California business growth depends on how well cities can position themselves in a competitive national landscape. In the latest episode of Capital Rivers Connect: California Edition, CEO of Capital Rivers Commercial Greg Aguirre speaks with Robin Reimold, President and CEO of TeamCalifornia, a nonprofit that supports cities and regions across the state in attracting and retaining businesses. From trade show representation to statewide collaboration, TeamCalifornia works behind the scenes to help California communities grow.
The conversation highlights how cities benefit from being part of a larger network — one that helps them tell their story, connect with site selectors, and navigate the evolving challenges of infrastructure, workforce, and incentives.
A Strategic Resource for California Communities
TeamCalifornia was originally launched through the Governor’s office more than two decades ago, with the goal of representing California’s local communities beyond what state agencies can do alone. As a nonprofit, it operates with more flexibility—able to attend more than 40 industry events annually, host receptions, and build direct relationships with decision-makers.
Cities and counties of all sizes benefit from TeamCalifornia’s representation. Many do not have the staff or budget to attend national trade shows or meet regularly with site selectors. TeamCalifornia fills that gap, ensuring smaller municipalities and rural counties have the same platform as larger metros.
Membership that Supports Local Leadership
TeamCalifornia is built on the belief that anyone who supports business expansion, retention, and attraction should have a seat at the table. Its members include cities, economic development corporations (EDCs), utilities, and private developers—anyone committed to growing local opportunity.
Members participate in monthly strategy calls, working groups, and debriefs after key events. This consistent engagement creates a real-time intelligence network. If a manufacturer is looking for a location or a data center needs alternative power access, members can quickly collaborate on solutions or refer leads to other cities that might be a better fit.
How California Cities Compete for Investment
Local business leaders and city representatives often wear many hats. In smaller cities, one person may be responsible for both business attraction and permit navigation. TeamCalifornia helps these professionals focus their message and promote their region more effectively.
Through trade shows like ICSC, World Ag Expo, and hydrogen and biotech conferences, TeamCalifornia elevates local communities onto national stages. Whether a city is looking to expand retail corridors, attract cold storage, or recruit clean tech startups, TeamCalifornia ensures the right audience hears that story.
Notably, many cities are represented at events even when they can’t attend in person. The organization brings marketing materials, talks with prospects, and reports back. This “force multiplier” approach allows cities to maintain a presence and generate leads year-round.
Solving Challenges Through Collaboration
Robin Reimold describes her role at TeamCalifornia as a connector. When communities run into barriers—whether it’s power availability, broadband expansion, or site readiness—TeamCalifornia helps identify partners who can solve them.
The value isn’t just in making introductions. It’s in proactively surfacing those problems in the first place. Businesses don’t always communicate directly with city staff. When TeamCalifornia hears about issues at an event, they can alert the relevant local teams and help resolve them quickly.
This function is critical for business retention. Companies considering relocation or expansion often need clarity on permitting, utilities, or incentives. TeamCalifornia helps communities respond quickly and stay competitive.
Building Trust Through a California Business Growth Strategy
A recurring theme in this episode is trust—between cities, developers, and site selectors. Members of TeamCalifornia routinely share leads with each other. If a project isn’t the right fit for one city, it may be ideal for another. The goal is to keep those opportunities in California.
This statewide mindset is rare, and Robin credits it to the culture of transparency and collaboration that TeamCalifornia fosters. Members gain more than contacts—they gain a sense of shared purpose and long-term partnership.
Greg Aguirre highlights how developers also benefit. With TeamCalifornia acting as a conduit, developers can more easily access city leaders, align timelines, and understand regional dynamics that affect feasibility.
Changing the Narrative Around California
Another insight from the conversation is the need to reframe how California is perceived. While headlines often focus on challenges, many communities are thriving—and have a clear plan for growth. TeamCalifornia helps communicate those local realities.
Instead of allowing the broader narrative to dominate, cities can share their workforce readiness, infrastructure investments, and available assets with national audiences. TeamCalifornia makes that possible through storytelling, trade show engagement, and ongoing promotion.
An Expanding Network with Long-Term Impact
As TeamCalifornia continues to expand its partnerships and event presence, the organization reinforces its long-term commitment to California business growth by empowering cities to compete more effectively.
Since taking the helm four years ago, Robin Reimold has led significant growth. Membership has tripled, and engagement is higher than ever. As new cities join and long-time members deepen their involvement, the organization continues to evolve as a key strategic ally.
TeamCalifornia’s growth reflects a broader shift: cities recognizing the need to compete collectively, not just individually. In a state as diverse and complex as California, collaboration isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a competitive advantage.
Listen to the full episode of Capital Rivers Connect to hear how TeamCalifornia supports business growth across California.
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