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Calaveras Chamber says TOT-funded workshops, marketing and new ETP program are boosting rural businesses
Summary
Chamber presenters told the board how TOT funding backed workshops, one-on-one consultations and marketing that reached hundreds of thousands online, and described a new California Employment Training Panel (ETP) reimbursement program being piloted with local employers.
Representatives of the Calaveras Chamber of Commerce updated the Board of Supervisors March 24 on how Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) funding is being used for business capacity building, marketing and tourism promotion.
Chamber presenters said 2025 activity included more than 23 workshops and more than 100 one-on-one business consultations; in 2026 they reported 13 workshops completed to date and more than 30 planned through May. The chamber said its social-media and email outreach produced large audience numbers in 2025 (the presentation cited roughly 920,000 Facebook views and incremental Instagram reach), and that it will print 3,000 copies of a pilot printed guide called the Local Leaper to promote businesses and West End tourism.
The chamber described a recently awarded California Employment Training Panel (ETP) grant program to reimburse employers for training hours (presenter described reimbursement as roughly $20 per training hour for employers who retain hires for a specified period). The chamber said eight businesses are enrolled and it planned the first reimbursement submission in May.
Board members and residents asked how the chamber measures tourism impact from the West End investments. Chamber staff said they rely on social-media analytics, newsletter open rates (about 3,000 opens), SEO signals and direct feedback from local hotels and businesses. Members raised concerns that some residents who are not active on social platforms miss event notices; chamber staff suggested signing up for the newsletter and improving government email sign-ups for notices.
The chamber requested continued support for workshop capacity, marketing, printed materials and ETP outreach; the board thanked the presenters and asked staff to follow up on analytics and outreach improvements.
