A Better Class Limousine Service offers corporate, private, and airport transportation services at competitive rates. They guarantee a quality ride with comfort, clean, and smoke-free vehicles.

For more than 30 years,  A Better Class Limousine Service has continued to serve the area with a commitment to value and service. They have the expertise to assure the luxury limo ride you deserve, as their skilled drivers transport you in the finest and most current limousine fleet in the Southern California area.

A Better Class Limousine Service offers vehicles that seat from 4 to 9 adults comfortably. Their goal is to create memories that last a lifetime and they accomplish it through luxury rides accented with complementary beverages, presidential motorcades, friendly and experienced chauffeurs… And we also offer weekly specials.

Whether you’re coming in for a business meeting or leaving for vacation, they offer airport transportation to all of the airports in the area. A private sedan can take you to or pick you up from any private airfield or airport including:

•   LAX • John Wayne Airport • San Diego Airport	•   Redlands Airport • Big Bear Airport • Bermuda Dunes	•   Riverside Airport • Palm Spring Airport • Long Beach Airport

For the professional business traveler, A Better Limousine Service can provide corporate transportation services. Available around the clock, simply call and let them know when you will be leaving for your destination or returning and they will make sure you get to all your connections on time. Corporate specials and presidential motorcades are available.

For a quality ride in style, choose A Better Class Limousine Service. Call for more information at 792-5356 or log on to www.abclimoserviceca.com . Find out about their Sunday through Thursday specials.

Economic development is one of the most important priorities to the City of Redlands.  The health of our community is, in large part, reliant on the health of our business community.  For this reason the City offers a number of programs and services in partnership with the business community designed to assist existing businesses, encourage entrepreneurs and attract new businesses.

Below is a summary of the many ways the City works with our business partners to create and sustain a vibrant business environment.

Loan Programs

Microenterprise Assistance Grant Program

The MAP Grant provides grants in amounts ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 to eligible businesses that want to establish a business or expand an existing business located within the City of Redlands.  This is a grant, and does not have to be repaid as long as all program terms are met.  The objective of the Microenterprise Assistance Program (MAP) Grant is to fulfill a need in the community; create opportunity for the establishment and expansion of microenterprise businesses within the City of Redlands; to create quality jobs, principally benefitting employees in the low-to-moderate income levels; and to preserve and expand the City’s tax base.

Economic Development Loan Program

The EDLP provides loans in amounts ranging from $25,000 to $150,000 to eligible businesses that want to establish a business or expand an existing business located within the City of Redlands. The loan must be 100% collateralized and be personally guaranteed by the borrower.  The objective of the Economic Development Loan Program (EDLP) is to fulfill a need in the community; create opportunity for the establishment and expansion of businesses within the City of Redlands; to create quality jobs, principally benefitting employees in the low-to-moderate income levels; and to preserve and expand the City’s tax base.

Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Financing Program

The PACE Program is an energy efficiency, property-assessed, financing program designed to help commercial property owners improve their properties and realize the money-saving benefits of energy efficiency, renewable energy and water conservation upgrades with $0 down.  The program provides property owners financing for energy projects that may not be suited for traditional funding vehicles. PACE financing also helps cities and counties create jobs, spur economic development and meet their AB 32 goals utilizing no public monies.

Business Programs & Services

One-Stop Permit Center

The City of Redlands One Stop Permit Center offers a single place for businesses and developers to submit and coordinate projects and plan checks to ensure efficient and effective service and support from Building and Safety, Planning and Engineering personnel.  The One-StopPermitCenter allows for added convenience and the streamlining of activities related to plan submittals/checks, permit applications and providing information for businesses, developers and residents.

Business Consulting and Workshops

Through a partnership with SCORE (Service Corp of Retired Executives), the City provides free one-on-one business counseling and monthly business workshops (free and fee-based) to existing and prospective business owners.  Business workshops include information on Starting a Business, Financing, Marketing and other specialized topics.

Site Selection Assistance

The Economic Development Division can assist potential business investors, site selectors and real estate professionals with identifying potential business sites within the City of Redlands including providing information such as site-specific demographics, traffic counts, etc.

California Manufacturing Technology Consulting (CMTC) Services

Through a partnership with CMTC, manufacturers can receive free assistance and assessments for creating solutions for the improvement of business performance by fostering innovation and sharing knowledge. Manufacturing assessment services provided by CMTC are free to applicants; fees are charged to implement specific improvements.

Business Visitation Program

As part of the City’s business retention/economic gardening efforts, the Economic Development Division will be implementing a new Business Visitation Program in 2013.  This effort is designed to 1.) Introduce City staff to existing business owners; 2.) Identify and assist business owners with potential business-related issues; 3.) Provide information/tools to assist business owners in growing and expanding their businesses.

Business Communications

The Economic Development Division will be implementing a new business tool designed to keep the business community, potential business investors, media and other interested individuals informed about business-related news, activities and opportunities in the City of Redlands.  The monthly business brief will highlight new projects, business news and real estate opportunities, and will be free to recipients.

Online Market Analysis Tool

A collaborative effort between the City, Chamber of Commerce and Esri, this web-based tool allows both existing businesses and businesses considering locating to the City an online tool for analyzing the market area of a selected site.  The tool is free to all users, and ensures that potential business investors can identify and analyze the best locations and opportunities available in Redlands for their business.

Mills Act

The Mills Act is an economic incentive program in California for the restoration and preservation of qualified historic buildings by private property owners. Enacted in 1972, the Mills Act legislation grants participating cities and counties the authority to enter into contracts with owners of qualified historic properties who actively participate in the rehabilitation, restoration, preservation, and maintenance of their historic properties. Property taxes are recalculated using a formula in the Mills Act and State Revenue and Taxation Code. The average savings for individual properties under the Mills Act contract is between 20 and 60 percent.  The full amount of the tax savings received by the property owners must be used to finance the preservation, maintenance and improvements to the property.

City of Redlands Market Night

The weekly market night (farmer’s market and vendor market) allows local businesses/vendors an opportunity to participate and promote their businesses to community residents and visitors from other communities.  In addition to business activities, the event typically features entertainment and a festive atmosphere that not only promotes local businesses but local tourism, as well, through the introduction of a unique downtown experience and the many restaurants and boutique businesses that comprise the downtown district.

If you are interested in learning more about any of these available programs or have suggestions for other ways the City can promote a vibrant business community, please contact the Economic Development office at (909) 335-4755 or by email at redteam@cityofredlands.org

ALL-STAR ENGRAVING

Renie De Hoog

1094 No. Wabash, Building 1

Redlands, CA  92374

Phone:  389-9988

 

AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY DISCOVERY SHOP

Alexis Spencer

1534 Barton Road

Redlands, CA  92373

Phone:  307-8900

 

BIG MIKE’S PLUMBING & ROOTER

Neli Byrd

268 W. Cluster Street

San Bernardino, CA  92408

Phone:  888-8736

 

BRENNA HAMARICK-STOTTS DDS, INC.

Brenna Hamriack-Stotts

1150 Brookside Avenue, Suite T

Redlands, CA  92373

Phone:  793-9711

 

CHRIST THE KING LUTHERAN PRESCHOOL

Christine Brents

1505 So. Ford Street

Redlands, CA  92373

Phone:  793-8722

 

COLDREN’S CLEANING CREW, INC.

David Coldren

P. O. Box 8181

Redlands, CA  92375

Phone:  215-2533

 

COLDWELL BANKER COMM-LAZAR & ASSOCIATES

Rick Lazar

1901 Orange Tree Lane, Suite 250

Redlands, CA  92374

Phone:  793-3600

 

CONNECTION TO CRUISE

Marlys & George Aballi

Redlands, CA  92373

Phone:  798-9133

 

EMERSON & FARRAR

Paul Emerson

27 E. State Street

Redlands, CA  92373

Phone:  798-5888

 

FAMILY SERVICES OF REDLANDS

Cheryl Heensen

612 Lawton Street

Redlands, CA  92373

Phone:  793-2673

 

FIGGINS REALTORS

Bob Ramos

Redlands, CA  92373

Phone:  793-2861

 

HCH CONSTRUCTION

Frances Carter

404 E. Stuart

Redlands, CA  92374

Phone:  793-3022

 

HUB INTERNATIONAL INSURANCE SERVICES

Martin Davis

470 E. Highland Avenue

Redlands, CA  92373

Phone:  793-2373

 

IMAGINE SYSTEMS, INC.

Nicole Campbell

1730 Plum Lane, Suite A

Redlands, CA  92374

Phone:  792-9063

 

INLAND EMPIRE RESIDENTIAL CENTERS

Penny Radtke

710 Church

Redlands, CA  92374

Phone:  798-0823

 

INLAND SURGERY CENTER

Jacquelin Belcher

1620 Laurel Avenue

Redlands, CA  92373

Phone:  793-4701

 

KW COMMERCIAL – J. JEFFRY DILL

J. Jeffry Dill

18 E. State Street, Suite 205

Redlands, CA  92373

Phone:  809-8181

 

McDONALD’S RESTAURANTS

Dick Shalhaub

612 E. Redlands Blvd

Redlands, CA  92373

Phone:  793-1516

 

MIRAU, EDWARDS, CANNON, LEWIN & TOOKE

Mark Edwards

1806 Orange Tree Lane, Suite C

Redlands, CA  92374

Phone:  793-0200

 

OFFICE DEPOT

Cheryl Peetz

602 Orange

Redlands, CA  92374

Phone:  793-2563

 

REDLANDS CYCLERY USA

Craig Kundig

415-A Tennessee Street

Redlands, CA  92373

Phone:  792-2444

 

ROSE GARDEN RESIDENTIAL CARE

Karen Marangakis

1350 No. Wabash

Mentone, CA  92359

Phone:  794-1040

 

STORAGE WEST

Brina Limon

1680 W. Redlands Blvd

Redlands, CA  92373

Phone:  792-5761

 

SUPERIOR ROOFING

Harry Kylkema

520 E. Stuart

Redlands, CA  92374

Phone:  792-3681

 

T.A.B.S INC.

Ron Drake

155 W. Hospitality Lane, Suite 123

San Bernardino, CA  92408

Phone:  890-2434

 

UNITED MOVING & STORAGE

Jeremy Williams

5015 Hallmark Parkway

San Bernardino, CA  92407

Phone:  880-8284

 

University of Redlands

Dr. Ralph Kunci

1200 E. Colton Avenue

Redlands, CA  92374

Phone:  748-8390

 

WYATT VIDEO

Bill Wyatt

31 W. Stuart Avenue

Redlands, CA  92374

Phone:  876-7163

 

Starting in 2014, almost everyone will be required to be insured or pay a fine. There are subsidies to help people who can’t afford coverage. Most employers will face fines if they don’t offer coverage for their workers. Newly created insurance markets will make insurance accessible for individuals and small businesses. And Medicaid will be expanded to cover more low-income people.

Insurers will be prohibited from denying coverage to people with medical problems or charging those people more.  An assortment of tax increases health industry fees and Medicare cuts will help pay for the changes.

The following may help you answer questions that you might have and help you better understand your role as an employer as the 2014 Federal ACA mandate approaches.

Does the employer have at least 50 full time equivalent employees?

If NO  Penalties do not apply to small employers

{If the employer has 25 or fewer employees and average wages up to $50,000.00 it may be eligible for a Health insurance tax credit.}

If YES  Does the employer offer coverage to its workers?

If NO   Did at least 1 employee receive a premium tax credit or cost sharing subsidy in an exchange?

If YES  The employer must pay a penalty for not offering coverage.

{The penalty is $2000 annually times this number of full-time employees minus 30. The penalty

 is increased each year by the growth in insurance premiums.}

 

Does the insurance pay for at least 60% of covered health care expenses for a typical population?

If NO   Employees can choose to buy coverage in an Exchange and receive a premium tax credit.

The employer must pay a penalty for not offering affordable coverage.

{The penalty is $3000 annually for each full time employee receiving a tax credit up to a maximum of$2000 times the number of full time employees minus 30. The penalty is increased    each year by the growth in insurance premiums.}

If YES  Do any employees have to pay more than 9.5% of family income for employer coverage?

If YES  Those employees can choose to buy coverage in an Exchange and receive a premium tax credit.   The employer must pay a penalty for not offering affordable coverage.

{The penalty is $3000 annually for each full time employee receiving a tax credit up to a  maximum of $2000 times the number of full time employees minus 30. The penalty is increased    each year by the growth in insurance premiums.}

If NO   There is no penalty payment required of employer since it offers affordable coverage.

 

March, in like a lion, out like a lamb. You probably won’t get this unless you come from the cold North or East, in Redlands it is more like, in like a navel, out like an avocado March. This is my third message, the time certainly is going quickly. Just about the time I get comfortable in my roll as “Queen”, it will be time to abdicate.

I attended the Feb. 20th City Council meeting to voice Chamber support of the underpass improvement program. The areas targeted for improvements are the underpasses at Eureka St, along Pearl Ave to the Orange and 6^th Street underpasses. The improvements include upgraded lighting, landscaping, and murals painted on the underpasses. The results of these improvements will enhance the downtown shopping areas and welcome visitors and businesses looking to locate in Redlands. This project will also connect North and South Redlands serving as a conduit to what has long been perceived as a physical division through the center of town. Council directed staff to begin the development process to begin the enhancements.

At the last chamber of commerce board meeting, we set the wheels in motion for our Fantastically Fun Fundraisers. The first on the calendar is our third annual and very popular Cruisin’ Cuisine. If you are not familiar with this event, it showcases ten local restaurants with samplings from their menus. Ticket holders are given a wrist band and walk to each restaurant in no particular order. The event is limited to 200 and I have already sold 4 tickets even though they are not yet printed. It’s a fun way to discover new eateries in and fabulous menus in Redlands.  So, if you want to eat your way through downtown Redlands, buy your tickets or reserve your tickets now before they are sold out! This event will be held Saturday, June 8.

Our second next fabulous event brand new and promises to be all kinds of fun…it’s a “Black Tie” evening at the Bowl. What is so different about that you may ask? Well, it is not the Redlands Bowl, but the Empire Bowl! Yes, that’s right, you will get all glammed up to go bowling…for BLACK TIE BOWLING!!!.

Step out on the red carpet in your gorgeous gown and your dashing tux…. Dine on delectable hors d’oeuvres then slip into your bobby socks and bowling shoes and toss your ball down the alley hoping for a strike!!!! With limited space get your team of 5 together and don’t delay. The Chamber’s Black Tie Bowling will be scheduled in October so start warming up now and call Jan at the chamber to reserve your alley. We have been unsuccessful in procuring land to wallow in the mud, so we decided to take it to the streets in electrical splendor! Kathie Thurston and I went to Irvine in December 2012 to watch their Electric run and it was phenomenal…they had 9000 runners! We don’t have the details hammered out on this one yet, but it will be in December. We will keep all you runners that want to get lit at the Redlands 5K, posted watch for details.

This is all the Queen has to report until April.

The Queen