Town of Paradise
Town Council Special Meeting Agenda
3:00 PM – August 10, 2026
Doug LaMalfa Town Council Chambers – 5555 Skyway, Paradise, CA
Meeting Procedures
I. The Mayor is the Presiding Chair and is responsible for maintaining an orderly meeting. The Mayor calls the meeting to order and introduces each item on the agenda.
II. The Town staff then provides a report to Council and answers questions from the Council.
III. Citizens are encouraged to participate in the meeting process and are provided several opportunities to address Council. Any speaker addressing the Council is limited to three minutes per speaker - fifteen minutes per agenda item A. If you wish to address the Council regarding a specific agenda item, please complete a “Request to Address Council” card and give it to the Town Clerk prior to the beginning of the meeting. This process is voluntary and allows for citizens to be called to the speaker podium in alphabetical order.
Comments and questions from the public must be directed to the Presiding Chair and Town Council Members (please do not address staff.) Town staff is available to address citizen concerns Monday through Thursday at Town Hall between the hours of 8am and 5pm.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Compliance, persons who need special accommodations to participate in the Town Council meeting may contact the Town Clerk at least three business days prior to the date of the meeting to provide time for any such accommodation.
Town Manager, Jennifer Macarthy
Town Attorney, Scott E. Huber
Town Clerk/Elections Official, Melanie Elvis
CDD, Planning & Onsite, Susan Hartman
CDD, Building & Code Enforcement, Tony Lindsey
Finance Director/Town Treasurer, Aimee Beleu
Public Works Director/Town Engineer, Marc Mattox
Division Chief, CAL FIRE/Paradise Fire, Jason Finney
Chief of Police, Eric Reinbold
Recovery & Economic Development Director, Colette Curtis Human Resources & Risk Management Director, Crystal Peters Information Systems Director, Luis Marquez
Mayor, Steve Crowder
Vice Mayor, Steve “Woody” Culleton
Council Member, Greg Bolin
Council Member, Heidi Lange
Council Member, Ronald Lassonde
1 1. OPENING
1a. Call to Order
1b. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America 1c. Roll Call
2. CONSIDERATION
2a. Discuss Council vision and priorities regarding Economic Development and Incentives Policy as part of the Long-Term Community Recovery Plan Update. (Recovery & Economic Development Director/Colette Curtis)
3. ADJOURNMENT
2 Town of Paradise
Council Agenda Summary
Date: August 10, 2026
Agenda Item: 2(a)
ORIGINATED BY: Colette Curtis, Recovery and Economic
Development Director
REVIEWED BY: Jennifer Macarthy, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Long Term Recovery Plan Update – Economic Development and Incentives Policy
LONG TERM
RECOVERY PLAN:
Yes
COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED:
1. Discuss Council vision and priorities regarding Economic Development and Incentives Policy as part of the Long-Term Community Recovery Plan Update.
Background:
In September 2025, Town Council directed staff to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a consultant to update the 2019 Long Term Community Recovery Plan, and in that update to focus on economic development and fire resilience. The Town hired Urban Design Associates (UDA) in November 2025, and since that time UDA and its subcontractors have been analyzing existing documents and data and soliciting community input regarding the updated plan. The current focus for this effort is preparing an Economic Development and Incentives Policy that will be part of the Long-Term Recovery Plan Update Document.
Analysis:
Town Council is being asked to hold a working session in which Council Members consider the information gathered so far and give feedback on the vision and priorities of the Economic Development and Incentives Policy framework. This feedback will be used as UDA and Town staff further hone the Plan over the next several months. A draft plan will be presented to Council for consideration and acceptance in early 2027.
Financial Impact:
There are no new financial impacts to the general fund associated with this item. This grant program funds projects at 100% with no required match.
3 Town Council Work Session
1 Town of Paradise, California:
Building Consensus for
Economic Development Policies & Programs
August 10, 2026
Presented by:
4 Economic Development Strategic
Plan Work Session
2 Agenda
I. Welcome and Introductions (2 min)
II. Economic Development 101: The Town's Role (10 min)
III. Draft Economic Development Strategic Plan (EDSP):
Preliminary Recommendations (5 min)
IV. Incentives Policy Guidance: Decision Points (10 min) V. Consensus Building Exercise: Worksheet Review/ Q&A (10 min) VI. Next Steps (5 min)
5 Economic Development Priorities
& Policies
Today’s Work Session
Focus:
Review Draft Economic
Development Strategy’s
Implementation Plan
Recommendations
Collect input on strategic
decision points early in the
process
3 Work Session Goals &
Objectives:
1) Obtain guidance on priorities for
attracting business investment
and development
2) Explore potential alternatives for
economic development policies,
programs, and initiatives – while
building consensus around them
6 Economic Development Strategy
Implementation Plan Update
4 Existing Conditions
Update (Real Estate
Development Focused):
Demographic trends and projections, economic base analysis, real estate gaps and opportunities, and target industry assessment
Recommended Policies,
Programs, and Initiatives:
Seven economic development goals with phased
implementation objectives and action steps, identified leads, cost estimates, funding sources, and performance metrics Incentives Policy
Evaluation:
Benchmarking assessment, recommended policy framework,
and proposed Development Funding Gap Assessment
methodology
Town Council Consensus
Building:
Economic Development Priority Setting Work Session (TODAY) (*includes Incentives Policy ranking)
Tasks Underway:
7 Existing Conditions
Economic Development
Drivers:
• Rapid residential growth
• Emerging commercial tax base
• Significant pending/proposed
infrastructure investments
• Opportunity to catalyze private
investment and development in
Downtown
5 Paradise Transition Drivers:
Market demand varies by
product type – most could
require public subsidy
Infrastructure readiness drives
feasibility (STP strategy
underway)
Investment follows clarity (e.g.,
formalized Business Attraction
Program and Incentives Policy)
8 Target Sectors & Focus Areas
Downtown Master
Plan guidance
provides a marketdriven approach to
prioritization
6 9
Target Sectors & Focus Areas
Key Questions for Council:
• How can the Town lead development
activity?
Example: Investing in infrastructure and site
readiness
Vs.
• Where should the Town respond?
Example: Facilitate/accelerate viable projects
that align with adopted priorities by avoiding
lengthy feasibility/planning
7 Which target areas
deserve prioritized
focus?
Not every development
opportunity site is optimal for
filling identified gaps—
Success lies in prioritized and
strategic business and investment
attraction tactics
10 Economic Development 101
What Is the Town’s Role in
Economic Development?
Local governments shape the conditions
to attract investment
Provide infrastructure and site
readiness
Align land use, policy, and capital
Reduce uncertainty and risk for private
investment
8 Policy Infrastructure Private
Investment Public Benefit
What the Town Should Not Do
• Build projects
• Directly market to retailers
• Compete with the private sector
• Serve as a Bank in lending for
development
11 How Local Governments Catalyze
Business & Investment
Primary Tools Available to
Paradise
Zoning & development standards
Predictable review & permitting
Infrastructure timing and sequencing
Incentives (used selectively)
Active relationship-building
9 WHY FOSTERING A
“CIVIC LEADERSHIP” CULTURE
MATTERS
1. Capital is mobile
2. Developers compare cities
3. Demonstrated clarity and
capacity =
competitive advantage
12 What Should This Strategy
Accomplish?
What does Economic Development Success Look
Like?
10 Near-Term:
Years 1-5
• Strategy Launch
& Quick Wins
Mid-Term:
Years 6-10
• ???
Long-Term:
Year 10+
• ???
• Resilient and growing tax base?
• Job creation?
• Retail & services?
• Higher-quality development?
• Long-term fiscal sustainability?
13 What Is Missing in Paradise Today?
Retail gaps
Jobs/housing imbalances
Few gathering places
Emerging market visibility
Undefined sense of place
Challenging development
economics
11 What’s
Missing
Often
Reveals the
Opportunity
14 From Issues to Ideas to Policy
What We’ve Established
• Growth is visible
• Commercial development is in demand, but
investment is stalled by project economics
• Prioritization of target uses/sectors is key
Next Phase
• Move from challenges → opportunities
• From ideas → priorities à economic development
policies, programs, initiatives and (possibly)
PRO Fund deployment
12 Discussion
→
Action
15 Economic Development Strategy
Draft Goals & Objectives
13 Goal 1: Business
Retention and
Expansion Program
• Formalize the Town's economic development
mission
• Expand the Town’s Development Concierge
functions
• Market streamlined permitting for low-impact
uses
• Leverage regional business support
programs;
• Launch an annual Development &
Investment Summit and
performance dashboard
Goal 2: Business and
Developer
Incentives Policy
• Complete the Development Funding Gap
Assessment
• Adopt a formal Incentives Policy by resolution
• Establish a Local Business Revolving Loan
Fund
• Define a fee abatement program for
priority CBD uses
• Evaluate infrastructure funding
alternatives post-STP
Goal 3: Community
Brand and Wildfire
Safety Narrative
• Reposition Paradise as one of California's
most fire-safe communities
• Develop a professional marketing Look Book
• Leverage HUBZone designation for
federal contractor recruitment
16 Economic Development Strategy
Draft Goals & Objectives
14 Goal 4: Downtown
Revitalization, Adaptive
Reuse, and Placemaking
• Develop GIS-based opportunity site inventory
• Pursue a business incubator in the vacant
Walgreens building
• Launch a downtown activation program
• Advance Cinema adaptive reuse feasibility
• Explore a New Town Hall as a civic anchor
(Long Term Target)
Goal 5: Healthcare and
Essential Services
Recruitment
• Pursue FQHC or FQHC Look-Alike designation
leveraging Paradise's HPSA and MUA status
• Initiate outreach to Dignity Health and Adventist
Health
• Evaluate Walgreens space for healthcare
anchor use
• Don’t give up on local health care services!
Industry evolving rapidly – keep trying
Goal 6: STP-Supported
Commercial Development
• Build formal F&B recruitment pipeline now, with
commitments contingent on STP Phase 1
completion
• Conduct a lodging development feasibility
study
• Evaluate EIFD formation as assessed value
firms up
Goal 7: Recreation
Destination Economy
• Develop a coordinated outdoor recreation
destination strategy
• Recruit trail-adjacent hospitality/guide services
• Cultivate angel investor interest in a
downtown shared market anchor
17 Measuring Economic Development
Progress – by the Numbers
15 Business &
Investment
New Businesses
Private Capital
Commercial SF
Place-Based &
Market Readiness
Vehicle Counts/Foot
Traffic on Priority
Corridors
Entitled → Built
Infrastructure
Milestones
Quality &
Community
Outcomes
Design Quality
Retail Gaps
Resident
Perception
Fiscal & Revenue
Health
Sales Tax
Growth
Commercial
Value
Tax Base Mix
18 Draft Implementation Plan Pre-View
16 19
Brainstorming Activity:
How to Prioritize Development Targets for
Incentives Policy Guidelines
What will yield the highest
return on public investment in
Paradise?
• Neighborhood-serving retail
• Light industrial / tech / flex
• Employment centers
• Outdoor recreation destinations
• Mixed-use nodes
• Supportive services
17 Examples:
Third Places
(Eating/ Drinking/Entertainment)
Daycare Facilities
Urgent Care/Medical
Clinics
20 Brainstorming Activity:
Place-Based Policy
Where Should the Town Be
Intentional?
• Corridors/Gateways to create sense of place
• Redevelopment sites to signal investmentreadiness
Policy Considerations
• Is subsidy needed (“But For Test”)?
• Infrastructure readiness
• Long-term maintenance costs
18 Input needed to
identify/rank
Economic
Development
“Priority
Projects”
21 Incentives Policy Industry Standards
& Best Practices
Where Policies Should
be Intentional:
• Small Business Revolving
Loan Funds
• Fee Abatement and Permit
Waiver Programs
• Cash Fund Deployment
Policies (PRO Fund
equivalent)
19 • Incentives are sized to close a
documented gap, not to
maximize public support
• leverage ratios of 3:1 private-topublic are standard • Council approval is required
above defined thresholds
• Performance benchmarks with
clawback provisions protect the
public investment
22 Economic Development Goal
Setting Worksheets
We Need
Your
Policy
Guidance!
20 #1: Economic Development Priority
Goals & Rankings
#2: Economic Development Funding
Gap Scenario Testing Options
#3: Incentives Policy Priorities
Summary Sheet (Weighted
Rankings)
23 Q&A/How to Provide Feedback
21 During this Meeting:
Verbal comment is welcome for incorporation
into the final strategy
Submit Your Worksheets:
Complete your worksheets (hard copy or
electronically) and submit to Colette or Molly
McKay.
Direct Follow-Up:
Contact Molly McKay with additional
comments, questions, or to schedule a call
Email: [email protected]
Cell: 202.510.0511
Formal Draft Review:
To be facilitated by Collette Curtis upon
submittal following the Town Council
Economic Development Work Session.
24 Next Steps & Milestones
1. Demographic trends and projections testing
2. Town Council Economic Development Priority
Setting Work Sheets – Tabulate Results
3. Summary of Findings Memo to Staff and Council
4. Final Draft Economic Development Strategy
Implementation Plan recommendations
22 Thank you for your
time and input!
Molly McKay, CEcD
Managing Principal, Willdan
Financial Services
[email protected]
202.510.0511
Willdan Financial & Economic
Consulting Services
Oakland, CA
www.willdan.com
25 Economic Development Priorities + Incentives Policy Evaluation 1
MEMORANDUM
TO: Jennifer Macarthy, Town Manager, Town of Paradise, CA FROM: Molly McKay, Willdan
COPY TO:
Colette Curtis, Director, Recovery and Economic Development, town of Paradise Barry Long/UDA/Project Team
DATE: August 6, 2026
SUBJECT: Long-Term Recovery Plan Update: Economic Development Strategy Work Plan Economic Development Strategy Work Plan
1.0 Executive Summary
Purpose
Willdan is serving as a subconsultant to Urban Design Associates tasked with preparing an Economic Development Strategy that will direct implementation activities related to the Long-Term Recovery Plan Update’s recommendations.
This memo is intended to provide a status update on work completed to date, data gaps and policy decisions needed to finalize the draft strategy. Staff and the Town Council are largely in agreement about priority economic development goals. Additional required input relates to specific programmatic guidelines for a new, formalized economic development incentives program.
This memo provides an overview of what tools the Town currently lacks, what framework is recommended to govern public investment in private development, and what decisions are needed from Town Council before the framework can be finalized and adopted. Note that we submitted a detailed Incentives Policy Framework Assessment memo to Colette Curtis that includes a benchmarking assessment, policy framework recommendations, and a proposed methodology for development incentives gap testing.
Existing Conditions Findings
Paradise's commercial recovery has lagged well behind residential rebuilding. With a current population of approximately 10,700 — roughly 40% of pre-fire levels — the Town does not yet consistently meet the population and traffic thresholds required by many national and regional retailers. At the same time, the gap between current construction costs and achievable rents makes new commercial development financially infeasible at market rates without some form of public assistance. The Town currently has no formal tools to address this gap.
Economic Development Policy/Program Gaps
Five specific gaps in the Town's existing incentives toolkit were identified: no formal business retention and attraction program or gap assessment methodology; no local revolving loan fund or small business financing mechanism; no fee abatement or permit waiver program; no policy governing deployment of PRO Fund resources for economic development investments; and no special assessment district or long-term infrastructure financing vehicle. The Town Attorney confirmed in January 2026 that the Town has full legal authority to establish a local business loan program using General Fund revenues. 26 Town of Paradise, CA
Long-Term Recovery Plan Update 2026
Economic Development Priorities + Inc
Preliminary Recommendations
Willdan recommends that the Town adopt a formal Incentives Policy Framework before committing PRO Fund resources to any individual project. The framework establishes staff-level screening criteria for incentive approvals across seven policy areas:
• Eligibility and targeting
• Financial need and gap sizing
• Loan program parameters
• Fee waiver parameters
• Performance benchmarks
• Clawback provisions
• Program administration
Key parameters include a recommended 3:1 private-to-public leverage ratio, a subsidy ceiling tied to documented funding gaps, third-party administration of the loan fund, and Council approval required for any award above $25,000.
Our work is concurrently focused on producing the Economic Development Strategy Implementation Plan while we conduct detailed analysis of incentives policy alternatives to ensure that when the plan is presented for Town Council adoption that a formalized Incentives Policy is ready for public release. The following section provides a summary of the Staff and Council action items needed to finalize these policy documents.
2.0 Requested Input
Please review and provide comment on the following deliverable outline.
Economic Development Strategy Implementation Plan – Draft Report Outline
1.0 Introduction (3 pages)
1.1 Background
1.2 Methodology and Approach
1.3 Policy Linkages
1.4 Economic Development Goals and Priorities
2.0 Existing Conditions Overview (4-5 pages)
2.1 Demographic Trends and Projections
2.2 Economic Base Analysis
2.3 Real Estate Gaps and Opportunities
2.4 Target Industry Attraction Strategies
3.0 Implementation Strategy (12 pages)
3.1 Implementation Partners
3.2 Policies, Programs and Initiatives – See Memo Attachment for Draft Overview
3.3 Estimated Costs
3.4 Funding Sources
4.0 Appendices (pages – TBD)
4.1 Demographic Analysis – Detailed Tables
4.2 Real Estate Market Supply and Demand Data
4.3 Pipeline Development Report
27 Town of Paradise, CA
Long-Term Recovery Plan Update 2026
Economic Development Priorities + Inc
Incentives Policy Assumptions – Council Input
Four policy decisions cannot be finalized without Council direction:
• Confirmation of the PRO Fund leverage ratio threshold • Determination of whether STP connection fee deferrals or waivers are appropriate prior to system stabilization
• Formal confirmation of the CBD incentive zone boundaries; and • Decision on whether forgivable loans will be authorized as a program category.
These items are addressed in the Goal Setting Worksheets attached to this memo and will be discussed at the Council Goal Setting Work Session on August 10, 2026.
Incentives Policy Assumptions – Staff Action Items
The PRO Fund currently supports approximately 58% of the Town's annual General Fund operating costs.
Before Council adopts a deployment policy for economic development use of these funds, staff should provide a current fund balance, projected annual operating draw, and an estimate of the discretionary balance available for investment without impairing reserves. This information is a prerequisite to responsible award limits and is recommended as a staff action prior to the work session.
Town Manager Input – Memo Attachments
Please review and confirm your authorization to distribute these documents directly to individual Town Council members via email:
• Draft Economic Development Strategy Implementation Plan Framework • Economic Development Goal Setting Worksheets:
o #1: Economic Development Priority Goals & Rankings
o #2: Economic Development Funding Gap Scenario Testing Options o #3: Incentives Policy Priorities Summary Sheet (Weighted Rankings)
3.0 Next Steps
Following the work session, Willdan will complete a Development Funding Gap Assessment testing the financial feasibility of priority development scenarios (examples could include rehabilitation, adaptive reuse or new construction of retail/dining/entertainment, flex industrial, and/or multifamily residential).
The analysis will test where market-rate development is feasible and where public assistance is needed.
The intent is to explain in layman’s terms why market rate development without subsidy does not currently work in Paradise for some project types that are highly desired by the community.
These findings will establish the final Incentives Policy parameters for Council adoption. The Gap Assessment and final policy recommendations are anticipated in late July 2026 following the proposed Town Council Goal Setting Work Session, with the full Economic Development Strategy Implementation Plan to follow in late summer 2026.
28 Town of Paradise, CA
Long-Term Recovery Plan Update 2026
Economic Development Priorities + Inc
ATTACHMENTS:
Draft Economic Development Strategy Framework
The following section provides an overview of preliminary economic development initiatives currently under evaluation and pending the City Council Goal Setting Work Session and incentives policy assessment findings. These ideas emerged from review of background documentation and market analyses prepared by Peloton, EPS, and BAE, and stakeholder interviews conducted in April 2026.
All are presented as draft recommendations subject to staff and Council input before finalizing additional implementation plan elements related to:
• Designated staff/implementation partner leads
• Implementation costs
• Potential Town and other funding sources and
• Performance metrics
Note that we recommend present this draft as a status update to the Economic Development Council on July 2 for initial feedback.
29 Town of Paradise, CA
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1.0 Civic Innovation Initiative
Policy/Program &
Supporting Initiatives Recommended Action Items Task Lead Implementation Partners Start/
End
Year
1.1 Pro-Business Civic
Culture & Development
Concierge Program
1. Designate single staff contact for
business/dev inquiries
2. Market Business Resource Guide and
permitting timelines
3. Establish Rapid Response Business
Assistance protocol with Chamber
Town Manager /
Economic
Development
Coordinator
Paradise Ridge Chamber
of Commerce; 3CORE Yrs 1–3
1.2 Annual Economic
Development Summit
1. Host annual business climate event with
Chamber and 3CORE
2. Present ED performance metrics annually
3. Conduct annual Business Climate Survey;
provide consistent/timely follow up on
business risks/findings
Town Manager / ED
Staff
Chamber of Commerce;
3CORE; NVCF Yrs 1–3
1.3 Economic Development
Dashboard & Annual
Reporting
1. Establish dashboard tracking: taxable sales
by category, retail vacancy, housing permits,
unemployment rate, PRO Fund deployment
2. Publish annual State of the Economy report
to Council
ED Staff / Admin
Services
3CORE; BAE Economics
(data baseline) Yrs 1–3
30 Town of Paradise, CA
Long-Term Recovery Plan Update 2026
Economic Development Priorities + Incentives Policy Evaluation 6
2.0 Business Retention & Expansion (BRE) Program
Policy/Program &
Supporting
Initiatives
Recommended Action Items Task Lead Implementation
Partners
Start/
End
Year
2.1 Formal BRE
Program: Ridge Rising
1. Form BRE Working Group with Chamber, 3CORE, NVCF
2. Conduct annual Business Climate Survey
3. Maintain BRE opportunity list tied to incentives policy targets Establish Rapid Response function for critical business needs ED Staff
Chamber of
Commerce; 3CORE;
NVCF; SBDC
Yrs 1–3
2.2 Small &
Independent Business
Support Program
1. Market small businesses to 3CORE, Butte SBDC, SCORE, CalOSBA resources to target businesses
2. Co-sponsor business development workshops and roundtables
3. Explore Economic Gardening program certification
(Lowe/Kauffman Foundation)
ED Staff
3CORE; Butte
SBDC; SCORE;
North Valley
Community
Foundation;
CalOSBA
Yrs 1–3
2.3 Healthcare &
Senior Services
Attraction Program
1. Pursue FQHC or Look-Alike designation (qualifies as HPSA/MUA)
2. Market population gains in communications to regional health systems (Adventist Health) to continue closing just-in-time critical care services
3. Structure Settlement Fund TI contribution + ground lease to close feasibility gap for targeted healthcare clinic service expansions Town
Manager / ED
Staff
Dignity Health
Oroville; Adventist
Health; Butte
County Public
Health; HRSA
Yrs 1–3
2.4 Commercial
Vitality Strategy:
Skyway Corridor &
CBD
1. Maintain active commercial vacancy inventory
2. Conduct systematic outreach to owners of key vacant properties
3.Connect available sites to marketing collateral and developer prospectus (Program 7.2)
4. Participate in ICSC and regional retail networking events ED Staff /
Community
Development
Chamber of
Commerce;
commercial
brokers; property
owners
Yrs 1–3
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3.0 Workforce Development & Entrepreneurship Program
Policy/Program &
Supporting
Initiatives
Recommended Action Items Task
Lead
Implementation
Partners
Start/ End
Year
3.1 Workforce Pathways:
Butte College & PUSD
Partnership
1. Market Town's established role: advocacy and cosponsorship, not direct administration
2. Survey top 20 employers annual to identify trades
certification and apprenticeship gaps
3. Aggressively market regional resources (i.e., Butte
College and PUSD co-sponsored education and training
workshops)
ED Staff
Butte College; PUSD;
Butte County WDB;
Employment Training
Panel; SBDC
Yrs 1–3
3.2 Remote Worker &
New Economy Support
1. Maintain and market broadband coverage and speed
capacity through annual audit data, highlighting
completed infrastructure upgrades as a competitive asset for remote worker and employer recruitment
2. Monitor CASF/BEAD funding opportunities and
advocate for continued investment to address any
remaining coverage or speed gaps identified through
annual audit
3. Develop co-working/small office facility in CBD (see also Program 5.3)
4. Develop remote worker attraction materials (see
Program 7.1)
ED Staff / IT
3CORE; CBSDA;
Butte County; state
broadband programs
Yrs 1–3
3.3 Childcare Services
Support Program
1. Market existing childcare supply widely to new
business/resident targets
2. Identify funding and regulatory pathways for new
childcare providers
3. Connect existing childcare providers to small business support program
ED Staff
Butte County;
Chamber of
Commerce; NVCF;
CalOSBA
Yrs 1–3
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4.0 Developer Incentives & Investment Program
Policy/Program &
Supporting Initiatives Recommended Action Items Task Lead Implementation
Partners
Start/
End
Year
4.1 Small Business
Revolving Loan Fund
1. Establish $10K–$250K RLF at below-market rates target project types
2. Administer through CDFI or SBDC affiliate; not directly by Town
3. Priority uses/development types: Downtown development sites, F&B (post-STP), professional services, healthcare, specialty retail Town Manager
/ Finance
CDFI partner; Butte
SBDC; North Valley
Community Foundation
Yrs 1–3
4.2 Development Funding
Gap Assessment & PRO
Fund Deployment Policy
1. Complete Development Funding Gap Assessment (pending Council input)
2. Draft PRO Fund deployment policy: authorized uses, reserve requirements, approval thresholds
3. Adopt by Council resolution before individual project commitments
4. Establish tiered approval: staff <$25K, Town Manager $25K–$75K, Council >$75K
Town Manager
/ Finance / ED
Staff
UDA (prime); legal
counsel; Finance Yrs 1–3
4.3 Fee Abatement & Permit
Fee Waiver Program
1. Define eligible uses and geographic zones (CBD, Skyway corridor)
2. Establish PRO Fund offset for waived fees
3. Adopt by resolution; no unfunded waivers
4. Review annually as part of budget cycle
Community
Development
/ Finance
Town Council; legal
counsel Yrs 1–3
4.4 Special Assessment
District Feasibility Study
1. As part of STP studies underway, evaluate assessment district feasibility and trigger conditions
2. Identify geographic boundaries and increment projections
3. Determine whether formation is viable prior to or following STP Phase 1
4. Coordinate with County Assessor and Finance
Finance / ED
Staff
Legal counsel; Butte
County Assessor; CDFA Yrs 4–5
4.5 Tourism Infrastructure
Cost-Sharing Program
1. Design cost-sharing program for offsite infrastructure for qualifying tourism-generating projects
2. Continue exploring opportunities to support/facilitate the Everybody Healthy Body Initiative, proposed local Sports Complex, and other Recreation Economy opportunities as an ongoing target sector
3. Link to branding strategy and event calendar
ED Staff /
Town Manager
Visit Butte County
(Explore Butte County);
hotel developers; UDA
Yrs 4–5
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5.0 Placemaking Infrastructure & Downtown Revitalization Program Policy/Program &
Supporting
Initiatives
Recommended Action Items Task Lead Implementation
Partners
Start/
End
Year
5.1 Town Gateways &
Wayfinding Program
1. Implement entry improvements at primary Skyway corridor arrival points
2. Install expanded wayfinding to CBD, Paradise Lake, Lime Saddle Marina, trails, and cultural venues
3. Coordinate with Caltrans and Butte County as applicable
4. Align with UDA Downtown Master Plan Recommendations
Public Works
/ Community
Development
UDA; Caltrans;
Chamber of Commerce Yrs 1–3
5.2 Public Gathering
Spaces & Downtown
Activation
1. Implement CBD lighting improvements and outdoor dining standards
2. Establish pop-up market and event calendar (pre-STP
activation)
3. Develop Community Park gathering space plan
4. Pursue alleyway beautification consistent with UDA plan Community
Development
/ Parks & Rec
UDA; Chamber;
Downtown business
owners; Theatre on the
Ridge; event organizers
Yrs 1–3
5.3 Co-Working & Small
Office Development
1. Structure Town ground lease or Settlement Fund investment for 5,000–8,000 sf divisible professional suite building
2. Target CBD location; design for divisibility into small suites
3. Market to remote workers, healthcare, professional services, and small office users
4. Explore P3 structure with private operator
Town
Manager / ED
Staff
UDA; private developer;
CDFI; Chamber Yrs 3–5
5.4 Major Projects:
Long-Term
Implementation
1. Maintain developer pipeline outreach for key adaptive reuse sites
2. Develop public market hall feasibility study
3.Pursue mixed-use residential-over-commercial as STP
timeline firms up
4. Link to Gap Assessment findings and Settlement Fund
deployment policy
ED Staff /
Community
Development
UDA; private
developers; CDFI; EDA
Yrs 4–5 /
Yrs 6+
34 Town of Paradise, CA
Long-Term Recovery Plan Update 2026
Economic Development Priorities + Incentives Policy Evaluation 10
6.0 Tourism & Recreation Economy Attraction Strategy
Policy/Program &
Supporting Initiatives Recommended Action Items Task Lead Implementation Partners Start/
End
Year
6.1 Tourism & Outdoor
Recreation Asset
Activation
1. Inventory and prioritize outdoor recreation assets
2. Develop visitor experience map and seasonal
programming calendar
3. Coordinate with Explore Butte County on co-marketing
4. Establish linkage to Town gateway and wayfinding
system
ED Staff
Explore Butte County;
State Parks; Lime Saddle
Marina operator;
Chamber
Yrs 1–3
6.2 Cultural & Arts
Economy Support
1. Establish coordinated event and programming calendar across cultural institutions
2. Develop co-promotion strategy with Chamber and
Explore Butte County
3. Explore outdoor event programming (festivals, markets, outdoor concerts) that generates visitor spending pre-STP ED Staff /
Parks & Rec
Theatre on the Ridge;
Gold Nugget Museum;
Art Center; Performing
Arts Center; Chamber
Yrs 1–3
6.3 Short-Term Rental
Program Support
1. Develop STR registration and compliance support
program
2. Promote STR availability through visitor marketing
channels
3. Track STR inventory as part of ED Dashboard lodging
metrics
Community
Development
/ ED Staff
Chamber; Explore Butte
County; Airbnb/VRBO
platforms
Yrs 1–3
6.4 Lodging Development
Recruitment
1. Commission hotel feasibility study in Yrs 6+ (Post STP)
2. Identify preferred development sites in coordination with UDA
3. Recruit boutique/limited-service operator targeting
outdoor recreation and event segment
4. Structure ground lease or cost-sharing incentive tied to program 4.5
ED Staff /
Town
Manager
UDA; hotel developers;
Explore Butte County;
CoStar broker network
Yrs 6+
35 Town of Paradise, CA
Long-Term Recovery Plan Update 2026
Economic Development Priorities + Incentives Policy Evaluation 11
7.0 Economic Development Marketing & Branding Strategy
Policy/Program &
Supporting
Initiatives
Recommended Action Items Task
Lead
Implementation
Partners
Start/
End
Year
7.1 Place Identity &
Brand Development
1. Develop Paradise place identity and brand standards with UDA and Chamber
2. Create call-to-action phrase through stakeholder process
3. Establish brand standards for use across all Town ED communications
4. Frame narrative around outdoor recreation, community reinvention, quality of life and affordability
ED Staff
/ Town
Manager
UDA; Chamber;
3CORE Yrs 1–3
7.2 Business
Recruitment Pitch Kit
& Market Guide
1. Produce work plan for ongoing updates to integrated branded pitch kit with market data, available sites, and success story profiles
2. Create annual Paradise Market Guide (updated from existing data sources)
3. Develop developer prospectus for priority sites (Cinema, Clark Road pads, CBD retail)
4. Establish standalone ED webpage or microsite
ED Staff
UDA; Chamber;
commercial brokers;
CoStar
Yrs 1–3
7.3 Priority
Recruitment Targets
1. Priority targets: grocery/specialty food; F&B operators (pre-STP pipeline); light industrial/agri-business; remote workers; outdoor recreation; boutique lodging; and expanded medical clinic/urgent care (long-term)
2. Develop target-specific outreach materials for each sector
3. Participate in CALED, regional ICSC, and applicable trade show events ED Staff
Chamber; 3CORE;
Butte County ED;
CALED; IEDC
Yrs 1–3
7.4 Communications
& Outreach
1. Maintain BRE annual visit cycle with local businesses
2. Coordinate with 3CORE, Butte County ED, SBDC, and NVCF on pipeline sharing
3. Monitor CalOSBA, EDA, USDA Rural Development, and CDFI Fund programs
4. Participate in CALED, IEDC, and regional ULI events as resources allow ED Staff
3CORE; Butte County;
SBDC; NVCF;
CalOSBA; EDA; USDA
RD
Yrs 1–3
36 Town of Paradise, CA
Long-Term Recovery Plan Update 2026
Economic Development Priorities + Incentives Policy Evaluation 12
8.0 Housing Production Support Program
Policy/Program &
Supporting Initiatives Recommended Action Items Task Lead Implementation Partners Start/
End
Year
8.1 Housing Production
Coordination & Tracking
1. Maintain running inventory of residential permits, COs, and multifamily pipeline
2. Integrate housing metrics into ED Dashboard (Program
1.3)
3. Track pace against BAE projections; report to Council annually
4. Flag deceleration trends for policy response
Community
Development
/ ED Staff
Building Department;
Finance; BAE (baseline
data)
Yrs 1–3
8.2 Multifamily
Development Outreach
1. Conduct systematic outreach to multifamily developers active in Northern California
2. Leverage CDBG-DR relationships and North Valley
Community Foundation affordable housing partnerships
4. Position Paradise as most active recovery market in the region
5. Sponsor developer forum on zoning and incentive
framework
Community
Development
/ ED Staff
NVCF; CDBG-DR
program contacts; ULI;
affordable housing
developers
Yrs 1–3
8.3 Zoning & Regulatory
Support for Housing
Production
1. Maintain and market the Town's streamlined entitlement process; monitor for re-emergence of barriers
2. Evaluate parking requirement reductions for downtown mixed-use residential
3. Ensure General Plan land use designations accommodate proposed growth scenarios
4. Align with UDA Downtown Master Plan residential capacity assumptions
Community
Development
UDA; Planning
Commission; Town
Council
Yrs 1–3
37 Economic Development Priorities + Incentives Policy Evaluation 13 Economic Development Goal
Setting Work Session
Audience: Staff & City Council
DRAFT WORKSHEETS
38 Town of Paradise Economic Development Strategy 2026/27-2030/31 Page 1 of 3 Town of Paradise
Economic Development Priorities & Goal Setting
Long-Term Recovery Plan Update | April 2026
How to use this worksheet:
1. Review each goal or funding gap scenario below.
2. Check (☑) items you support expanding into a new Town policy, program or initiative.
3. Rank your top priorities (1 = highest) in the Rank column.
4. Note any edits or conditions in the Comments column.
5. Take a picture of the worksheets and text/email to Molly McKay (202.510.0511 or [email protected]) WORKSHEET # 1 —ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PRIORITY GOALS & RANKINGS Instructions: Check the goals you support. Rank your selections from 1 to 8 (Highest = 1).
Economic Development Goal Related Economic Development Policies/Programs/Initiatives ☑ Support
Rank
(1–8)
Comments /
Conditions
Tax Base Recovery
Reduced time to market/increased fiscal yields on new development will grow the taxable property and sales tax base faster and reduce dependence on PG&E settlement funds (currently accounting for ~58% of General Fund revenues). ☐
Development-Ready
Land/Building Inventory
Advance major development projects and restore commercial activity in the Downtown Core by designating the Skyway–Pearson CBD as the Town’s primary target investment zone; actively facilitate land assemblage and build-to-suit opportunities.
☐
Economic Development
Barrier Mitigation (Insurance
Costs, Funding Gaps)
Provide targeted financial tools — revolving loan fund, fee waivers, technical assistance — to support startup, early-stage, and mid- to large-scale target sector businesses with documented funding gaps through a formalized Business Incentives Program.
☐
.
Workforce
Readiness/Upskilling
Training Programs
Connect residents with upskilling resources that match target employers’ talent pipeline needs. Today, ~84% of local jobs are held by in-commuters while a similar share of residents commute out.
☐
Business Retention &
Expansion Program Supports
Retention: strengthen regional partnerships offering small business literacy and start-up support resources; Attraction: 1) Attract targeted commercial/industrial employers, professional services, and other new uses that generate income from outside the community. 2) Launch a Recreation Destination Economy cluster strategy linking Paradise identity to amenities, increasing stays + spending. ☐
Leverage Infrastructure
Readiness Investment
Near Term: actively market new sewer capacity to target sectors; Mid-to LongTerm: Establish specific economic development incentive targets that prioritize catalytic private investments aligned with the STP Phase 1 service area (Phase 1 service by 2030) to accelerate stabilized STP operations. ☐
Civic Marketing & Branding
Widely communicate the Town’s proactive, intentional approach to business investment and development through quarterly roundtables and participation in regional economic development events. Track successes and report back to Council and the development community.
☐
Other?
39 Town of Paradise Economic Development Strategy 2026/27-2030/31 Page 2 of 3 WORKSHEET # 2 — ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FUNDING GAP TESTING OPTIONS Instructions: 1) Identify which scenarios you want tested in the Funding Gap Assessment. Rank your priorities from 1 to 7 (Highest = 1).
Scenario Use Type Approx.
Scale
STP
Required
Catalytic
Potential Primary Gap Type ☑
Test
Rank
(1–12)
Notes /
Conditions
A. REHABILITATION / REUSE – FASTER DELIVERY, LOWER COST
1. Storefront Rehab Retail / Personal Service 1,500–
2,500 sf No Moderate Business Operator
2. Commercial Building
Conversion Incubator / Multi-tenant 5,000–
8,000 sf No Moderate Mixed (Developer + Operator)
3. Café / Coffee Shop Rehab Food & Beverage (limited) 800–1,200 sf No Moderate Business Operator
4. Small-Business Incubator Co-working / Startup 3,000– 5,000 sf No High Business Operator
5. Cinema Adaptive Reuse Entertainment / Mixed-Use 25,000+ sf Yes High Developer (High Rehab Cost)
B. NEW CONSTRUCTION – COMMERCIAL / MIXED-USE DEVELOPER TARGETS
1. Multi-Tenant Commercial Neighborhood Retail Center 10,000– 15,000 sf Yes High Developer
2. Professional Office Medical / Office 5,000–
8,000 sf Preferred Moderate Developer
3. Retail Pad / Drive-Through Credit Tenant / QSR 2,000– 3,000 sf Preferred Low Developer
4.Mixed-Use Residential Residential + Retail 10–20
units + GF Yes High Developer
5. Public Market / Food Hall
(“Food Park”) P3 / Civic Anchor 5,000–
8,000 sf No High Public + Developer (P3)
6. Destination Recreation
Economy Facilities
Small-Scale Wellness Lodging or
Comfort Amenity Cluster
5,000–
8,000 sf Preferred High Public + Developer (P3)
C. FOOD & BEVERAGE DESTINATION – HYBRID LANDOWNER + BUSINESS OPERATOR TARGETS
1. Full-Service Restaurant Food & Beverage (full) 2,000– 3,500 sf Yes High Landowner + Operator
2. Brewpub / Taproom Destination F&B 3,000–
4,500 sf Yes High Landowner + Operator
D. FLEX / LIGHT INDUSTRIAL – TARGET INDUSTRY STRATEGY/CORE NEW TAX GENERATOR
1. Small-Bay Flex Industrial Light Industrial / Contractor / Maker 10,000– 30,000 sf No High Developer
2. Build-to-Suit Industrial Industrial / Service / Tech-enabled 1–5 acres No High Landowner + Developer + Operator
40 Town of Paradise Economic Development Strategy 2026/27-2030/31 Page 3 of 3 WORKSHEET # 3 —FUNDING GAP TESTING OPTIONS SUMMARY SHEET (WEIGHTED RANKINGS) Instructions: Carry over your top 7 Development Funding Gap testing selections and score the economic benefits of each scenario selected from 1 to 5 (5 is highest benefit) to produce a final weighted score.
Ranking Scenario
Speed to
Tax
Revenues
(1-5)
Fiscal
Benefits
($ Value of
Tax Yield)
Opportunity
for Catalytic
Investment?
(1–5)
Alignment with
Economic
Development
Priorities?
(1-5)
Weighted
Score
(Highest =
Priority
Notes / Conditions
1 2
3 4
5 6
7 OTHER NOTES/QUESTIONS/
RECOMMENDATIONS?
Paradise Staff/Town Council Member Initials: _________________________________ Date: _____________________ Note: Anonymized responses will be compiled by Willdan in the Development Funding Gap Assessment report as the basis for Economic Development Strategy and Incentives Policy recommendations.
41