Coachella Valley Region Economic Development Strategy

Chapter Five: Strategic Direction/Action Plan

Vision for Coachella Valley’s Economic Future

Coachella Valley will evolve into a vibrant, diversified economic hub—transitioning from its tourism and agricultural roots into a sustainable leader in clean energy, healthcare, entertainment, and technology. Embracing its cultural identity, the region will offer high-quality jobs with living wages, accessible opportunities, and economic resilience, attract global talent and foster innovation. It will become Southern California’s new mecca destination for wellness, energy innovation, and creative industries.

Strategy Categories Industry Diversification and Growth

To build a resilient, year-round economy with no “off-season,” the Coachella Valley will pursue targeted growth in five high-potential industries: agriculture technology, hospitality/tourism, creative media, advanced manufacturing, clean energy/tech, and biotechnology. These sectors align with the region’s natural assets, cultural strengths, and emerging opportunities, and will serve as the foundation for sustainable job creation, innovation, and long-term economic vitality Clean Energy and Sustainability The Coachella Valley is committed to becoming a leader in clean energy and environmental resilience by advancing a comprehensive sustainability agenda. This includes accelerating the cleanup and ecological restoration of the Salton Sea, significantly increasing the share of local energy needs met by renewable sources, and ensuring the region’s electricity infrastructure can support targeted industry and employment growth. Additionally, the Valley will explore strategic connections to Imperial County’s “Lithium Valley” initiative to align with emerging opportunities in battery technology, energy storage, and green manufacturing.

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