Title
Planning and Building Department, Economic Development Division, recommending the Board:
1) Receive and file a presentation from the Greater Sacramento Economic Council on the activities completed during the Fiscal Year 2023-24 pursuant to the organizations’ Funding Agreement; and
2) Receive and file annual reports from El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce - Film Commission, El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce - Visitor’s Authority, El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce - Welcome Center, Lake Tahoe South Shore Chamber of Commerce, and Tahoe Prosperity Center related to their respective activities completed during the Fiscal Year 2023-24 pursuant to each organization's funding agreement.
FUNDING: N/A
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
Board Policy B-16, Budget Policies, provides that DTOT, excluding voter-approved Tahoe area-specific revenue, shall be directed toward the impact of tourism and economic development, with consideration for support of tourism and promotion activities within the County and for continued support for grant fund allocations to support Veteran programs within the County.
Pursuant to each organizations’ Funding Agreement, the El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce - Film Commission, the El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce - Visitor’s Authority, the El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce - Welcome Center, Lake Tahoe South Shore Chamber of Commerce, Tahoe Prosperity Center, and Greater Sacramento Economic Council, submit their annual report on activities completed during Fiscal Year 2023-24.
The County has contracted with each of the organizations annually since: El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce - Film Commission, El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce - Visitor's Authority, El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce - Welcome Center, and Lake Tahoe South Shore Chamber of Commerce 2007; Greater Sacramento Economic Council 2016; and Tahoe Prosperity Center 2017.
Below is a summary of each Funding Agreement, including its objective, services, and/or resources provided. Please note that the contract amounts reflect two-year agreements.
Agreement 8771 with the Greater Sacramento Economic Council (GSEC) for the amount of $63,149 for a term of one year.
* Develop and utilize in-depth data and analytics to guide strategic economic development efforts and improve the region's competitive position.
* Strategically market the region to generate qualified company prospects in targeted economic clusters.
* Leverage public and private partners and resources to locate qualified prospects.
Agreement 7703 with the El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce - Film Commission, with a not-to-exceed amount of $301,500 for a term of two years.
* Marketing & Advertising: Explore cost-effective participation in industry events, enhance online presence (filmtahoe.com), engage media to promote filming in El Dorado County, and customize advertising strategies for print, web, and interactive platforms.
* Outreach & Community Engagement: Sponsor and collaborate with film organizations, support relocating film professionals, participate in speaking engagements, and host public events like the annual “Film Industry Mixer.”
* Economic Development & Incentives: Promote local product placement in films, pursue county incentives (e.g., no-fee locations, free office space), and identify new business opportunities and unique filming locations.
* Administrative & Organizational Programs: Maintain required documentation, archive media and promotional materials, and strive to meet or exceed annual film shoot goals.
Agreement 7705 with the El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce - Visitor’s Authority, with a not-to-exceed amount of $558,796 for a term of two years.
* Branding, Content & Advertising: Print and distribute travel guides, maintain an updated website and social media presence, create videos and curate content, and develop advertising partnerships to unify the destination message.
* Visitor Engagement & Sales: Staff a Visitor Information Center, respond to tourism inquiries, generate sales leads through trade shows, and collaborate with neighboring destinations to enhance regional tourism efforts.
* Digital Marketing & Search Engine Optimization (SEO): Implement a digital marketing strategy with paid and organic social media, e-blasts, and video content, while optimizing website traffic through SEO and analytics.
* Strategic Alliances & Performance Tracking: Build partnerships with tourism stakeholders, educate the community on tourism’s benefits, host an annual tourism meeting, and measure impact through website analytics, Return on Investment (ROI) tracking, and visitor studies.
Agreement 7708 with the El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce - Welcome Center, with a not-to-exceed amount of $220,640 for a term of two years.
* Center Operations & Staffing: Keep the California Welcome Center open seven days a week, fully staffed, and stocked with local and state visitor materials.
* Promotion of Local Tourism Assets: Highlight El Dorado County attractions such as wineries, the Rubicon Trail, and Gold Bug Mine, while promoting local products in the gift store.
* Visitor Engagement & Referral Services: Attract at least 10,000 visitors annually, with a focus on bringing in guests from outside the county and referring them to local businesses and tourism assets.
* Contract Compliance & Continuation: Maintain operations per Visit California's contract, including holiday closures, and continue services requested by the county.
Agreement 7709 with the Lake Tahoe South Shore Chamber of Commerce, with a not-to-exceed amount of $157,900 for a term of two years.
* Business & Community Development: Produce business best practice and Chamber Member Showcase video series, promote free business coaching, host Leadership Lake Tahoe, and continue Level UP workshops and town hall forums.
* Workforce Development & Affordable Housing: Support workforce training through partnerships with ADVANCE and RBEC, advocate for affordable housing initiatives with TRPA, and engage with the City of South Lake Tahoe on housing policies.
* Marketing & Promotions: Expand Go Local Tahoe promotions with video content, continue the e-gift card program, support the South Tahoe Restaurant Association (STRA), and enhance the Sample the Sierra festival.
* Community Engagement & Economic Growth: Strengthen partnerships with local businesses, promote regional collaboration, and ensure marketing and workforce initiatives align with the evolving needs of the South Shore community.
Agreement 7713 with the Tahoe Prosperity Center, with a not-to-exceed amount of $60,000 for a term of two years.
* Economic Diversification & Resilience: Coordinate regional California Economic Resilience Fund (CERF) projects, facilitate Envision Tahoe Catalyst meetings, support industry work groups, and provide socio-economic data reports for El Dorado County.
* Housing & Community Development: Support the Housing Tahoe Partnership by convening key stakeholders, advocating for workforce housing incentives, and assisting El Dorado County with housing-related initiatives.
* Infrastructure & Public Safety: Maintain the Alert Tahoe camera system for wildfire detection, update economic indicator data through Measuring for Prosperity, and expand broadband access through the Connected Tahoe Project.
* Regional Collaboration & Economic Growth: Host the annual Tahoe Economic Summit, engage with local and state agencies, and align economic, housing, and broadband efforts with El Dorado County’s long-term development goals.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board could choose not to receive and file the presentation from GSEC or the annual reports from El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce - Film Commission, El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce - Visitor’s Authority, El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce - Welcome Center, Lake Tahoe South Shore Chamber of Commerce, and Tahoe Prosperity Center.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
See Discussion/Background above.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
N/A
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Receive and file as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no change to Net County Cost associated with this item. The total amount of the discussed Funding Agreements for the two-year period from July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2025, was $1,298,836 and was funded with Discretionary Transient Occupancy Tax revenue.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
N/A
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
These Funding Agreements address all elements of the Economic Development component of the County’s Strategic Plan.
CONTACT
Kyle Zimbelman, Economic and Business Relations Manager
Planning and Building Department