Cal State partner reports ERC supported nearly 300 businesses and facilitated access to $50 million in capital

Dr. Ezekiel Bonillas, representing Cal State San Bernardino's School and Center for Entrepreneurship, briefed the Palm Desert City Council Sept. 25 on activities and results from the Palm Desert Entrepreneurial Resource Center (ERC). Bonillas said the ERC (formerly the iHub) operates in partnership with the city, Riverside County and other regional partners from a space near the Palm Desert campus. He said services include one-on-one counseling, access to capital facilitation, co-working space and programs such as a veterans entrepreneurship program, a Mini-MBA curriculum and workshops on business operations, marketing and human resources. For the fiscal period ending June 30, Bonillas reported the ERC had assisted nearly 300 businesses across the Coachella Valley, held 96 business events with over 1,200 attendees and facilitated close to $50 million in business capital through partners including AMPAC. He said the ERC's network has supported about 450 jobs and that 272 of the businesses assisted were women-owned. Bonillas also noted the launch of an AI Coachella Valley Center and new legal-counsel services for entrepreneurs. Bonillas told the council the ERC aims to reach $1 billion in economic impact by 2028 and said the center would continue expanding services for entrepreneurs at all stages. The council thanked the ERC and highlighted the partnership with Cal State. No council action was taken; the presentation was for information and recognition of local economic-development work.