Highlighting success within the economic landscape of our community

Special events in Tehachapi draw crowds and economic impact

The economic impact of special events in the City of Tehachapi is an important economic driver for both locals and tourists alike. There is the benefit of these events, whether it is hotel stays for larger events or additional revenue for small and large businesses while people visit Tehachapi and Downtown, specifically.

There is also the impact brought on by the event itself, this includes the time by City Public Works, police and administrative staff to ensure the event is safe, efficient and secure for all those participating. Oftentimes much of these expenses are absorbed by city departments although the economic return to the city does not cover the costs, the positivity brought on by these events pays dividends in the future. The City of Tehachapi is one of the only small communities in Kern County that continues to host special events, a testament to the desirability of our community.

Summertime brings a host of events and using our data from Placer A.I., the City of Tehachapi can evaluate the attendance of these events to work with event organizers to ensure future planning needs are met as events grow and expand. This is done to ensure enough services such as restrooms, police officers, sanitation and road closures are provided.

Using geofence location data the following special events over the last year (Apple Festival numbers are from 2021 with the 2022 festival scheduled for Oct. 15-16), the following attendance was recorded for recent events showing their economic impact on the community:

All American 4th of July Festival: 4,000

Mountain Festival, Aug. 20-21: 11,800

Apple Festival (2021): 6,300

Tehachapi Farmers Market (Thursdays, June 2 - Sept. 1): 9,600 total, averaging 800 per week.

The value of these events can be found in the tourism created, for example the Mountain Festival drew enough visitors from areas as far north as Fresno to as far south as Irvine, along with a tremendous visitation from nearby communities such as Bakersfield and the Antelope Valley. These visitors often become customers of other local businesses, restaurants and purchase hotel rooms and fuel before leaving our community. These visit trends are similar with many events in the City of Tehachapi.

The City of Tehachapi continues to seek ways to support special events that choose to operate in the city while balancing responsibilities between event organizers and city staff. With that sort of balance and partnership, the economic impact and benefit to our local businesses can far outweigh the fiscal and physical impact on city staff and finances.

We look forward to another summer of events in 2023.

Towneplace Suites by Marriott nearing completion

After several construction delays due to COVID-19 and supply chain issues, the 85-room Towneplace Suites by Marriott, Tehachapi's first extended stay hotel, is nearing completion and targeting an opening date at the end of this month. Sales manager Taneka Clark recently provided a tour of the facility, the variety of extended stay rooms and the common spaces for guests.

Co.Starters registration open for entrepreneurs

The 10-week cohort program begins on Sept. 28 in Tehachapi each Wednesday from 4 to 7 p.m. Visit http://www.gokite.org/program/co-starters-core/ to register.

Postal ASAP celebrates new owners

The Conrad family officially celebrated their new ownership of Postal ASAP on Thursday, Sept. 8. The longtime Tehachapi business is located at 785 Tucker Rd., Ste. G.

For more Economic Development News visit http://www.liveuptehachapi.com/303/Economic-Development-News.