This week CVEP announced the Rabobank Regional Business Center (RRBC) was awarded and named the new host of the Coachella Valley Small Business Development Center (SBDC). Hosting the CVSBDC office and thereby providing a broad range of small business support services furthers the RRBC role as a one stop shop for economic development. Funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration, the State of California and other private sector partners, the SBDC provides small businesses and entrepreneurs with expert consulting, effective training, access to investment capital and other resources. The new local office will support economic growth and development of the valley economy by advancing job creation and retention and business expansion. College of the Desert will serve as an additional partner, providing their expertise to offer a wide variety of training courses and workshops.

This week Palm Springs Life announced the release of the iPad application for the Vision publication. If you have an iPad or iPhone you can download this free app and have easy access to the latest publication on the Coachella Valley. Information includes economic development, energy, health, agriculture, arts, logistics, tourism, and philanthropy. Click here to access the app.  This publication is also available inside the October issue of Palm Springs Life, available at the CVEP offices or on our website. 

This week the City of Palm Springs released the October 2011 Hotel Tax Report, showing a 28.57 percent increase in collection, compared with the same time last year. Valley tourism continues to improve!