Indio officials encourage restaurant owners to apply for $5,000 grants

Second weekend of Coachella sees more citations, fewer arrests than in 2022

By City News Service By City News Service

City officials last Monday encouraged restaurant owners in Indio to apply for a $5,000 grant to help with business expenses.

The deadline to apply for this season’s grant cycle is May 7. More information and the applications can be found at restaurantscare.org/resilience.

“By investing in their businesses, restaurant owners can enhance their operations and provide an even better experience for our community,” said Indio’s Economic Development Director Carl Morgan. “This will encourage more people to dine and shop locally, supporting our local economy and keeping dollars within our community.”

The grants are funded by SoCalGas’ donation of $1 million to the California Restaurant Foundation’s Restaurant Care Resilience Fund, according to a statement from the city. The funding can be used to address unforeseen hardships and for kitchen equipment, technical upgrades, employee training and bonuses.

Independent restaurants with no more than five locations making less than $3 million in revenue a year can apply for the funds, city officials said. California restaurant owners who have applied and received the grant before are encouraged to re-apply, but first-time applicants will receive priority.

“This is a great opportunity for Indio restaurants to secure financial help with improvements to their facilities or staff and contribute to the success of their business,” Morgan said.

The second weekend of the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival saw a decrease in arrests and a slight increase in citations compared with last year. According to statistics released by the Indio Police Department, this year saw a 9% increase in citations and a 39% decrease in arrests compared with the second weekend of 2022’s festival.

Police reported 80 citations issued, mostly for unlawful use of a handicap-parking placard. A total of 105 arrests were made, the majority of them for public intoxication.

Other arrests made throughout the weekend included 15 for alleged use of false identification, five for alleged possession of drugs for sale and one for alleged property crimes. There were also four citations issued for people parking in a handicap parking spot.

The Stagecoach country music festival will be held next weekend.

Indio police urged anyone who sees suspicious activity to contact the Coachella Valley Crime Stoppers line at 760-341-STOP (7867), or call 911 in emergencies.