Business View Magazine | September 2019

191 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2019 from the river since the 1850s, but we’re seeing that the water quality is becoming worse and worse as time goes on. So, in order to preserve our intake, we’re in the process of designing and getting permitting for this desalination plant. The plant will create a sustainable source of water for business and residents, regardless of whether we have a drought or not. In our last drought in California, the Governor started putting restrictions on how much water people could use and we kind of dodged a bullet by having it be a four-year, rather than a longer, drought. But, in the future, we expect that there are going to be more frequent and maybe, longer droughts, and with that, we will have one of the few sources of water in the state that will be sustainable, high quality, and affordable. We have a certified EIR (Environmental Information Regulations), we’re in the preliminary design stage, and we’re currently going through the permitting process with all the resource agencies. I’m expecting it to go online in 2021.” With a strong and growing residential, retail, and commercial base, much available and affordable land for new business and housing, a recently completed connection to the area’s mass transit line, four designated Opportunity Zones that offer tax incentives for new business development, and a willing and able City administration, Antioch is poised for considerable and sustainable growth. Bernal concludes, “The potential businesses and users will find a staff that is readily available and very helpful in trying to make their project successful.” Reed adds some final words for the city where opportunity lives: “We are business-friendly, business-ready, and we’re looking for companies that want a greater opportunity for themselves. They can find it here in Antioch, California. Opportunity Lives Here.” ANT IOCH , CAL I FORNI A