CITY OF MENIFEE
SUBJECT: Adoption of the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS)
MEETING DATE: February 18, 2026
TO: Mayor and City Council
PREPARED BY: Kayla Charters, Economic Development Manager REVIEWED BY: Bryan Jones, Assistant City Manager
APPROVED BY: Armando G. Villa, City Manager
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
1. Adopt the Menifee Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS).
DISCUSSION
The proposed Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) provides a strategic framework to guide Menifee’s economic growth, resilience, and competitiveness over the next five years. A CEDS serves as the City’s primary economic development planning document that aligns local priorities with regional, state, and federal economic development objectives.
This proposed strategy reflects Menifee’s continued growth, evolving market conditions, and emerging economic opportunities. The proposed strategy builds upon prior efforts while establishing a forward-looking vision that supports job creation, business attraction and retention, workforce development, and quality of life for residents.
Background
The City of Menifee last adopted a five-year economic development strategy covering the 2019– 2024 period. While the City has successfully advanced many of the goals adopted in the 2019- 2024 CEDS, since that time, Menifee continues to evolve and elevate as new residents and businesses call the city home, bringing with them new ideas and initiatives. Menifee has also experienced significant population growth, increased development activity, infrastructure investment, and economic diversification, making it now the largest city in Southwest Riverside County. These changes, coupled with shifting regional and national economic conditions, necessitated an updated and more comprehensive approach for continued and intentional economic development planning.
City of Menifee Staff Report
Menifee CEDS Adoption
February 18, 2026
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In February 2025, the City initiated the development of a new Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). A CEDS is a federally recognized planning framework used by communities to evaluate economic conditions, identify strengths and challenges, and establish actionable strategies that support sustainable and inclusive economic growth. Adoption of a CEDS also positions the City to remain competitive for state and federal funding opportunities, including grants administered by the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA).
CEDS Development and Community Engagement
The proposed CEDS was developed through a collaborative and data-driven process led by City staff and the City’s consultant RSG, Inc., with significant input from community members, stakeholders, and regional partners. The planning process emphasized transparency, inclusivity, and alignment with Menifee’s long-term vision.
Key engagement and research efforts conducted between June and September 2025 included:
Community meetings to gather residents and businesses input on economic priorities, quality of life, and future growth.
Dedicated CEDS committee including broad spectrum of businesses, workforce development partners, education partners, and Menifee stakeholders. Stakeholder interviews with representatives from business, education, healthcare, workforce development, and regional partner organizations. Analysis of demographic, labor force, real estate, and economic trend data to assess current conditions and future opportunities.
This engagement confirmed strong community interest in expanding employment opportunities, attracting quality jobs, strengthening healthcare and education assets, supporting small businesses, and ensuring that economic growth enhances Menifee’s existing high-quality of life for residents.
CEDS Goals and Key Findings
Shaped through vast engagement with the local community and collaboration with City leaders and regional partners, the framework of the proposed CEDS was established. It is organized around seven core economic development themes and recommendations highlighted below:
Build Identity through placemaking and strategic development Intentionally concentrate mixed-use and destination-oriented development within key corridors to strengthen Menifee’s identity, increase land value (revenue/acre), and support long-term fiscal sustainability.
Expand local dining and entertainment
Attract diverse dining and entertainment options that create gathering places, reduce sales tax leakage, and reinforce and enhance the quality of life for residents. Grow local, mortgage-paying jobs
Prioritize the attraction and expansion of higher-wage employers that allow residents to live and work locally while supporting long-term household and economic stability.
City of Menifee Staff Report
Menifee CEDS Adoption
February 18, 2026
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Expand office and commercial space
Increase the supply of move-in-ready office and commercial space in strategic locations to support job growth, business attraction, and higher economic returns per acre. Build on Menifee’s skilled workforce
Strengthen partnerships between education, training providers, and employers to align workforce skills with high-growth industries and expand local career pathways. Invest in strategic infrastructure for economic development Advance targeted infrastructure investments within the CEDS project list that improve mobility, connectivity, and site readiness while aligning with economic development priorities and delivering strong returns on investment that enhance revenues and services. Advance a business-friendly and entrepreneurial community Foster a supportive business environment through streamlined processes, training, and partnerships that encourage entrepreneurship, innovation, and long-term business growth.
Implementation and Next Steps
Upon adoption, the CEDS will serve as a strategic guiding document for:
City economic development initiatives and work programs Coordination with regional economic development partners Grant and funding applications
Marketing and business recruitment efforts
Ongoing performance tracking and updates
The CEDS is intended to be a living document and will be annually reviewed and updated to ensure continued relevance.
Upon adoption of the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS), City staff will proceed with implementation and coordination efforts to advance the goals and recommendations outlined in the strategy.
STRATEGIC PLAN OBJECTIVE
Thriving Economy: The Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) aligns with the Thriving Economy objectives by providing a clear, data-driven framework to strengthen Menifee’s economic foundation through targeted business attraction, workforce development, infrastructure investment, and strategic land use planning. By aligning economic development efforts with community priorities and regional market conditions, the CEDS serves as an implementation tool for achieving a thriving, competitive, and resilient local economy.
City of Menifee Staff Report
Menifee CEDS Adoption
February 18, 2026
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FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with the recommended action.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Menifee Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy