By Kathy Gottberg  (10/24/09)

            Nearly 650 people attended the Coachella Valley Economic Partnership (CVEP) annual Fall Economic Summit on Friday, October 23 in Indian Wells.  As usual, the gathering included a wide-ranging economic analysis of the valley by John Husing, PhD.  filled with detailed charts, graphs and even some humor.   Also, as in past years, the meeting brought together an impressive array of city and business leaders from across the region.  What made this assembly truly unique and special was the revealing of the long anticipated, “The Coachella Valley Economic Blueprint,” which provides a road map of sorts to an optimistic and prosperous future for everyone who lives in the Coachella Valley.   Best of all, the Blueprint suggests that in order to succeed the valley must work together holistically as a region.  And even better, one of the essential targets for future success of the Coachella Valley will be to “effectively market the Coachella Valley as a destination for Clean Technology/Energy Companies.”  When an organization like CVEP makes working holistically and “green jobs and industry” a key to future prosperity, then progress in sustainability is evident.

           CVEP was formed in 1994 as an action-oriented, non-profit corporation which strives to enhance the economy of the desert while maintaining its qualify of life.  Facing the realities of the current local and national economic situations and recognizing some of the ongoing issues we face here in the Coachella Valley, CVEP joined together with the UCR Desert Lyceum and other partners to proactively engage in creating a consensus and forward thinking strategy for the future.  The first step of that strategy was working with a consultant named Market Street Services and a steering committee of dozens of local business and city leaders.  Now, nearly one year later, the Economic Blueprint is revealed.

             The comprehensive plan is a 108-page document that details dozens of action steps to carry out four major goals necessary for success.  Of high importance is regionalism.  In other words, it is critical to work together valley-wide as a region instead of as individual cities or communities.   Also of deep concern is diversifying incomes, educating a high-level workforce and at the same time enhancing quality of life for everyone in the desert.    The Blueprint then suggests that out of only four areas of focus necessary to achieve those goals, one target is to make Coachella Valley greener.

            The action steps proposed in the Blueprint list a number of measures to fulfill that goal.   Of primary importance is to devise a marketing program in order to bring more green-friendly businesses to the valley.   Other concentrations are to work with existing businesses and leaders to grow green energy in the valley and to promote more green-power options for both residential and business.  Beyond that, the Blueprint encourages a plan to establish a “culture of green entrepreneurship in the Coachella Valley” as well as to seek out early-stage capitol for the seed financing of clean technology and energy start-ups.  A longer-term plan would be to develop a Clean Energy Incubator. 

            The plan also recommends that efforts be made to develop a regional Coachella Valley Sustainability Plan.  This part of the plan works to bring together existing blueprints from Palm Desert, Palm Springs and other communities.  It also encourages designating community sustainability “ambassadors” to plan, develop and launch sustainability initiatives.   Of special note to environmentalists is the awareness by the Blueprint that it is necessary to focus on the issues of the Valley’s water supply, air quality and desert landscape.    Plus, in true CVEP fashion, the Blueprint suggests that green opportunities in the desert be promoted locally, statewide and even nationally.   Eventually it is recommended that an “advocacy component” be added to the regional Sustainability Plan which would lobby publically for issues related to sustainability and green-economy development.

            That so much time, effort and resources have been spent developing a regional plan for the Coachella Valley including such comprehensive strategies for green is good news. Patrick Swarthout from Imperial Irrigation District stated his optimism with, “The blueprint is as much about protecting and enhancing our quality of life as it is about jobs.  This is an area that is very, very important for future green type economies and industry.”  Diane Worth, Executive Director of the USGBC-Inland Empire Chapter said, “Clearly, the awareness of green is growing” here in the Coachella Valley.  J. Mac Halladay, from Market Street Services, reminded those in attendance of the quote by Albert Einstein that reads, “The significant problems we face cannot be solved at the same level of thinking we were at when we created them.”

            Clearly, the Blueprint is not an easy, quick fix to a complex issue.  Instead, as it’s outline states, it “will advance the Coachella Valley through the current downturn and position us for long term growth.”   Perhaps the meeting was summed up best by a couple of attendees. Tom Kirk, Executive Director of the Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG) added, “It’s good to see so many attending a conference that’s charting the future of the Coachella Valley.  I think folks recognize that we can’t get out of this recession alone by thinking individually.”   Co-Chair Kathleen DeRosa, wrapped it up by saying, “It’s time to lead, follow, or get out of the way.”  That CVEP is offering a plan to lead that includes green is good news for the Coachella Valley.