Growth across the Inland Empire continues to bring new housing, businesses and development to communities throughout San Bernardino and Riverside counties. For Grand Terrace, the challenge is maintaining the qualities residents value while preparing for the community’s future.
Grand Terrace occupies a distinctive position between larger neighboring cities while maintaining a predominantly residential, small-city identity. That character has long been part of its appeal for residents who appreciate having access to the broader Inland Empire while living in a smaller community.
Future development can bring benefits, including new shopping and dining choices, employment opportunities and additional investment in the local economy. At the same time, development decisions can raise questions about traffic, infrastructure, public services and compatibility with existing neighborhoods.
Those considerations make public participation particularly important. City Council and Planning Commission meetings provide residents with opportunities to learn about proposals and offer input before important decisions are made.
Supporting existing businesses is another part of maintaining a healthy local economy. When residents shop and dine locally, more economic activity remains within the community while local businesses gain opportunities to build lasting relationships with customers.
Grand Terrace has changed since becoming an incorporated city in 1978, and additional change is inevitable as Southern California continues to evolve. The task ahead is ensuring that growth contributes to the community rather than diminishing the qualities that make it distinctive.
For Grand Terrace, thoughtful planning and resident involvement can help the city move forward while preserving the close-knit community identity generations of residents have worked to build.