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Consultant says Needles population stabilizing but grocery, housing markets remain constrained
Summary
Economic development consultant Michael Bracken told the council Needles’ long population decline has stabilized and showed gains in education rates, but retail and housing markets remain challenged without government subsidies; he recommended targeted approaches including motel conversions and investor rehab of existing homes.
Michael Bracken, an economic development consultant, told the Needles City Council the city’s population decline has stopped and some education measures have improved, but local incomes remain far below national medians and retail and housing markets face structural constraints.
"Economic development is basically anything that increases the overall value of community," Bracken said, framing 'wealth' broadly to include partners, restaurants, hotels and…
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