About Laura James

Laura is CVEP's Interim CEO, and is also a sports fanatic, music lover, and consumer technology junkie. With an undergraduate degree in education, certificates in economic development, nonprofit management, and information systems management, and an M.B.A., she helps tech founders prove that business has the power to make the world an amazing place. Laura is the only Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) in the Coachella Valley.

Business Shutdowns Present Perils for Greater Palm Springs

By |2020-10-19T12:55:51-07:00October 19th, 2020|Categories: Coronavirus, Economic Development, Jobs, News|Tags: , , , , , , , , |

Economically, the Coachella Valley has been reeling since the cancellation of several of the region’s biggest events in the spring of 2020. At the time, the fear was that the region’s small businesses would experience greatly reduced sales during the busy spring event season, thereby rolling into the slower summer months with less cushion to [...]

CVEP Adds Brand Therapy to Virtual Business Services Offerings

By |2020-07-15T10:18:03-07:00July 14th, 2020|Categories: Business Development, News|Tags: , , , , , |

As firm believers in a tech-led economic development strategy, and as managers of a network of business incubators across the Coachella Valley (the Palm Springs, Palm Desert, and Indio iHubs), we serve innovators. Since mid-March, CVEP has made the shift to delivering virtual business services. We know that in order to serve innovators well, we [...]

Back to Basics for Controlling Coronavirus in Coachella Valley

By |2020-07-01T18:20:37-07:00July 1st, 2020|Categories: Coronavirus, Economic Development, Jobs, News|Tags: , , , |

As economic developers, of course we want to see Coachella Valley businesses open. But in order for our economy to really function, we've got to prioritize the protection of public health. That's because businesses need customers, and customers need to 1) feel safe and 2) be healthy enough to participate in economic activity. Just this [...]

Help Our Recovery. Get Tested.

By |2020-06-25T15:57:12-07:00May 21st, 2020|Categories: Coronavirus, Economic Development, Jobs, News|Tags: , , , , , |

An overwhelming number of the businesses we’ve talked to are eager to re-open. Despite some of the negative labels being hurled about, these people aren’t all denying science, nor are they all putting profit over health. These are entrepreneurs, independent contractors, and small business owners who have spent lifetimes building their businesses, brands, or skills. [...]

Insight: Entity Types and Partnerships for Small Business

By |2020-05-15T15:19:27-07:00May 15th, 2020|Categories: Business Development, News|Tags: , , , , , |

CVEP’s Small Business Forum continued virtually this month with a presentation on business entity types, common issues with partnerships, and employment law. The forum was conducted by David R. Roth and Vee B. Sotelo of Slovak Baron Empey Murphy & Pinkney, LLP, a law firm with a primary presence in Palm Springs. Roth is an [...]

Insight: Search and SEO for Small Business

By |2020-04-21T16:59:53-07:00April 21st, 2020|Categories: Business Development, Coronavirus|Tags: , , , |

This month, amidst the stay-at-home orders of COVID-19, CVEP hosted its first-ever virtual Small Business Forum. The topic, SEO and Search Marketing, was more timely than ever. Many businesses have been temporarily forced to operate from a digital storefront instead of a physical one. A physical storefront will get foot traffic if it's well-located, and [...]

COVID-19 PPP Loan Programs for Small Business

By |2020-07-06T17:27:45-07:00April 2nd, 2020|Categories: Coronavirus, Economic Development, Jobs, News|Tags: , , , , , , |

Note: Funding for the PPP has been extended through August 8, 2020. We continue to update the lender list in this article as new information becomes available.  The new funding for the PPP & HCE Act became available on Monday, April 27 after original funding from the CARES Act ran out of money. While it [...]

SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans For Coachella Valley Businesses

By |2020-03-26T21:43:04-07:00March 26th, 2020|Categories: Coronavirus, News|Tags: , , , , |

As COVID-19 continues to spread, the need for governmental assistance in the Coachella Valley grows. At the time of this writing, the resources available to help businesses survive this challenging time are just beginning to roll out. Among the currently best-defined programs is the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program through the U.S. Small Business Administration. [...]

Business Continuity During Unpredictable Events

By |2020-03-17T10:26:07-07:00March 17th, 2020|Categories: Business Development, Coronavirus, News|Tags: , , , |

As you read this, you have already likely experienced firsthand the difficulty of preparing for a disaster once it is underway. Many stores are selling out of needed products within minutes of restocking their shelves. And although we are already in the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic, it is not too late to take basic [...]

Contacting CVEP During Social Distancing and Remote Work

By |2020-03-16T14:39:19-07:00March 16th, 2020|Categories: Coronavirus, Economic Development, News|Tags: , , , |

Public health officials have called for social distancing measures. Social distancing works based on mathematical principles: the more people that come in contact with one another, the more opportunities for transmission. In accordance with  to the CDC Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease, CVEP is taking precautions to [...]

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