PSP announces new partnership with Desert Arc for inclusive community employment

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The Palm Springs International Airport is announcing a new five-year partnership with Desert Arc to foster and support inclusive community employment.

President and CEO of Desert Arc Richard Balocco plans to retire within the next month, and programs like the airport are what he hoped to bring to the non-profit's members.

"These kinds of things have been a goal of mine since I started all these businesses at Desert Arc with the idea that we could get in the community, we could show people what we could do, and it's now happening," Balocco said.

With the partnership, Desert Arc will provide key services for keeping the airport beautiful for it's visitors. These jobs include ground maintenance, landscaping and trash removal. The Executive Director of Aviation Harry Barrett Jr. said having Desert Arc community members as employees as the airport reinforces the airport's commitment to inclusivity and community stewardship.

"One of the core hallmarks of the city of Palm Springs, as well as the airport, is to be really as inclusive as possible and making sure that people are in the workforce," Barrett said.

They hope showing inclusivity in the workplace will foster it in other cities throughout the Coachella Valley, as this work is more than a job to the employees.

"I don't think anybody here at this, who's visiting the airport or using it for services realizes our crew are ... developmentally disabled folks, because they don't behave like that," Balocco said. "They don't look like that. So they relieve a lot of stigmas about that."

The workers from Desert Arc are more than just that, they are dedicated to providing a service and keeping up with the airport landscape. The five employees will work year-round, seven days a week, maintaining the courtyard and surrounding areas.

The Landscape Manager Ariel Rubio said he sees the Desert Arc workers' dedication every day, and that other businesses or cities interested in their work should reach out to Desert Arc.

The five-year agreement is fully funded by the airport, allocating $320,000 annually for labor and materials. Airport officials said no local tax-payer dollars are used.

Stay with News Channel 3 to hear more from PSP and Desert Arc officials on the importance of this partnership to foster inclusivity in the Palm Springs Community.