Economic report focuses on housing, and workforce loss

On Monday, the Placer County board of supervisors received a mixed report on the health of the Tahoe Basin economy.

In spring 2005 the supervisors contracted with Design Workshop to research a selection of redevelopment locations in Tahoe City and Kings Beach.

Last year, the Redevelopment Agency contracted with EPS to analyze the economic, social and regulatory practices, resulting in the comprehensive Economic and Redevelopment Strategies for Kings Beach and Tahoe City.

The key findings, as presented to the supervisors Monday at a meeting in Kings Beach, centered on insufficient workforce housing, lackluster tourist accommodations, declining retail sectors and major resort competition.

Additionally, areas in both Tahoe City and Kings Beach are losing trained employees and have a declining school enrollment, an indication the community is losing its permanent residents, the study found.

The report’s conclusions have already been put to use, according to a memorandum from Redevelopment Director Rich Colwell.

Agency staff is working with potential developers to frame future development concepts.

The study is available for public review on the Redevelopment Agency Web page at http://www.placer.ca.gov/CEO/Redevelopment.aspx.