City of Palmdale's Coronavirus Update – 4/28/20

Here's Palmdale Mayor, Steve Hofbauer with today's COVID-19 Update:

If you look back in our nation’s history, people and communities come together and help each other in a time of crisis. That’s exactly what you’re seeing here in the Antelope Valley.

The Cities of Palmdale and Lancaster have been working together through this COVID 19 crisis almost since the beginning, and again we are joining forces on two collaborative efforts targeted to boost the local economy and improve safety on local public transit.

To assist Antelope Valley businesses impacted by the COVID-19 closures that began on March 15, 2020, the cities will launch an economic stimulus program where, if you buy a new car at either the Lancaster or Palmdale Auto Malls, you will receive a $500 gift card to spend here locally. If you buy a used car, you will receive a $250 gift card. We’ll be encouraging people to spend those gift cards locally, so we get a real local impact. The program is scheduled to begin May 15, and we hope it will be just one way we will see a restart for our local businesses.

We’ve been working with LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger and the Health Department towards a path of reopening our economy. They met today to discuss to the health department’s report on the methods in which opening can occur.

Also today, the City of Palmdale hosted a very productive Town Hall with many local businesses, as they shared their concerns and experiences on how COVID -19 affected them. We’re taking their input and we’re going to craft a plan to present to the County for our path to reopening.

Additionally, Lancaster and Palmdale are moving forward in a partnership with the Antelope Valley Transit Authority to provide extra public safety staffing and protection throughout the transit system.

Details on both programs will be announced at the cities’ respective City Council meetings over the next week.

These collaborations demonstrate that we really are stronger when we work together, and I hope this is the foundation for future regional collaborations.

Know this --- your City Council and City staff are dedicated to our residents in making our community as safe and as economically strong as possible, and that when we come through this---and we will— that we’ll be stronger than ever.

Always remember, #PalmdaleCares for you!