La Quinta businesses excited for boom with American Express coming to town

LA QUINTA, Calif. (KESQ) – The American Express Golf Tournament is expected to bring thousands of fans to the City of La Quinta.

Local businesses and the city are excited to welcome the increase in visitors and the businesses it is set to bring.

"We're talking about $24 million in economic impact," said Mayor Linda Evans. "Over 1,200 volunteers support that tournament, many of whom are residents of La Quinta, which we love."

Mayor Evans, who also serves on the board for the Impact Through Golf Foundation, also highlighted the way the tournament benefits local charities in the Coachella Valley, too. She said over the years, over $67 million has been injected back into community nonprofits.

"We had donated a half a million dollars to FIND Food Bank over two years. That helped their workforce development center in the new the new warehouse that they have over in Indio that complements the other ones," she recounted.

With the influx visitors comes heightened traffic. The city said traffic impacts from the tournament are expected to be minimal, with the only road closures happening on Jefferson Street from the entrance of PGA West to Avenue 52 on Friday and Saturday from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The city is encouraging its residents to avoid the area and take alternate routes if they won't be attending the tournament or concerts.

News Channel 3 is hearing from Mayor Linda Evans and small businesses in La Quinta on the turnout they're hoping for. Stay with us for the latest.