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GREETINGS BUSINESS COMMUNITY
The Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce (GCVCC) is proud to serve as the Voice of Business for our thriving business community. As we look to the future, our commitment to fostering business growth, advocating for business interests, and creating opportunities for connection remains stronger than ever. Through our robust business advocacy efforts, dynamic events, and innovative programs, we are paving the way for a prosperous and united business environment.
Advocating for Business
Our business advocacy efforts are at the core of our mission. We strive to create a businessfriendly environment by engaging with local, state, and federal policymakers. Our team works tirelessly to ensure that the voices of our members are heard on critical issues that impact their businesses. Through our advocacy, we have successfully influenced policies that promote economic growth and job creation in the Coachella Valley.
Sold-Out Events
Our events have become a cornerstone of our success, bringing together leaders from across the region. Our State of the Cities and All Valley Mayors events are always highly anticipated, consistently selling out as they provide invaluable insights into the future of our cities. These events offer a unique platform for business leaders to engage directly with elected officials, fostering a collaborative spirit and shared vision for our community’s future.
Networking Opportunities
Networking is essential for business growth, and our Chamber excels in providing opportunities for members to connect. Our regular networking events are designed to help businesses build relationships, share ideas, and find new opportunities. These gatherings are more than
Andrew McDuffie FirstBank 2023
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2024 Board Chair
just social events; they are strategic engagements that facilitate partnerships and collaborations that drive economic success.
Introducing the Employer Connect Program
The Employer Connect Program is a new program in partnership with the Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce in District 4 of Riverside County to work with the Department of Housing and Workforce Solutions Department/Workforce Development Division (HWS/WDD) to assist and aid all businesses within the district area through a new pilot program, called the Employer Connect Program (ECP).
After working through the program’s enrollment with the GCVCC, qualifying businesses will hire a new full-time employee who will undergo training provided by the HWS Continuum of Care Division (HWS/COC). Workforce Development will reimburse the business for the new hire up to $20 per hour for the first 90 days of employment with the business with a maximum of 480 hours of reimbursement.
Looking Ahead
As we look to the future, we remain dedicated to serving the business community of the Coachella Valley. Our efforts in advocacy, event programming, and networking are all aimed at creating a dynamic and prosperous business community. We believe that by working together, we can achieve great things and ensure that our region continues to thrive.
We invite you to join us in this endeavor. Whether you are a long-standing member or considering becoming a part of our Chamber, we encourage you to visit our website at gcvcc.org to learn more about our programs and events. Engage with us, attend our events, and take advantage of the resources we offer. Together, we can build a brighter future for the Greater Coachella Valley.
Julio Figueroa AT&T 2024
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2025 Board Chair
Brandon Marley President and CEO
Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce
COACHELLA VALLEY BROADBAND STRATEGIC PLANNING
Story by: Randy Bowman, Transportation Program Manager, Coachella Valley Association of Governments
For years, broadband internet service was considered a nice thing to have – faster than dial-up, it was a quicker means to check email, interact on social media, and maybe stream a movie or game. The importance of broadband has been growing over the last several years. Many aspects of our lives now rely on the higher speeds of broadband.
On a personal level, we communicate over broadband, we pay bills and manage many details in our lives over the internet, we work and learn from home, office, the classroom, or while traveling. Healthcare has developed important online applications for patients. Seniors find that broadband can help them stay in their homes longer. Businesses rely on broadband to process transactions, place orders, and supply WiFi to staff and customers. Governments utilize broadband to deliver services to residents and businesses and engage with the public.
Our understanding of the role that broadband plays in our lives changed during the pandemic. Students sat in parking lots to learn and study because that is where they could connect to broadband. While many workers were able to create workspaces in bedrooms and dining rooms to work from home, some could not because of inadequate broadband connectivity at home. The digital divide and its consequences on living, working and commerce became much clearer.
To bridge the digital divide, communities, businesses, and internet service providers will need to address in creative ways the costs and complexities to better serve residents and businesses. Improving broadband may not be an easy task. Solutions can be costly, and coordinating and optimizing options and stakeholders can be daunting.
The state and federal government have recognized the digital divide as a significant issue and have allocated substantial funding for programs to help agencies plan and implement broadband solutions. Grant funding is available for broadband improvement at levels more than has been available previously and will likely not be seen again.
The State of California is taking steps to build thousands of miles of middle mile fiber trunk lines along highways and rail lines throughout the State, including the Coachella Valley. The middle mile fiber lines are an important step to bringing broadband connectivity to areas of communities unserved or underserved with broadband. Initiatives are also underway in the Coachella Valley at the regional and locals levels to improve broadband connectivity for residents, businesses and governments.
The Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG) is connecting hundreds of the Coachella Valley’s traffic signals along regional corridors like Highway 111 and Ramon Road. The CV Sync program will better coordinate and synchronize traffic signal operations to improve the flow of traffic and reduce vehicle emissions. The project includes connecting traffic signals with high-speed fiber optic cables that are designed with additional capacity for cities and tribal governments to use. CVAG is working with our member agencies in leveraging CV Sync to connect municipal and tribal facilities. Indio is also creatively leveraging the project to co-locate with the traffic signal cable separate fiber optic cable for future community broadband service.
In 2023, CVAG received grant funding to study broadband issues and develop a plan to improve broadband connectivity for unserved and underserved areas in the Coachella Valley. The main goal of the broadband study is to identify and enable specific projects to improve broadband connectivity and to position CVAG and member agencies to seek additional funding to implement community broadband solutions. Some CVAG member agencies have also received similar funding or are conducting their own broadband planning.
The CVAG study is helping to connect and coordinate the various state and local projects, programs and initiatives to benefit broadband connectivity in the Coachella Valley. Key goals of the study include:
• Identifying areas of the Coachella Valley unserved or underserved with broadband and possible solutions to those needs
• Coordinating with CVAG members and regional agencies on regional and local broadband planning and implementation efforts
• Coordinating with the State on the middlemile broadband initiative to maximize its benefit to the Coachella Valley
• Continuing to coordinate with CVAG members to leverage the CV Sync project for solutions to government and community broadband needs
• Applying for and supporting member agencies grant applications and funding requests for broadband implementation
The Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) grant program was created through the passage of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act in 2021. BEAD poses a significant funding opportunity for the implementation of broadband solutions to unserved and underserved communities.
Take the CVAG Survey!
California will be distributing $1.86 billion in BEAD grants to local agencies. The grant program relies on federal data from internet service providers indicating the adequacy of broadband service to a location. It is important to note that if the data incorrectly indicates a location has adequate service and goes unchallenged, that location will not be eligible for grant funding. With support from residents and businesses, CVAG, CVAG member agencies and tribal governments can challenge incorrect data to enhance the opportunity for grant funding. CVAG is asking member agencies, residents and businesses to take a simple survey and speed test to support the challenge to incorrect data.
With your help, the CVAG broadband study can make a difference in broadband connectivity in the Coachella Valley, particularly to our unserved and underserved communities:
1. Take the survey and speed test at work and at home. The survey will be open until June 30, 2024.
2. Share they survey with your employees and ask them to complete the survey from their homes.
3. If your business has broadband infrastructure (like fiber or conduit) that could be leveraged for broadband connectivity, please let CVAG know.
Thank you for your help in this study and please watch for the next steps and broadband improvements that happen through it.
Survey link: https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/
On behalf of Travertine Corporation, TRG Land would like introduce Travertine, a highly amenitized master planned community located in South La Quinta.
•1,200 Market Rate Residential Homes
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Interpretive Elements
*Currently under consideration by the City of La Quinta and other regulatory agencies.
IS YOUR FUTURE SINGULAR OR PLURAL?
Story by: Dr. Jeff Suderman
A Singular Future
Is your future singular or plural?
Your answer to this unusual question provides important insights about how you approach strategy. The easiest way to understand the difference between a singular and a plural future is through the stories of Josh and Katie.
Josh has always wanted to be a firefighter. This dream germinated when he was a young boy watching his neighbor’s house burn down. The idea has grown with him as he has matured. As a young adult, he has invested his time and training doing countless hours of physical and mental preparation. Yesterday, he finally got the letter he had been waiting for from the local Fire Department. But it held devastating news. He was not selected. Josh’s dream has ended, and he finds himself drifting, as he is cut off from his anchor.
Josh struggled with his circumstances because he held one view of what his future would look like. Pursuing a singular future can focus us, but it can also leave us without an anchor when goals and reality collide.
A Plural Future
Katie is college graduate, energetic and full of ideas. At times, her ideas overwhelm her because there are simply so many things that she could do. Yesterday, she got an unexpected letter in the mail. It was an invitation to join the Peace Corps for the next 12 months in the tiny African country of Burkina Faso, a country that is so obscure that she had to look it up! She had never considered the Peace Corps, but after further consideration, she realized that this opportunity rhymed with her ambitions, albeit in a way she would never have scripted. She has always wanted to travel, help people, and make a difference in the world. The Peace Corps checks all these boxes, and she decides to pursue this unexpected opportunity.
Katie embraced an unexpected future because she held multiple views of what it could look like. A plural future can feel confusing because it often requires us to consider conflicting ideas simultaneously. However, it can lead to wonderful and unexpected results. Like a year in Burkina Faso.
In my consulting work, it is easy to identify the difference between singular future and plural future clients.
• Brad called me in a panic because he had just been demoted from VP of Sales to a frontline Sales position. Despite his longstanding underperformance, he told me, “I never saw this coming.” This is a singular future.
• Vicky sold her technology company for $30 million dollars and was asked to remain CEO. Four weeks later, their competitive advantage was killed overnight when Facebook changed an algorithm. The entire sale was built upon this strategic advantage. Vicky pivoted strategy and began using their software to do something else. It worked, and the company still exists today. This is a plural future.
• Consider the demise of Eastman Kodak. Once heralded as the pioneers of photography, their inability to anticipate the reality of digital imaging led to their bankruptcy in 2011. This is a singular future!
• Netflix began as a DVD-by-mail company. As times changed, they realized that DVDs were becoming extinct and began to provide online streaming services. Over time, the market shifted once again, so Netflix began creating its own line content. This is a plural future!
How do you and your organization approach the future? Our view of the future, whether singular or plural, significantly affects our lives and decisions. It shapes our view of risk. It defines how we perceive change. It quietly defines our views of right and wrong. It affects how we manage our finances. It even guides who we choose to spend our time with.
So, as Socrates once advised, “Know thyself.” Is your future singular or plural?
As a business doctor, Dr. Jeff Suderman helps companies consider plural futures. He uses the ingredients of organizational development – strategy, structure, people and rewards – to help businesses create and strengthen their secret sauce. Serving as a consultant and graduate school professor, he partners with clients to improve culture, leadership, teamwork, organizational alignment, strategy, and organizational future-readiness.
THE FUTURE OF THE COACHELLA VALLEY
The Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce is excited to look to the future with our six dynamic city partners to forge a future brimming with opportunity and innovation. Our collaboration with Cathedral City, Coachella, Desert Hot Springs, Indian Wells, Indio, and La Quinta continues a focus on strengthening and growing our business community collaboratively. Let’s take a look at some of the exciting things going on throughout the Coachella Valley.
CATHEDRAL CITY
Thanks to the hard work and commitment of our residents, businesses, city staff, and the City Council, Cathedral City continues to build momentum towards a brighter future. The City has proven over the past year that there’s no challenge this community can’t take on when we work together. From the response and recovery efforts after Tropical Storm Hilary, to embracing new economic development opportunities and improving our parks and infrastructure, it’s clear that Cathedral City is meeting the moment.
And while it’s an exciting time to be a resident, we’re also excited to open our doors to visitors from across the Coachella Valley and around the globe. LeAnn Rimes, an international multi-platinum selling acclaimed singer/songwriter, was announced as the headline performer for the 10th anniversary of the Cathedral City International Hot Air Balloon Festival, Nov. 22-24, 2024. Tickets will go on sale this summer for the concert taking place in the Community Amphitheater at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024.
One of the most impactful economic development projects on the horizon in Cathedral City is the Cathedral Cove Center. Encompassing 13 acres at East Palm Canyon and Date Palm drives, Fountainhead Development of Newport Beach purchased the 5 acres designated commercial across from the Agua Caliente Casino in Cathedral City. On the east end of the commercial development will be the city’s fifth Starbucks. The next pad west of the coffee chain will feature a trio of in-line shops. Chipotle Mexican Grill will fill the middle pad, offering a drive-thru for pickup only, the national burger chain Farmer Boys will open west of Chipotle, and the western-most pad will be a Circle K convenience store with fueling pumps. Potential uses on the remaining 8 acres include residential, hotel, or special use commercial.
Cathedral City issued a near-record number of building permits in 2022 and 2023 and a few projects are reinvigorating established communities. One is Rio del Sol, a collection of four neighborhoods, with homes dating back to the mid-1980s. Local homebuilder GHA Companies is developing within the Rio del Sol masterplanned community, for a total of 220 new homes.
Another housing project expands the footprint of Campanile. Now Santa Clarita-headquartered Williams Homes is building an additional 144 houses in a range of six floorplans. On vacant land immediately east of Campanile, Desert Housing Ventures of Newport Beach plans to break ground on Mountain View Estates, comprising 110 single-family homes, each of which will have an accessory dwelling unit with its own garage.
One of the most impactful projects Cathedral City residents can look forward to soon is the new 7.5-acre Esperanza Park, which broke ground earlier this year. The City Council couldn’t be prouder of this state-ofthe-art park coming to the Dream Homes area in 2025. Not only will it provide an area for people to engage in recreational activities like walking, jogging, playing sports, and walking their pets, but it also promotes physical fitness and mental relaxation.
These timely projects will ensure that our residents and visitors can continue to enjoy these amenities for years to come. Cathedral City is valued and respected as a community that welcomes and embraces diversity, has an abundance of high quality and affordable housing options and vibrant businesses. Our neighborhoods are attractive, well-maintained, and issues surrounding homelessness have been compassionately addressed with thoughtful, coordinated, and collaborative programs.
COACHELLA
Over the past several years, Coachella has been working hard to pave a future focused on climate resilience and adaptation through the development of new projects and programs that benefit residents and businesses of the City. From net-zero energy housing and urban greening to efficient mobility through ridesharing programs and public transportation, Coachella’s priority remains around wellness and advancement of the
community. The next significant step toward this goal will be through development of the new Coachella Community Resilience Center project (CRC) that is anticipated to break ground in January 2026. This project will realized in partnership with GRID Alternatives Inland Empire, Hidden Harvest, The LEAP Institute, University of California, Berkeley, and the County of Riverside Emergency Management Department.
To carry forth the project, Coachella will implement $10-milion dollars that were awarded to the City through the Community Resilience Center (CRC) Implementation Grant through the rehabilitation of Hidden Harvest, a 17,800 square foot historic Coachella Valley Grape Growers Association Packing House on Peter Rabbit Lane. This facility will be revamped to function as an emergency shelter, food and business incubator hub, garden space, resource center, and workforce training and development center for the community. The campus will include a teaching kitchen, outdoor classrooms, and community meeting rooms. Campus grounds filled with vegetable beds, climate-friendly fruit trees, and desert-friendly landscaping will double as both park space and as a community garden, allowing partners to provide agricultural education. Health care providers will provide preventative health classes, while other small business experts will equip Coachella residents with information and skill building enrichment to help them build new careers and create new opportunities. Rehabilitation efforts will also include parking and sidewalk improvements, and pedestrian rail crossing for a 2.09-acre site.
Selection of the Hidden Harvest facility was highly strategic and meaningful due to its connections to agriculture, food justice, and food education. Once completed. The Coachella CRC will fulfill Hidden Harvest’s original vision of converting the site to an educational and community center, while also creating space for the organization to continue supplying fresh produce to 50,000 people throughout the Valley each month.
The entire project area consists of the CRC facility and the campus amenities surrounding it. A railroad crossing will connect Coachella’s Pueblo Viejo neighborhood to
the CRC and Peter Rabbit Lane, which is a local roadway that connects the CRC to the City’s population centers. Once the CRC is completed, residents can drive, use active transportation, or use the CRC’s rideshare service to reach the project area.
As a community on the rise with innovation and efficiency at the forefront, Coachella’s CRC will provide an incredible opportunity to address community resilience, emergency management, climate change mitigation, and social equity while providing opportunities for Coachella to become more selfdetermining, socially connected, and successful before, during and after disruptions. The CRC will become a year-round hub for recovery, resiliency, and healing for the entire community of Coachella. Coachella’s future looks green, efficient and incredibly optimistic for the East Valley and its residents.
DESERT HOT SPRINGS
Desert Hot Springs, celebrated as the “City of Opportunity,” is the fastest-growing city in the Coachella Valley. Renowned for its rejuvenating hot mineral springs, the city is ideally situated near Palm Springs and within easy reach of Los Angeles and San Diego, making it a prime location for businesses and wellness retreats.
Economic and Commercial Development
Desert Hot Springs is experiencing a surge in development, enhancing its economic landscape.
Major Projects:
• I-10 and Indian - Amazon has commenced construction and will create over 1,400 jobs once operational. Desert Gateway, an adjacent project, will soon break ground on a million square foot warehouse. These projects, along with others in the area, are anticipated to bring in infrastructure and help spur development in the industrial zone and along our highway frontage.
• I-10 and Palm Drive - The first Mavrick Gas Station in Southern California is set to open, which will continue the buildout of Palm Dr., one of our main arterial roads in and out of the city.
• Lennar Homes has recently purchased Village
3 in the Skyborne development and is starting construction. This will result in over 200 new homes in that development.
• Greenday Village is a new mixed-use project aimed at bringing over 600 units of affordable housing. This innovative concept includes sustainable farming, vehicle share programs, commercial storefronts, and innovative energy efficient building technologies.
Infrastructure and Quality of Life Enhancements
• Tropical Storm Hilary Road Repairs – Road reconstruction has been completed at Indian Ave/ Mission Lakes, Little Morongo Road, and Dillon Road, which were destroyed by Tropical Storm Hilary. This achievement was in collaboration with efforts from the County Supervisor’s office and other local, state, and federal agencies. These efforts showcase the city’s commitment to public safety and its residents.
• New Facilities: The city has started construction of Fire Station 98 and will begin construction before the end of the year on a new police annex which in combination will enhance safety and emergency response capabilities.
• Supportive Services: The recently opened HUB Access Center provides emergency overnight shelter and essential services for the city’s unhoused, reinforcing the city’s commitment to all residents.
• Animal Hospital/Animal Sanctuary: The city has partnered with Animal Samaritans to bring to life the animal hospital! With plans to open in September this needed service in our community will provide convenient affordable access to veterinary care for our communities’ pets.
Cannabis Industry Leadership
Desert Hot Springs is at the forefront of the cannabis industry, providing a supportive and innovative environment for cannabis businesses.
• Regulatory Advances: The city has revised cannabis regulations to encourage industry growth, including:
• Reduction of cultivation tax from $10.20 to $5.75 per square foot.
• Simplified monthly tax payments and financial
support measures like the “Lost Cultivation Crop Waiver” for crop failures.
• Introduction of “Cannabis Consumption Space” licenses, allowing operators to create unique consumer experiences such as tasting rooms and educational tours.
Support for Entrepreneurs: Initiatives to assist new operators include:
• A “ramp-up” period for new facilities to stabilize financially before their first harvest.
• A fee collection system integrated into operations for streamlined tax collection.
Downtown Revitalization
• Over the last 12 months the city has seen a tremendous number of businesses open in the Downtown area joining several existing businesses including Delicias, The Spread, Casa Blanca, Brow Cave, Downtown Barbers, Luxx Barber, and The Cottage II. Some of the new businesses that have joined include Espresso Self Coffee, XM Custom Prints, A & G Mart, Rise Up Athletics, and Lizzy’s Frozen Yogurt, Downtown DHS Bar and IVTHC.
• The city is working on a large-scale Downtown Mural Program which is aimed at bringing new life to blighted buildings in the downtown area.
• The return of Friday Nights on Pierson comes with an array of new attractions for the community to experience. This is the Coachella Valley’s first ever night Farmers Market which includes a variety of fun activities including camel rides, a petting zoo, food trucks, pop up vendors, and much more.
Natural Amenities
• Desert Hot Springs is surrounded by the Sand to Snow National Monument which has access to Joshua Tree National Park. Several trails will be upgraded with new trail signs and efforts are to support our increasing population of visitors coming to the city for its amazing hikes and gorgeous views overlooking the Coachella Valley.
• The Spa TOT Revitalization Program has helped new and existing spas revitalize their properties as the city continues to see an increase in visitors and residents.
INDIAN WELLS
Thus far, 2024 has been a busy year for the City of Indian Wells! There is much to look forward to, including several initiatives led by the City Council and staff to continue enhancing our community and moving towards the future. Indian Wells is focused on:
• Maintaining a healthy budget
• Enhancing infrastructure through Capital Improvement Projects
• Providing responsive and efficient public safety services
• Growing tourism and economic development opportunities
• Creating an energy-efficient community
• Opening of Fairway Park
• Expanding the City’s partnerships
Indian Wells hotel partners have or are in the process of million-dollar renovations that ushered in a new era of luxury. New building is being planned in the future in Indian Wells and the city is also reinvesting in its public owned golf course, Indian Wells Golf Resort. Speaking of IWGR updates, the Player’s Course is getting redesigned, potentially moving holes #17 and #18 to the north side of the Whitewater Channel. This endeavor represents a strategic move to ensure the continued competitiveness and safety of the Resort and enhances revenue potential. The Golf Resort will also be home to celebrity Richard Blais new restaurant coming in the fall of 2024.
Indian Wells has positioned itself as sports hub of the Coachella Valley with the city hosting several major sporting events. The BNP Paribas Open just came off record attendance with over 493,000 visitors during the two-week prestigious tennis tournament at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Epson Tour Golf Championship will be coming to the Indian Wells Golf Resort in October and Indian Wells hopes to make this a long-lasting event. Ironman 70.3 Indian Wells/La Quinta will be in December. The City of Indian Wells is also the Official City Partner to the Coachella Valley Firebirds hockey team.
In summary, Indian Wells is embracing its role as a vibrant sport, cultural, and residential destination while investing in community well-being and economic growth. These exciting developments bode well for the future of the Coachella Valley.
INDIO
As the largest and fastest growing city in the Coachella Valley, the City of Indio has emerged as a dynamic hub for business growth and development. Known for its vibrant culture and rich history, Indio is now also gaining recognition for its forward-thinking economic strategies and robust business environment. With strategic initiatives like the revitalization of Downtown Indio, the development of the Canopy at Citrus and expanding North Indio, and an innovative Shop Local program, Indio is positioning itself as a premier destination for businesses and entrepreneurs alike.
Downtown Indio is undergoing a significant transformation, evolving into a thriving center of commerce and community activity. This revitalization effort, fueled by a substantial $200 million in public and private investment, aims to attract new businesses, boost the local economy, and create a vibrant space for residents and visitors alike. Central to this revitalization are key projects such as the introduction of diverse dining and retail options, including Indio Taphouse, Italica, Gabino’s Creperie, and Victoria’s Café. Additionally, entertainment and activation options are expanding with the City’s new amphitheater, Center
Stage, and Little Street Music Hall. Complementing these developments are enhancements to public spaces, including murals and art installations, notably the colorful and inviting Happy Alley on Miles Avenue. These initiatives are not only revitalizing Downtown Indio but are also fostering a lively and inclusive community atmosphere.
College of the Desert’s Indio campus expansion is set to accommodate an additional 5,000 students in the three-story instructional building featuring classrooms, a café, offices, science labs, a student success services center and pavilion connecting it to the existing campus building. The construction of a new City Hall and Library is also currently underway, and this new Civic Center Campus will not only enhance civic functions but also serve as inviting spaces for learning, collaboration, and civic engagement.
The development of the Canopy at Citrus represents another significant milestone in the city’s growth. This mixed-use development has attracted coveted restaurants such as Cork & Fork, Lunas Pizza Bar and Grill, Keedy’s, Coral Sushi and Sake Bar, Sumo Dog, Chipotle, and most recently, Babe’s Smokehouse and Tavern will round out this development, among retailers including Ryan Ryan Fine Jewelry and Gift Bar and Mechanics Bank. Their modern retail design paired with their prime location on Jefferson Street make it a sought-after destination for residents and visitors alike.
North Indio continues to serve as a hotspot for new housing developments and retail and dining additions. With a variety of new national brands looking to expand their footprint in Indio, we are proud to welcome Raising Canes, In-N-Out Burgers, Salad and Go, Dutch Bros., Tilly’s, and Sketchers, among many others, to North Indio.
Indio’s commitment to supporting local businesses is exemplified by its innovative Shop Local program through Open Rewards. This initiative encourages residents to shop within the City of Indio by offering a 5% cash-back incentive on purchases. By keeping more money within the community, the program helps to strengthen the local economy, support small businesses, and create a more resilient economic ecosystem.
The implementation of the Downtown and Highway 111 Specific Plans marks a strategic milestone in Indio’s urban development. These comprehensive plans outline
a clear vision for transforming key areas into vibrant, economically dynamic zones. Focused on fostering sustainable growth, these plans integrate mixed-use developments, enhance transportation infrastructure, and enrich the visual landscape of these corridors. By improving connectivity between Downtown and the Highway 111 corridor, these plans attract new businesses, enhance property values, and provide residents with improved amenities and services. This forward-thinking approach ensures that development is both strategic and beneficial, driving long-term prosperity for the community and positioning Indio as a premier destination for business and leisure.
Moreover, Indio’s economic development efforts have a profound impact on the broader community. By attracting new businesses and supporting local enterprises, the city is creating jobs, enhancing the quality of life, and promoting sustainable growth. The focus on revitalization, development, and local support ensures that Indio remains a vibrant and prosperous place to live, work, and do business. As Indio continues to grow and evolve, it stands out as a beacon of opportunity in the Coachella Valley.
LA QUINTA
For the City of La Quinta, 2024 has been and continues to be a busy year with several new businesses opening and more on the horizon in 2025, the ongoing construction of the Dune Palms Road bridge over the wash, Highway 111 rehabilitation and more.
The Dune Palms Road all-weather bridge over the wash is a $25 million project that was started in January 2023. One half of the bridge opened to vehicle and pedestrian use in April, while the other portion is on schedule to be completed in early spring 2025. When finished, the 480-foot-long, 86-foot-wide span will include four vehicle lanes, 8-foot-wide bicycle and golf cart paths in each direction, 6-foot-wide sidewalks on each side, and a 9-foot-8-inch raised center median.
Highway 111
Highway 111 is slated for an $8 million rehabilitation project later this summer, though a start date is contingent on the City’s receipt of $4 million in federal funding earmarked for the roadwork.
The project will include pulverizing the existing pavement within the City limits, from just west of Washington Street to Jefferson Street, and take about three months to complete. Some curb ramps will also be replaced to bring them into Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance.
While the City hopes to complete construction before season, a start date is dependent on when the federal funds are received from Caltrans. The City’s team will work with businesses along Highway 111 to ensure access throughout construction.
New or Soon-to-Open Businesses
Here is a look at some of the businesses that opened this year and those planning to open in late 2024 and early 2025:
• Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream: La Quinta is the third Coachella Valley location for this franchise business, owned by father and son Chris and Colin Fox who came from Los Angeles to set up shop after falling in love with the valley. La Quinta’s Handel’s is at 79630 Highway 111.
• WelbeHealth: Opened July 1 at 46805 Dune Palms Road, WelbeHealth is an All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) center that provides full-service healthcare and personalized support on-site and in the home to vulnerable seniors who want to remain in their homes for as long as possible. Learn more at www.welbehealth.com.
• Luna Grill: Mediterranean cuisine is on the menu at Luna Grill, which opened in June at the former Panera location, 79124 Highway 111, serving lunch and dinner. Dine in or place your order to go.
• Chick-fil-A and Quick Quack: Construction has started on La Quinta’s first Chick-fil-A and the second La Quinta location for Quick Quack car wash, expected to open in 2025. They are going on a vacant parcel on the northeast corner of Dune Palms Road at Highway 111, adjacent to a new affordable housing development planned by the City.
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