State’s Leading Economic Development Group Recognizes City
Moreno Valley, CA – The California Association for Local Economic Development (CALED) has named the City of Moreno Valley the winner of the 2018 Programs Award of Excellence for the Moreno Valley College Initiative/Hire MoVal. Award winners will be recognized at the Celebrating Success Awards to be held Friday, March 16 at CALED’s 38th Annual training conference.
The Moreno Valley College Promise initiative was created to help fund the first year of community college for first time students. The program offers free tuition, fees and textbooks (not covered by financial aid) for the first year of college. The program also offers priority registration to ensure 12-15 units per semester and a Comprehensive Student Educational Plan (CSEP) that maps out classes from the first semester to the last, based on the student’s educational plan. During the first year, an assigned student success coach serves as a resource and provides structured support, enabling completion of degree and/or transfer units. Priority is given to graduates from any high school within Moreno Valley Unified and Val Verde Unified School Districts.
In an effort to strengthen and support the program, under the leadership of the Mayor and the City Council, the City approved an agreement to match the College’s efforts and pledged $50,000 to pay for the second year of college for Moreno Valley residents attending Moreno Valley College.
In the first year the program, the Moreno Valley Promise initiative funded over 500 students and provided additional services strengthening that student’s chances for degree completion while at the same time increasing educational attainment, a vital metric used by economic developers and expanding businesses.
“Partnering with Moreno Valley College on vital programs such as Hire MoVal and the College Promise Initiative is vital to the future economic vitality of our community,” said Mayor Yxstian Gutierrez. “By helping to eliminate barriers to college attainment we invest in the most valuable asset in our community—our youth.”
Students interested in participating in the College Promise Program are encouraged to visit http://www.mvc.edu/promise for program details. Students are also encouraged to visit the College’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) program at https://mvc.edu/academics/more-ways/career-technical-education/index.php to browse associate and degree and certificate program offerings in on-demand programs such as Business and Information Technology, Health and Human Services and Public Safety.
In addition, to the College Promise Program the City also offers the Hire A Grad program, an incentive that allows Moreno Valley employers to receive up to $5,000 for hiring Moreno Valley residents. Businesses interested in hiring Moreno Valley grads should call the City of Moreno Valley at 951.413.3475 or email hiremoval@moval.org.
For more information about the Hire MoVal program or to learn more about developing a commercial or retail location in Moreno Valley, please visit www.morenovalleybusiness.com and contact the Economic Development Department at EDTeam@moval.org or at 951.413.3460.
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