The Coachella Valley is not a stereotypically “classic” region for regional economic development. We don’t have one powerhouse major city that anchors the region. For instance, despite being about the same population size as the Savannah Regional Economic Development Authority, our regions are not alike. Instead, we have 9 unique cities often vying for limited resources and opportunities. We aren’t anchored by a 4 year research university, driving local investment. We have a marked seasonal economy (though that has lessened over the years). And we rely on a thriving and innovative, but recession-sensitive, Travel and Hospitality economy.
You would think CVEP would just put up its hands and admit defeat. However, we see the unique challenges of the Coachella Valley as opportunities. We are different. We are unique. We are a bit quirky. And that is our strength. CVEP is committed to uncovering those hidden gems and helping entrepreneurs grab these opportunities.
A simple example of untapped potential is the concentration of wealthy retirees and older valley residents. They may be older, but many are uncharacteristically active. Many support the arts. Many stay inquisitive. And many want to remain independent. This market has specific needs and desires, many of which have remained untapped. Our valley is a wonderful incubator for innovation in supporting this community.
Maps can identify concentrations of such communities in a region. This map shows the concentrations of wealthy and older valley residents. If we took this analysis further, we could overlay additional map layers, like spending for the arts, or participation in civic groups to locate specific populations to serve.
You can explore these locations in a WebApp created for this Data Digest. Click here to access the map. Below are the details of how the map data was built, and instructions on how to interact with the map.
