Desert Hot Springs Courts New Businesses in Vegas

May 24, 2007

City officials from Desert Hot Springs have been attending the International Council of Shopping Centers convention, hoping to attract more businesses to DHS.

Since this is the first time the City has participated in the event, I am sure the response will be overwhelming for what they have been accustomed to - namely "sit back and do nothing and hope it changes". I applaud the City for finally taking some steps to help this dusty little Desert outpost - a city separated by geography and attitude from its sisters on the other side of I-10.

With new full-time residents moving to "Outpost Freedom", the demographics are changing. Now that the city is getting an influx of residents who will be voting in DHS rather than those seasonal residents who only vote in their home states, the City will be changing. That's a good thing.

The beautiful views will not change, the worlds best hot mineral springs will not change nor will the outstanding weather that Desert Hot Springs is known for.

What will change is the City Council. Already, new council member Scott Matas seems to be making a difference. He brings a more professional and growth-oriented approach to what had for years been called the "Hillbilly Council". A fresh breath of pro-development and growth means new life for a tired city.

Now that D.R. Horton and Century Vintage Homes have broken the ice by developing the West side of town, with nothing but more new and fresh plans in the works, new businesses are coming. People who once scoffed at the idea of living in Desert Hot Springs now entertain the possibility or have jumped in with both feet, and they are demanding new retail services. New roads and traffic signals, new commercial development and new money are coming to this last secret of the Desert.

With the City taking action steps to attract new businesses, more commercial development and better police and city services, the town is making a very good start. Many spas and resorts such as Two Bunch Palms are in the process of updating and revamping to attract a younger, hipper clientele (and it's working). Just keep the momentum going and this Dusty Little Desert Outpost will soon be the Gem of the Desert it once was.