The city of Moreno Valley won the 2024 Cal Cities Partners Award for Excellence in City-Business Relations. Brian Mohan is the city manager for Moreno Valley. He can be reached at cmoffice@moval.org or (951) 413-3020. Watch this video for an overview of the project.

In bustling Moreno Valley, the daily commute isn’t just a routine — it’s a formidable challenge that significantly impacts people’s quality of life. At one point, nearly a quarter of Moreno Valley’s 211,000 residents were forced to spend over half an hour on the road, with more than 14,000 facing over an hour to get to work.

Hire MoVal, a pioneering local hiring initiative in the heart of the Inland Empire, is doing more than shortening commutes. It’s fostering local job growth, strengthening community bonds, and changing the perception that Moreno Valley is just a bedroom community.

“The Hire MoVal program is a testament to the power of partnership and community,” said Janet Epstein, office manager for the Moreno Valley Chamber of Commerce. “By encouraging local businesses to hire locally, the program boosts the economy and fosters a sense of belonging and pride among residents. We’re thrilled to see the positive changes in our city.”

Since the program’s 2015 launch, the city’s unemployment rate has dropped from over 11% during the 2008 Great Recession to 6% as of February 2024 — well below the regional average. The program has contributed to the creation of 35,000 new jobs in Moreno Valley in the last 12 years, providing meaningful employment opportunities for residents.

Why it matters

Studies show that spending several hours a week on the road to get to and from work can negatively affect people’s lives. People have less time to spend with their families, engage in the community, or even explore hobbies. Instead, they are burdened by fatigue, stress, and heightened levels of anxiety.

In Moreno Valley, residents also faced significant financial strains due to fuel and vehicle maintenance costs and parking fees. But the effects of long-distance commuting went beyond personal struggles: They impacted the city’s economy as well. As skilled workers left the city each day for jobs in other communities, potential local businesses lost valuable talent, hindering growth and innovation.

How it works

Hire MoVal is a program that incentivizes current and potential businesses to hire locally. Financial benefits to eligible local businesses include discounts on city power bills, waived business license fees, and direct financial benefits to companies. Veterans can also receive a $500 bonus for working with a local business.

Beyond providing direct financial benefits, Hire MoVal also provides local businesses with workforce development and training resources while working with government, education, and private partners to create job opportunities.

Jobs in transportation, warehousing, utilities, and wholesale trade account for nearly 60% of all new jobs, with positions in health care, government, leisure and hospitality, and retail sectors making up the rest.  

Perhaps most significantly, Hire MoVal has helped raise the average household income in Moreno Valley to over $109,000 — a 73% increase since the program’s inception.

But the benefits extend far beyond financial improvements. By reducing long commutes, Hire MoVal is helping residents achieve a greater work-life balance, fostering stronger community connections, and reducing carbon emissions from long-distance commuting.

“This award speaks to the heart of who we are as a community,” said Mayor Ulises Cabrera. “Hire MoVal is more than just a program — it’s a promise to our residents and businesses that we will continue to invest in their success. This award reflects our commitment to building a brighter future for all.”