county of tuolumne - big oak flat village economic impact analysis

LWC was hired by GS Brothers, Inc. and Motherlode Planning to fulfill the County of Tuolumne's requirements for an economic impact analysis for any development of retail sales, retail services, or professional services that require a Conditional Use Permit. The economic assessment must include a sales tax cost benefit analysis, patronage analysis, and a vacant building analysis. The development, as proposed by GS Brothers, consisted of a 15-acre site with over 66,000 square feet of retail, restaurant, grocery, and lodging space.

LWC began by conducting interviews with business owners, Tuolumne County Planning Department Staff, and Chamber of Commerce and economic development representatives. Interviews were intended to augment data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, State Board of Equalization, the Economic Census, and traffic counts from the National Park Service Public Use Statistics Office. The report included a comprehensive analysis of trends in sales tax revenues, traffic/National Park visits at a nearby Yosemite Park entrance, business inventory in the study area and surrounding areas, and demand projections. LWC completed the project in approximately one month and within budget. The final report was presented to the Planning Commission in July of 2010.

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