City Officials Take A 'Business Walk' Through Lake Elsinore

LAKE ELSINORE, CA — If you saw city officials strolling Lake Elsinore shops, stores and businesses, they were taking a walk. According to a recent news release, a Business Walk is a combined initiative to foster local economic growth and support citywide business retention.

The City of Lake Elsinore collaborated with the Lake Elsinore Valley Chamber of Commerce to gauge what storeowners are facing in 2025.

During this year's Business Walk, City staff, Chamber representatives, and community partners visited a randomized selection of businesses across Lake Elsinore to gain direct insights into the experiences, challenges, and opportunities facing local business owners. According to a city spokesperson, the initiative's primary goal was to listen, engage, and identify actionable steps to support and empower the small business community.

How else can you learn what businesses need without getting out to see for yourself? Gina Gonzalez, Director of Economic Development for the City of Lake Elsinore, said that this is the most important part.

“These walks are an essential tool for understanding the heartbeat of our local economy,” Gonzalez said. “By speaking directly with business owners, we strengthen relationships and collect valuable, real-time feedback that guides our economic development strategies.”

The Business Walk revealed key areas of concern and opportunity, including workforce development, infrastructure improvements, enhanced marketing support, and the need for more streamlined permitting processes. These insights will shape targeted solutions and inform resource allocation.

Kim Cousins, President/CEO of the Lake Elsinore Valley Chamber of Commerce, spoke on what the 'Business Walk' will do for area store owners.

“This initiative enables the Chamber and the City to proactively address the evolving needs of our local business community,” Cousins said. “Our small businesses are the backbone of Lake Elsinore’s economy, and this effort ensures they receive the support needed to thrive.”

A detailed report outlining the findings from the 2025 Business Walk will be presented to the Lake Elsinore City Council in June 2025.

The report will serve as a roadmap for future economic development initiatives and policy planning, according to the city.

For more information about the Business Walk or upcoming economic development programs, please get in touch with the Lake Elsinore Economic Development Team at www.DreamLE.org or the Lake Elsinore Valley Chamber of Commerce at www.lakeelsinorechamberofcommence.com.