Local students to play role in Coachella Valley economic growth
The future of the Coachella V alley was the focus of Wednesday’s economic summit in P alm S prings. Hundreds of c ity leaders and local organizations gathered at the annual Coachella Valley Economic Partnership (CVEP) E conomic S ummit to get a clearer picture of the state of the valley’s economy.
This was the 13 th year the summit had been held by CVEP.
The event was emceed by CBS Local 2 anchor Brooke Beare, who introduced various speakers to the stage. It also included a unique video showing what the Coachella Valley could be like in the year 2050.
One of the main topics was focusing on how the younger generation needs to be included in financial growth.
“Crafting Our Future” was the theme at this year’s economic summit. With the focus on creating a successful, sustainable economy in the region.
“Crafting the future is deliberately taking actions today to achieve something that you want to in the future,” Joe Wallace, CEO of CVEP said.
Actions that include trying to attract new industries to the valley, so the region doesn’t become too complacent with their already booming tourism and healthcare industries, which rank among the top three industries in the region along with agriculture.
According to the latest economic report compiled by a Claremont McKenna College professor Manfred Keil, improvements in education are a key factor in attracting outside investment to the valley.
Students such as Salvador Gallo from Desert Hot Springs are examples of that push as high schools offer internship programs in such fields as renewable energy.
“So instead of CO-2 emissions going into our atmosphere we use the power of the sun and wind to make our energy,” Gallo said.
Local educators are on board, knowing that training students to be prepared to work in growing industries is also very attractive to businesses who may want to call the valley home.
“If we don’t have the workforce for them, they can’t come here,” Maria Wren, CEO of SMART Education said. “There’s no feasible way for them to import a workforce so we have to be willing to put our time and effort into providing that workforce.”
In terms of crafting the valley’s future, it’s the local youth that local leaders are hoping hold the key to success.
“There’s going to be more spots for people to go and make jobs,” Gallo said.
KESQ NewsChannel 3 and CBS Local 2 are media sponsors of the CVEP Economic Summit.
