SUPPORTING OUR LOCAL BUSINESSES 

Palm Springs is a unique city with a vibrant, diverse small and large business community. We must ensure that businesses continue to thrive.

• Carefully monitor and pay attention to the “look” of our Downtown district, and the tourist experience.
  
  

• Address the recent rise in homelessness and crime, as it is negatively affecting our business owners and their customers.

• Ensure that our business infrastructure is world class by providing the most advanced access to internet services, increased access to electric vehicle charging stations, and expanded cellphone coverage.

• To help our restaurants survive during the Covid-19 pandemic, restaurants built street dining ‘parklets’ to expand their service areas. As we return to our usual dining practices, we can examine which restaurants would benefit from continued use of the parklets, as long as their presence did not inhibit foot traffic or the curb appeal of neighboring businesses.
  
  

• Attract industries beyond tourism to help diversify the local economy. Create incentives for businesses to relocate to our city, with a request that a percentage of new hires must be local. Work with local early-stage business incubators to diversify Palm Springs’ economy and support local and diverse-owned entrepreneurs
  
  

• Create a concierge division at City Hall to help shepherd new, small business to navigate the process and city requirements to open your business.
  
  

• As the nature of working changes, ensure that Palm Springs provides the proper infrastructure, housing options and support to attract remote workers who no longer need to stay in large cities.
  
  

• Support city programs to make it easier to start a business, and connect new business owners to mentors, knowledge and services. 
  
  

• Support small businesses transitioning to a fully sustainable future by increasing small business improvement grants, and creating revitalizing programs for small businesses. Minimize red tape for all permits associated with business improvements
  
  

• Ensure programs are promoted to diverse-owned businesses, and that diverse-owned and locally owned business have the opportunity to bid for all city contracts.
  
  

• Incentivize “Shop Local” by providing city backed programs for residents.