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Westminster considers business grants, short-term rental tracking, medical outreach and recreation investments including pickleball courts
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Summary
Staff described a local-development-corporation grant program that can match up to $5,000 for downtown property improvements and a Visit Oconee tool that mined Airbnb/VRBO activity and produced $1M in captured accommodations tax in a nearby jurisdiction; council also discussed attracting medical facilities, tourism accommodations on city land, and recreation investments such as pickleball courts and seeking a larger county subsidy.
Council discussed several items aimed at economic development and recreation: downtown rehab grants, short-term rental enforcement, attracting medical services, and recreation amenities.
Staff member (S3) described the Local Development Corporation grant: “you could ask for, up to $5,000,” he said, outlining a 50/50 match framework and expanded eligible work that now includes plumbing, electrical and landscape improvements to raise property values quickly. S3 said LDC review meetings are scheduled promptly after application so funds flow quickly to successful applicants.
On short-term rentals, S3 said the city can work with Visit Oconee and its software that “mines all the activity for Airbnbs, v VRBOs, and says, here's where that's happening,” noting a nearby jurisdiction captured an additional $1 million in accommodations tax after using the tool. Staff offered to check Westminster’s listings and report back.
Council members also discussed attracting medical providers to town and the potential to leverage up to 27 acres the city owns near Chow Ram Park for lodging or cottage-style visitor accommodations tied to regional tournaments. For recreation, Mayor (S2) and council raised pickleball courts as a high-demand amenity and advocated seeking grants or lower-cost surfacing; S2 also called on the county to increase its recreation subsidy to better match the city’s costs for serving county residents.
Council asked staff to follow up with Visit Oconee, the LDC and potential developers and to bring grant and subsidy analyses to upcoming budget discussions.