Palm Springs one step closer to having a new Sister City relationship

We’ve been following the efforts of some city business leaders to re-establish a Sister Cities program since early March. Now we’ve got a milestone to report.

The news: During a meeting of the Main Street Palm Springs business association last week, Al Jones, who co-chairs the committee working to re-establish the program, said a crucial piece of the puzzle is now in place.

• Palm Springs Mayor Lisa Middleton sent a formal proposal letter to the mayor of San Miguel de Allende (a city in Mexico seen above).
   
• “The mayor has accepted our invite and we are excepting in mid-October for representatives from there to be here in Palm Springs,” Middleton said.

Why it matters: Besides a cultural and economic exchange, when cities establish a sisterhood there are opportunities for educational exchanges between students and teachers in the respective cities and even philanthropic aid.

• Look no further than Cathedral City for inspiration. That city has a sister city relationship with Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico which has blossomed into the annual Taste of Jalisco Festival complete with musicians, tequila tastings, food trucks, and an artisan vendor market.