2026-24

AUTHORIZING A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE NEWPORT BEACH COMMISSION AND SALVE REGINA UNIVERSITY TO CONDUCT AN ECONOMIC IMPACT STUDY OF EASTON’S BEACH

WHEREAS, Easton’s Beach supports a range of year-round activities, including seasonal recreation, events, food and beverage operations, facility rentals, educational programming, and tourism-related visitation; AND

WHEREAS, Easton’s Beach operations require ongoing municipal investment in infrastructure, maintenance, capital improvements, public safety, shoreline protection, and environmental stewardship; AND

WHEREAS, the City Council recognizes the importance of data-driven decision-making to guide future investments in municipal facilities and to ensure the long-term fiscal and environmental sustainability of Easton’s Beach; AND

WHEREAS, Salve Regina University, as a valued institutional partner within the City of Newport, has the academic expertise and research capacity to conduct an independent economic impact study; AND

WHEREAS, the proposed study would be conducted at no cost to the City of Newport; AND

WHEREAS, the purpose of the study is to determine the extent to which Easton’s Beach operations impact the economic base of the City of Newport, whether in a positive or negative direction, and to provide objective findings to inform policy and investment decisions; AND

WHEREAS, the study shall examine both quantitative and qualitative impacts generated by consumer activity and beach-related expenditures, including but not limited to:

• Direct revenues generated by beach operations;
• Visitor spending within the City attributable to beach visitation;
• Employment impacts, seasonal and year-round;
• Multiplier effects on local businesses and the hospitality sector;
• Municipal costs associated with beach operations, including infrastructure, public safety, and environmental management;
• Year-round programming, events, and off-season activities;
• Broader community, social, and reputational impacts; AND

WHEREAS, the findings of such study will assist the City Council and Beach Commission in determining appropriate levels of future capital investment, operational funding, facility improvements, shoreline resilience planning, and long-term strategic management; AND

WHEREAS, this initiative advances the goals and policies of the City of Newport Comprehensive Plan, including but not limited to:

• Supporting a resilient and sustainable local economy;
• Promoting responsible stewardship of coastal and natural resources;
• Encouraging data-driven capital planning and infrastructure investment;
• Strengthening partnerships with local educational institutions;
• Enhancing public access to and enjoyment of coastal recreational assets; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT

RESOLVED, by the Newport City Council that the Beach Commission is authorized to enter into a partnership with Salve Regina University for the purpose of conducting a comprehensive economic impact study of Easton’s Beach; AND BE IT FURTHER