Chamber Reaffirms Its Support for the UCR School of Medicine

The 35th Annual Mayor’s State of the
City Address was a tremendous success.
The Chamber would again like to thank
everyone who made this year’s event possible.
The Chamber would also like to congratulate
this year’s award winners including the 2011
Hero of the Year Award recipient, Mayor
Ronald Loveridge.
The Mayor’s 32 years of public service
reminds us of the importance of perseverance
and the value of optimism.
With state redevelopment agencies having
been officially dissolved, the plans for economic
development in the region are uncertain.
Nearing the end of his final term, and
in the midst of this challenge, the Mayor
continues to look ahead and see the promise
of Riverside and Inland Southern California.
The Chamber will follow this example in the
coming months as we work in support of
efforts to build a stronger local economy.
The release of the 2012-2013 budget proposal
has presented new obstacles on the road
to the completion of the UCR School of
Medicine. However, the Chamber understands
how important the School of Medicine is to
our region’s economy and quality of life.
It remains this region’s number one priority.
In addition to the economic benefits the
school will bring to the area, the opening
of the School of Medicine will help address
the concerns caused by our area being
medically underserved.
In January, the Chamber testified at the UC
Board of Regents meeting urging the approval
of funding that would enable the School
of Medicine to move forward. There is a
dramatic health care need in our community
and it is important to note that this is not
only a health care issue; it is also a social
justice issue.
The School of Medicine is an extremely
important investment for our area and the
Chamber will continue to stand by UCR
and support its efforts to open the school.
As Mayor Loveridge delivered his final
State of the City address, he imparted us
with invaluable advice concerning our
region’s efforts to improve our economy.
“The success of our future is closely tied
to being a university community—to wit,
UCR’s medical school.” We take this advice
seriously and look forward to applying
perseverance and
optimism to build
a stronger local
economy.