TEHACHAPI, Calif. -- The City of Tehachapi is looking to partner with local business owners in an effort to beautify the city.

Everyone has heard of Adopt-a-Road programs, but a local business owner in Tehachapi came up with the idea of Adopt-a-Landscape for the city of Tehachapi and it’s an idea many people in the community are excited about.

Budgets are tight for 2010, and Susie Atherton, owner of Canine Creek, thought if people could sponsor landscapes throughout the city, it could help save the city money in its general fund.

Atherton said, "With the budgets being so tight for the cities, I thought it would be a really good idea for the local businesses to show pride in the community by helping the city pay for those landscaping projects by sponsoring different parts of the town.”

City manager Greg Garrett said when Atherton came to him with the idea he thought it was great.

“It’s one of those simple things. It’s when someone invents something and you think, ‘why didn’t I think of that?’" said Garrett. "But it’s obviously a great idea and simple idea and something we’re putting together now.”

The city will come up with a menu and a map where businesses, clubs or individuals can sponsor parks, like Railroad and Pioneer Park, the trees that line Curry Road and the pockets of bushes and flowers throughout downtown.

Garrett said, "They would get a little sign saying they’re paying for it, and the city of Tehachapi would obviously get some assistance to take care of the landscaping.”

Garrett said the city would make it affordable so both big businesses and small could help out.

And both Garrett and Atherton agree saying the plan is a win win for both the city and business owners.

Atherton said, "It’s just another way for business owners to take pride in the community that they are in. And if the city if willing to put up signage with the business name, it helps promote the businesses at the same time and also beautifying the city.”

Garrett said he plans to present the official proposal at the first City Council meeting in February.

The city hopes to then start the program by the end of February.