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Cathedral City’s Ignite program offers free ribbon cuttings, business support for creative firms
Summary
Economic development manager Eric Bessel outlined Ignite, a no-cost city service that coordinates ribbon cuttings, certificates and communications for new or milestone local businesses and artists; the program also links entrepreneurs to workshops and one-on-one counseling.
Economic development manager Eric Bessel told the Cathedral City Public Arts Commission that the city’s Ignite program offers no-cost support to new and milestone businesses, including official city ribbon cuttings, certificates of recognition and coordination with city officials and communications staff.
"The services that we provide from Cathedral City are at no cost to the businesses," Bessel said, describing a process that asks organizers to notify the city two to four weeks before an event so staff can handle logistics and invite dignitaries. The presentation noted additional city resources, including one-on-one business counseling through the Coachella Valley Women’s Business Center and multiweek workshops in partnership with the Small Business Development Center and Riverside County’s economic development office.
Commissioners asked how to reach creative-economy businesses in the Perez Art District and suggested a targeted outreach session for gallery owners. Bessel said the Ignite team can provide a slide deck and contact information for event requests at econdev@cathedralcity.gov, and that the service is available for remodel celebrations, milestone anniversaries and grand openings.
Why it matters: Local arts businesses often lack the staff or know-how to organize public events. Commission members said the city’s free ribbon-cutting and communications assistance could raise visibility for galleries and studios and help sustain the Perez Art District’s growth.
Next steps: Commissioners volunteered to share Bessel’s materials with gallery mailing lists and to explore a special training session or in-gallery presentation to increase uptake by local artists.
