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<br />Economic Impact Analysis <br />The economic impact analysis would focus on the likely effects of the proposed project <br />(and alternatives) on businesses and jobs in Redwood City. <br /> <br />Economic Task 1: Project Initiation and Initial Data Review <br />We will meet with City staff to go over the topical and geographic dimensions of the <br />economic analysis (should it cover impacts in nearby cities? impacts on overall average <br />employee compensation as well as on number of jobs and impacts on competing <br />businesses?) and the types of data available on relevant existing conditions in Redwood <br />City (e.g., sales tax data and retail space inventory by geographic subarea). <br /> <br />Once the scope of the economic analysis has been refined, we will ask Costco to provide <br />information about the proposed project that is relevant to the economic analysis; that is, <br />information that will allow us to estimate the impacts of the store expansion and gas <br />station on jobs and retail activity. For example, we would ask about the use of store <br />space (area devoted to different uses/types of goods) in the expanded store compared to <br />the existing store; typical sales per square foot, the number of jobs in the existing and <br />expanded stores (and gas station), and wages and benefits associated with those jobs. <br /> <br />Economic Task 2: Assemble Background Data <br />Current Retail Spending. We will obtain sales tax data for the city of Redwood City, listing <br />sales in various types of outlets, from the State Board of Equalization. At the same time, <br />we will ask the City if it is possible to obtain - e.g., through their sales tax consultant - <br />more detailed data by geographic area (e.g., concentric circles around the Costco site). <br />We know the information available through the City's consultant is outlet-specific and <br />therefore may not be disclosed to the public. This level of detail is desirable, however, to <br />provide a basis for the most accurate assessment of possible impacts of the proposed <br />project. M&A would commit in advance not to divulge confidential data. <br /> <br />We will consult with City staff about whether the economic analysis should extend to <br />outlets south of the City limits into Menlo Park, recognizing that it may be difficult to <br />obtain retail sales tax data at the desired level of detail for locations outside Redwood <br />City. <br /> <br />Existing and Future Demand for Goods Offered at Costeo. To project the future level of <br />support for retail space and gas stations, we will assemble information about projected <br />population growth in Redwood City and the surrounding area, and particularly in <br />emerging areas that are expected to be predominantly residential for the next 5 to 10 <br />years. This information will provide the basis for projecting future demand for retail <br />goods in the market area. <br /> <br />Worker Compensation. Finally, we will ask the City for information about typical wages- <br />and-benefits paid to retail workers in Redwood City. If this information is not available <br />from the City, we would attempt to get it from the Chamber of Commerce, the <br />Downtown Business Group, or a similar source. <br /> <br />",---'------y-" . <br />