LAKEPORT >> The Lakeport Economic Development Advisory Committee (LEDAC) set some specific goals for the city council’s upcoming Economic Strategic Plan at its regular meeting on Wednesday.
Just like all economic discussions in the county, priority was given to building the tourism industry. However, the topic also brings up the dilemma of initial investment: either to draw more visitor traffic or improve the infrastructure, like hotels, to attract and hold the crowds.
The latter was considered to be important because the city and the county both suffer from a lack of well-reviewed lodging, which does not invite weekend tourists to stay an extra day. This in turn takes away opportunities for businesses and stunts the potential of the local wine industry.
“Basically we are looking for another hotel,” LEDAC member Bill Eaton said.
Preferably, a new hotel would come from a popular national chain. Community Development Director Kevin Ingram said the city has tried to attract a franchise since the Redevelopment Agency was formed. The problem, he added, is the frailty of the market with its short tourism window and the additional grading that would be required for a waterfront hotel.
“The profit line is so thin that it doesn’t take a whole lot to knock a project off,” Ingram said.
Further research and marketing into lodging may occur if Lakeport receives USDA funding via a recently applied grant for $150,000. Not only would it allow a feasibility study, but it may also give officials access to developers for major chains.
The short tourism window of spring and summertime may also be offset by the exponential growth of the region’s wineries, extending it into the winter months. According to Panette Talia, the executive director of Lakeport’s Main Street Association, the local grapes could bring a whole new element to tourism growth but owners need additional space for tourists.
“Wine is either going to make or break Lake County,” Talia said.
Along with a focused goal on e-commerce and maintaining the city’s historic downtown, the city turned its attention to Main Street’s businesses, adding a goal of promoting curb appeal and good practices.
To Ingram, one of the keys to a business’s success in Lakeport is passing the “eye test” by keeping a clean image. He cited as positives businesses like O’Meara Bros. Brewing Company. In contrast, he said, some stores on the corridor don’t pay attention to their adjacent sidewalks.
“That’s often reflected inside too, with their customer service,” LEDAC chair Wilda Shock said.
Yet, solutions to changing that weren’t really found except for encouraging and educating the city’s business owners. Education could also extend to help getting businesses online.
The last goal was to encourage regional cooperation.
“We’re making good headway,” Ingram said. “If a hotel showed up today it would benefit the whole county.”
The next step for the committee is to develop objectives for these goals. It will meet again in June.
