Rancho Cordova Plans Incentives for Family Fun & Dining
Rancho Cordova, recognized as California’s fifth-fastest-growing city, is grappling with a shortage of diverse family entertainment and fine dining options. With thousands of new homes being built and its population expanding rapidly, city leaders are stepping up to address this gap, proposing a significant financial incentive program to attract desired businesses.
Why Rancho Cordova is Seeking New Attractions
Despite its impressive growth, Rancho Cordova’s current landscape for family-oriented activities and upscale dining is limited. This scarcity has led new businesses like Peek-a-Boo Factory, which recently opened, to specifically choose Rancho Cordova due to the high demand for family-friendly places. Gabby Hernandez of Peek-a-Boo Factory highlights that the city boasts “the greatest growing population of kids and families in the entire Greater Sacramento area.”
Existing options, such as Sactown Family Fun’s minigolf and arcade, are appreciated, but residents express a clear desire for more. Stephanie Hudson from Sactown Family Fun articulated this sentiment, noting a lack of “fun places” and safe environments for children to enjoy within the city.
The Proposed Incentive Program
Offering Up to $25,000 for New Businesses
In response to this community need, Rancho Cordova city leaders are considering a bold proposal: offering up to $25,000 in cash incentives to businesses willing to establish operations in the city. This financial encouragement aims to directly tackle the current limitations and diversify the local economy.
Targeting Key Entertainment and Dining Sectors
The incentive program is specifically designed to attract a range of businesses vital for enhancing the city’s appeal as a family and leisure destination. The target categories include:
- Movie theaters
- Bowling alleys
- Fitness centers
- Child care services
- Full-service bars and restaurants
This strategic focus seeks to not only provide more options for residents but also to position Rancho Cordova as a vibrant destination for visitors from the wider Sacramento area.
| Current Offerings (Examples) | Businesses Targeted by Incentives |
|---|---|
| Peek-a-Boo Factory (Family Fun Center) | Movie Theaters |
| Sactown Family Fun (Minigolf & Arcade) | Bowling Alleys |
| Limited Fine Dining | Full-Service Bars & Restaurants |
| Limited Family Entertainment | Fitness Centers |
| Child Care Services |
Anticipated Benefits and Funding Source
City officials anticipate that these incentives will yield significant benefits, including a boost in local tax revenue. By creating more attractive entertainment and dining options, Rancho Cordova aims to encourage more people to choose the city as their go-to spot for family fun, fostering both economic growth and community satisfaction.
The initiative has garnered positive feedback from the community, with figures like Gabby Hernandez praising the effort to “recruit and find different opportunities.” The funding for these economic incentives is slated to come from a sales tax increase that Rancho Cordova voters approved back in 2020, demonstrating a pre-existing community commitment to investing in the city’s development.
What Happens Next?
The Rancho Cordova City Council is scheduled to hold a meeting on Monday to consider and potentially approve this incentive plan. This vote could be a pivotal moment for the city, setting the stage for significant enhancements to its entertainment and dining landscape in the coming years.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Rancho Cordova proposing?
The city is considering offering cash incentives of up to $25,000 to attract new family entertainment and dining businesses. - Why is Rancho Cordova implementing this?
As a fast-growing city, Rancho Cordova has identified a critical need for more fine dining and diverse family entertainment options for its expanding population. - What types of businesses are being targeted?
The incentives aim to attract movie theaters, bowling alleys, fitness centers, child care services, and full-service bars and restaurants. - Where will the funding for these incentives come from?
The economic incentives will be funded by a sales tax increase that Rancho Cordova voters approved in 2020. - When will the city council make a decision?
The City Council is expected to consider and potentially approve the plan at its upcoming meeting on Monday.
The potential approval of this plan could significantly reshape Rancho Cordova’s offerings, making it a more vibrant and appealing place for both its growing population and visitors looking for new experiences in the Sacramento area.
Rancho Cordova Incentivizes Family Fun and Dining
