Park City business groups cite staffing costs and worker housing in city summary

Park City business groups have raised concerns about staffing costs, employee retention and worker housing, according to a summary the city compiled, the Park Record reported. Staff prepared the summary for a discussion by Mayor Ryan Dickey and the City Council on economic development. ^[1]

City staff wrote that there is a "wide array of obstacles ranging from marketing needs to employee retention." The report said the common theme is that businesses are "feeling the weight of the long-term structural pressures that exist in Park City." Some groups also want to keep existing businesses in town and improve activity in their districts, the Park Record reported. ^[1]

At the meeting, elected officials did not support relaunching a grant program that assisted businesses and nonprofits from 2006 to 2022. They also did not want to move forward with a concept for funds to help private-sector planning for the 2034 Winter Olympics, the Park Record reported. ^[1]

Officials mentioned holding later talks about impact fees and possibly creating a loan-based form of economic development, but the Park Record said they did not appear likely to consider those imminently. It was not clear whether the summary will influence city policy. ^[1]