Calaveras County

to leverage the airport as a gateway to Calaveras County’s numerous attractions, including the famous Calaveras Jumping Frog Jubilee and local wineries beginning to rival Napa in renown and quality. “Our local wineries, like Ironstone, which hosts a popular summer concert series, are becoming well- known,” Gallino adds, reinforcing the idea that the airport could play a crucial role in enhancing accessibility to these events and venues, ultimately supporting the county’s economic growth through increased visitor numbers. ADDRESSING HOUSING AND DEVELOPMENT CHALLENGES Calaveras County, celebrated for its scenic landscapes and vibrant tourist attractions, faces significant challenges in housing and infrastructure that require urgent attention. Gallino highlights ongoing efforts to expand lodging options in response to the area’s booming tourism sector. “We’re working with two hotel developers to increase our hotel space significantly,” she shares. The current count of 350 rooms falls short of demand, prompting initiatives to double this number. In addition to traditional hotels, the county also embraces alternative accommodations. “Up Highway 4, from Murphys to Arnold and Avery, we have many beautiful mountain homes and cabins available as Airbnbs,” Gallino adds, noting these areas are particularly popular among tourists seeking a more intimate connection with nature. Housing remains a pressing issue, exacerbated by a post-COVID influx of new residents and the local housing stock not keeping pace with demand.“We’re feeling a very strong pinch in housing availability,” Gallino admits,revealing her involvement in a housing partnership to address this crisis.“We’re working on securing $47 million in grants for various projects, including economic and housing development,” she says. The strategy includes increasing broadband infrastructure to improve connectivity for remote work and local businesses, which is essential in a predominantly rural setting. The necessity of workforce housing is another critical topic Gallino touches on, particularly for essential 5 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 11, ISSUE 05 CALAVERAS COUNTY & CALAVERAS COUNTY AIRPORT