IE Business Daily Business news for the Inland Empire.
The California Air Resources Board has broken ground on a headquarters and testing laboratory near UC Riverside.
The project, which will cost $419 million to develop, is expected to create approximately 460 high-paying jobs, according to a statement.
“This is a momentous day in Riverside as we break ground on a project that will not just create quality jobs, but also attract additional attention from companies that want to be near the CARB facility,” Mayor Rusty Bailey said in the statement on the city’s website.
“More than 60 years ago, UCR opened its doors and changed the face of Riverside, and this project continues the momentum of knowledge-based innovation in Riverside.”
Dozens of local, state and federal officials attended the ground breaking ceremony, which was held Friday. Construction on the vehicle-testing facility, which will cover about 380,000 square feet, is expected to start early next year.
The air resources board’s new operation will be on the west side of Iowa Avenue between University Avenue and Martin Luther King Boulevard.
“The choice to come here speaks volumes about the growing importance of our region,” said John Tavaglione, chairman of the Riverside County Boar of Supervisors, in the statement. “Through collaboration, we are able to welcome an important new partner that will benefit from nearby university research as it continues its mission to improve California air quality.”
