Governor Schwarzenegger To Visit Palm Springs Today

PALM SPRINGS -Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will join today with a local wind farm company and Palm Springs city officials to talk about creating clean technology jobs in the Coachella Valley.

The governor is expected to discuss a tax credit for green tech manufacturing equipment sales and the city’s innovation hub designation at the 9:30 a.m. news conference at Wintec Energy’s Carver Field.

Palm Springs, Desert Hot Springs and Cathedral City were designated as an iHub in January.

The designation, issued through the California Innovation Hub program, allows the city to receive federal and state funding. The program is aimed at promoting collaborations between cities, universities and private industry to foster job creation.

The city plans to partner with UC Riverside, Cal State San Bernardino and College of the Desert, then entice local businesses to collaborate on emerging-technology projects and research.

The Coachella Valley is rich in renewable resources, including wind, solar and geothermal energy.

California Secretary of Labor Vicky Bradshaw, Fred Noble of Wintec Energy, and Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet are also expected to attend. The event will include a question-and-answer period.