Visit Greater PS launches new strategy diversifying Valley economy beyond tourism

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) - Visit Greater Palm Springs announced a new multi-year strategy to diversify the Valley economy beyond the traditional tourism industry. The plan is called the Coachella Valley Subregional Economic Development Strategy, and is part of Riverside County's broader economic strategy. Officials say they hope to attract investment in sectors such as clean energy and support higher-wage job growth.

"It's a great industry for us, but we have a need and an opportunity to diversify our economic base," says Sean Smith, director of economic development for Visit Great Palm Springs.

1 in 4 local jobs are in the tourism industry, and tourism had a 9.1 billion dollar impact across the Coachella Valley, according to Visit Greater Palm Springs.

Another key goal of the strategy is to revitalize the local environment, targeting places such as the Salton Sea. "Hopefully at some point it can be an asset, not a liability for our economic development and economic health overall," says Smith.

Smith says they hope to see development in the sustainable agriculture, technology and advanced manufacturing sectors.

"The goal in part is to bring in new industry that does have higher paying jobs and career advancement opportunities associated with them," says Smith.

He says they've partnered with local organizations, such as OneFuture Coachella Valley, to help local students enter the workforce in various industries.

Ernie Rios, the Vice President of college success for OneFuture Coachella Valley, says they "[ensure] the students have scholarships to pay for higher education, internships, assistance with resume writing."

One former client, Marlen Rios, says a scholarship from Visit Greater Palm Springs gave her the opporunity to finish school and kick off her career in human resources.

"They helped me get my professional skills up and going," she says.