Raju Mehta has operated his business, El Paseo Jewelers, on El Paseo in Palm Desert for over 22 years. Raju is deeply invested in the community and believes that a new CSU in Palm Desert would positively benefit the Coachella Valley in numerous ways. Specifically, Raju knows that an influx of students will ultimately help local businesses, including his own—parents of students at a new CSU will likely visit El Paseo which is high on the list of tourist destinations within the Coachella Valley and a great street to walk. Additionally, Raju believes the Coachella Valley is not nearly as expensive as other locations where CSUs are located, thereby make it a much more affordable option. Having two daughters who attended college in Los Angeles, Raju is all too familiar with college expenses in a large city.