fresno Competitors

From its founding in 1777 as California's first city, San José has been a leader driven by its spirit of innovation. Today, San José stands as the largest city in Northern California and the Capital of Silicon Valley—the world's leading center of technology innovation. San José is the 10th largest in the U.S., and is committed to remaining a top-ranked place to do business, work, live, play and learn. San José is located in Santa Clara County at the southern edge of the San Francisco Bay, about 50 miles south of San Francisco, 390 miles north of Los Angeles. The local weather is hard to beat with moderate year-round temperatures. Residents enjoy 300 days of sunshine each year and an average annual temperature of 70 degrees. The City of San José operates under the council-manager form of government, a system that combines the policy leadership of elected officials in the form of a city council, with the managerial expertise of an appointed city manager.

Founded in 1849, the City of Sacramento is the oldest incorporated city in California. In 1920, Sacramento city voters adopted a City Charter (municipal constitution) and a City Council Manager form of government, which is still being used today. The City Council consists of a Mayor, elected by all City voters, and eight Council members, elected to represent separate districts in the City. Each Council member is required to live in the district they represent. The Mayor and Council members serve four-year terms. Elections are staggered. The Council establishes city policies, ordinances and land uses; approves the City’s annual budget, contracts, and agreements; hears appeals of decisions made by city staff or citizen advisory groups, and appoints four Council Officers: a City Manager, City Attorney, City Treasurer, and City Clerk. Council members serve on several working committees, which include Transportation and Community Development, Law and Legislation, and Personnel and Public Employees. The Mayor and Council members receive an annual salary and benefits. The City Council holds public meetings most Tuesday afternoons and evenings, at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. respectively, in the City Council Chamber on the first floor of City Hall, located at 915 I Street. The Council also holds special meetings and committee meetings, which are open to the public. Agendas for City Council and Council Committee meetings are available in the City Clerk’s Office, 1st Floor, in the Historic City Hall building. The Mayor and City Council Offices are located in City Hall on the fifth Floor.

The rapidly growing City of Riverside currently ranks as the 12th largest city in California, 6th in Southern California, and is the largest city in one of the fastest growing regions in the United States. It is home to four internationally recognized universities and colleges which support 50,000+ students. The University of California, Riverside, California Baptist University, La Sierra University, and Riverside Community College, offer specialized training, research partnerships, and a high-technology environment to support emerging and innovative companies. As an important financial and professional center, Riverside offers the support of numerous legal, accounting, brokerage, architectural, engineering and technology firms as well as banking institutions. It is also the county seat for the fastest growing county in California. Businesses also benefit from an exceptional freeway system, BNSF and UPSP rail access, high-speed fiberoptic telecommunications, city-owned electrical and water systems, and a large corporate jet and general aviation airport.