The Dynamics and Complexity of Growth in Resort Communities Adapting to Change in the Yampa Valley Presented at Routt County Economic Development Corporative Luncheon on May 24, 2007 The main concern comes from the need for the county to understand the challenge that is posed by expected growth and development of “residential economic drivers”. Residential economic drivers consist mainly of second homes, but they also include retirees and Internet-based remote workers. While each of these industries makes important contributions to the local economy and community, their effects on the community are often missed or misunderstood. Most importantly, these industries create the need for a substantial increase in the workforce while, at the same time, cause housing prices to rise. The latter, in turn, leads to significant declines in the amounts of affordable housing that are available for these and other workers, increased traffic problems because of resulting long commutes, and wide-spread labor shortages because many workers cannot afford or do not chose to struggle with these two (housing and commuting) problems. For complete transcript of Jim Westkott’s Presentation select and download below
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