The City of Hemet is thrilled to be your partner in investment, growth, and economic success. Nestled in the breathtakingly beautiful Hemet/San Jacinto Valley, we are eager to support you in opening and expanding your business.

Hemet is actively focusing on Economic Development to create a bright and prosperous future for our residents and businesses alike. Our strategic approach and vision for growth encompass a wide range of programs to attract new businesses, generate employment opportunities, and elevate the community’s overall economic landscape.

We are investing in state-of-the-art infrastructure, championing entrepreneurship, and fostering innovation to transform Hemet into a thriving hub for commerce and a vibrant region for everyone. Whether you are a budding entrepreneur or an established enterprise, the City of Hemet is excited to help you realize your business dreams and contribute to the economic vitality of our community.

Join us in making Hemet the place where businesses flourish and opportunities abound!

What's New?

Commercial Façade Improvement Grant Program (CBDG)Hemet-San Jacinto Valley Entrepreneur Fast Pitch Competition 4/20 2026 Hemet Regional Economic SummitVehicle Dealership Tax Sharing & Economic ProgramWanderlust Food Truck FestivalJob LeadsEconomic Development Strategic Plan "Hemet RISES"

The Hemet City Council unanimously approved the City's new economic strategy, Hemet RISES (Resurgent Investment Strategy for Economic Success). The City's strategy promotes business retention and expansion, positions Hemet for strategic investments, and ensures a business-friendly development experience. https://ca-hemet.civicplus.com/1255/Hemet-RISES-Economic-Development-Strateg

Discover Hemet

Discover Inland Empire

The Inland Empire has quickly become a global must-visit destination in Southern California. With iconic settings inspiring countless visitors to hike and star-gaze, the Inland Empire has become the Heartbeat of California, and continues to inspire thousands to explore the beautiful outdoors and contribute to our American culture. Learn more at: https://discoverie.com/

10Lake Valley

10Lake Valley is Southern California’s newest tourism destination, spanning 214 square miles of epic Southwest Riverside County. 10 breathtaking lakes. 8 thriving communities. Endless adventure! https://10lakevalley.com/destinations/hemet/

Take the Hemet Citywide Business Survey!

https://forms.office.com/g/KMxsCtW0HM

Available Commercial Buildings

https://bit.ly/3wmvNV5

Business Zoning Map

https://www.hemetca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/5289/official-zoning-map1222019?bidId

City Business Programs

Downtown Kitchen Grant

The Hemet Downtown Kitchen Grant Program is a strategic initiative designed to revitalize the heart of Hemet by fostering a thriving culinary scene. Recognizing the profound impact of a vibrant food scene on a community's economic vitality, social fabric, and overall quality of life, this program aims to support the establishment and expansion of high-quality restaurants within the designated Downtown Hemet district. The Hemet Kitchen Grant offers financial assistance to aspiring restaurateurs in the Hemet Downtown District. This program aims to stimulate economic growth and revitalize the area by supporting the creation of new culinary businesses. Specifically, the grant provides funding of up to $300,000 to cover the costs associated with building a restaurant kitchen. To qualify, applicants must demonstrate a 20% financial commitment as a matching contribution towards the project. Downtown Kitchen Grant Program Guidelines

Automobile and Vehicle Dealership Tax Sharing & Economic Program

The City of Hemet has adopted a new ordinance to establish a Sales Tax Sharing and Economic Development Program, primarily aimed at supporting automobile and other vehicle dealerships. The City recognizes that these dealerships are crucial for local employment and generate significant sales tax revenue, which funds essential public services like police, fire, and street maintenance. Agreements are capped at a percentage of the sales tax generated by the dealership, with a maximum reimbursement of $7.5 million for existing dealerships and $10 million for new ones, over a term not exceeding 20 years. Importantly, these incentives are contingent upon verifiable public benefits and cannot be used to subsidize dealerships relocating from within the City's market area. City Council Ordinance No. 2056

Commercial Façade Improvement Grant Program

The Commercial Façade Improvement Grant Program (CFIGP) is a new City of Hemet business incentive program to enhance the physical appearance and attract new visitors to the City’s major commercial corridors. The Program offers two types of façade improvement grants, as well as up ten (10) hours of architectural fees and five (5) hours of design assistance to alleviate up-front design costs. The City Council has appropriated $450,000 in Fiscal Year 2023-24 and the draft Fiscal Year 2024-25 budget includes an additional $450,000 toward this program. Applications will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis. The long-term objective is to upgrade and improve the physical appearance of businesses, encouraging retention of existing businesses, increasing property values, and improved business vitality. Grant Program Letter

Hotel Investment Program

The Hotel Investment Program is designed to encourage investment in the local hotel industry, supporting the renovation of existing hotel assets and constructing a new downtown hotel. The City aims to increase tax revenues, including hotel, property and sales tax, through the program, while improving the community’s lodging amenities. The adopted ordinance outlines specific participation requirements and incentives for hotel operators, including 25-year and 30-year hotel tax increment-sharing arrangements,  representing one of the State of California’s most competitive tax increment-sharing arrangements. The Hotel Investment Program will be in place for five years unless extended by the City Council. Hotel Investment Program Flyer, Ordinance No. 2024-2028

Trash Enclosure Grant Program

The City of Hemet is proud to introduce the Trash Enclosure Pilot Program, an innovative initiative designed to transform the aesthetics and functionality of commercial waste disposal in our community. This program is a key component of Hemet's Safe and Clean Streets Initiative, aiming to reduce blight, increase safety, and promote a sustainable environment. https://www.hemetca.gov/1139/Trash-Enclosure-Pilot-Program

Filming Opportunities

The City of Hemet has partnered with the California Film Commission to offer filming incentives in the City of Hemet. Hemet is the gateway to breathtaking natural outdoor resources and filming locations with Diamond Valley Lake, Hemet Train Depot, Lake Hemet which offer various camping, boating, kayaking, and fishing activities. The City also operates 12 along with over 30 miles of hiking and biking trails. https://film.ca.gov/

Storefront Vandalism Relief Program

The City of Hemet is proud to introduce the Storefront Vandalism Relief Program, a dedicated initiative designed to extend a helping hand to our local small businesses and non-profit organizations. With an allocation of $200,000 from Undesignated General Fund Reserves, this program aims to alleviate the financial burdens caused by acts of vandalism, thereby contributing to the resilience and prosperity of our community. https://www.hemetca.gov/vrp

Business Solution Tools 

Southern California Edison

SCE, also known as Southern California Edison, offers a variety of services for businesses. Some of the key services include electricity, natural gas, energy efficiency programs, renewable energy, and customer service. In addition to these core services, SCE also offers a number of other services for businesses, such as billing and payment options, energy management tools, and financing options. https://www.sce.com/business

Department of Rehabilitation (DOR)

DOR hiring practices are designed to locate candidates with disabilities using the most effective talent pools, and they have created several training programs meant to assist in making your business more disability-friendly and accessible. With disability awareness trainings, and information on tax incentives/credits, DOR truly partners to help with making your business more integrated and powerful than ever before. https://www.dor.ca.gov/Home/businessEmployer

MicroEnterprise Collaborative

Serves as the portal to small businesses to support and offer resources in the Inland Southern California and connect small business owners to the help and support they need to start and run successful businesses. https://microbizinsocal.org

Hemet/San Jacinto Valley Chamber of Commerce

Provides policy analysis, legal advice, meetings with leaders in business & government through would-class events and intimate gatherings, and equip them with tools and resources to help Hemet businesses succeed.  https://hemetsanjacintochamber.com/

GO-BIZ

The Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) serves as the State of California’s leader for job growth, economic development and business assistance efforts. GO-BIZ offers at no-cost consultation for incentive identification, site selection, regulatory or permitting compliance assistance, foreign direct investment and export assistance. https://business.ca.gov

Small Business and Self-Employed Tax Center

Resources for businesses who filed a Form 1040 or 1040-SR, Schedules C, E, F or Form 2106, as well as small businesses with assets under $10 million. https://www.irs.gov/businesses

Small Business Administration (SBA) 

An independent agency of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist, and protect the interests of small business concerns, to preserve free competitive enterprise and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of our nation. We recognize that small business is critical to our economic recovery and strength, to building America's future, and to helping the United States compete in today's global marketplace. https://www.sba.gov/

Employment Training Panel (ETP)

Provides funding to employers to assist in upgrading the skills of their workers through training that leads to good paying, long-term jobs. The ETP was created in 1982 by the California State Legislature and is funded by California employers through a special payroll tax. The ETP is a funding agency, not a training agency. Businesses determine their own training needs and how to provide training. ETP staff is available to assist in applying for funds and other aspects of participation. https://etp.ca.gov/

SCORE

Offers area-specific advice at no cost (financing, human resources, business planning) via email, telephone and video. SCORE mentors are all experts in entrepreneurship & related fields and provides a wide range of services including training, webinars, online workshops, courses on demand, and a library of online resources. https://www.score.org

Workforce Development Board

Develop and deliver innovative workforce investment services and strategies for employers, which may include career pathways, skills upgrading, skill standard development and certification for recognized postsecondary credential or other employer use, apprenticeship, and other effective initiatives for meeting the workforce investment needs of area employers and workers. https://rivcoworkforce.org/workforce-development-board

Small Business Development Centers (SBDC)

Provides expert-led training for small business owners, assisting them turn their ideas into successful enterprises and in-person/virtual training, designed to help businesses along each stage of the entrepreneurial journey. https://www.californiasbdc.org

Small Business Amazon

Learn business on-demand courses available anytime, anywhere, tailored to your business stage. Dive into our comprehensive library of business courses, podcasts, webinars, live Q&As, events, and more at no-cost. https://www.smallbusiness.amazon/

Business Concierge Program

The City of Hemet offers business concierge services to assist you in opening and growing your business.  Please contract us today to discuss helping in any of the following ways: 

• Business Recruitment
• Business Retention
• Conduct Business Visitations
• Business Stakeholder Roundtables
• Conduct Targeted Industry Studies, and Labor Market Surveys
• Create and Implement Marketing Strategies
• Community Relations 
• Monitor Vacant Parcels/Buildings 
• Create and Manage Business Incentive Programs 
• Assistance with Business Social Media 
• Assistance with Business Grand Openings