When the North Lake Tahoe Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID) was renewed by the business community for another 10 years, the Management District Plan (MDP) detailing how the approximately $6.5M in funds generated by the assessment are spent was also updated. The intention was to simplify and more clearly communicate how TBID revenues are allocated to benefit the businesses that pay them. To achieve that, new budget categories were established in the MDP for 2026-2036.

Aligned with community priorities, the TBID budget supports economic health and resiliency (47%), community vitality (22%), environmental stewardship (10%), and Zone 1 (lakeside communities) specific services (15%), with 4% held in contingency, and 2% allocated to Placer County for collection administration fees.

Collectively, the projects and programs making tangible progress within these categories, along with the work to advance these efforts by the North Tahoe Community Alliance, the North Tahoe Chamber, and Lake Tahoe Travel, are all funded by the TBID. Our staff is shared to maximize efficiency, with each workstream playing a different role while working toward the same goals.

Here’s how the TBID budget categories are organized:

Economic Health and Resiliency (47%)

Prioritized to receive the largest portion of funding, economic health and resiliency-focused initiatives include infrastructure, programs, and services that support a thriving business environment. It also means leveraging tourism-generated funding to strengthen North Lake Tahoe’s economy, broaden efforts to protect the environment, and support sustainable tourism that benefits our community’s well-being.

Community Vitality (22%)

To drive economic benefit to assessed businesses, efforts focused on community vitality include those designed to improve accessibility and enhance both the experience and North Lake Tahoe’s appeal.

Work within this category includes increased connection and collaboration amongst our community and investment in impactful programs that address our community’s priorities. Examples include efforts to implement workforce development strategies, develop and expand transportation and transit programs, and invest in infrastructure improvements that enhance North Lake Tahoe’s competitive position to attract visitors to assessed businesses.

Environmental Stewardship (10%)

As a community, we’re focused on environmental stewardship and teaching everyone how to help take care of Tahoe. The TBID supports efforts to encourage sustainable visitation by funding initiatives like additional trash collection during peak seasons at popular locations, pedestrian crossing management to reduce traffic congestion, and snow removal on year-round trails. It also supports efforts to proactively educate visitors on sustainable tourism tenets before they arrive and when they’re here.

Zone 1 Specific Services (15%)

Funds raised by the additional 1% levied on Zone 1 (lakeside) lodging businesses are allocated to activities that can include any services detailed in the other service categories (economic health and resiliency, community vitality, and environmental stewardship).

Finally, up to 2% of the annual TBID budget is paid to Placer County for administration of the collection of TBID, and a contingency holds a small percentage of the annual budget in reserve for higher than anticipated program costs, if any.

Want to learn more? Read the Management District Plan here.

By Tony Karwowski, NTCA president & CEO

In March, I had the opportunity to join 11 other “Team Tahoe” representatives on an advocacy mission to Washington, D.C. Our goal: to meet with elected officials to address some of the major issues impacting Tahoe communities and advocate for both funding and legislation that will benefit everyone who lives, works, and spends time here. My role was to represent North Lake Tahoe, our community’s priorities that stand to benefit, and our unique private-public partnership funding mechanisms that help leverage both state and federal dollars.

In total, Team Tahoe met with five senators, 11 House representatives, and three agencies over the course of two days. During this particular trip, we were focused primarily on four topics – the first being Fiscal Year 2027 funding from the Lake Tahoe Restoration Act to support forest health, water quality, combat invasive species, and restore native trout.

Through annual federal appropriations, Tahoe receives funding to support environmental improvement programs in the Basin. We’ve accomplished a lot thanks to the Lake Tahoe Restoration Act, and those funds serve as an anchor for the state, local, and private funding matches that are necessary to fully pay for the environmental improvement programs that have been planned, completed, or are underway.

This year, we requested $35M for projects that include hazardous fuels reduction and forest health, regional water infrastructure upgrades to protect communities, aquatic invasive species prevention and control, watershed restoration and water quality, Lahontan cutthroat trout recovery, and program oversight and accountability.

To address Tahoe’s needs that extend beyond what the Lake Tahoe Restoration Act supports, our second request was for support for the Santini-Burton Act Modernization, which will fund land acquisition and management and unfunded priorities such as sustainable recreation with the intent of addressing human impacts, plus wildfire prevention and more. Modernization of the Act will also allow the Washoe Tribe consistent access to these funds for acquisition and management of cultural lands in the Basin.

Third, we encouraged support for the upcoming Surface Transportation Reauthorization, which is critical to supporting Tahoe’s $5 billion annual economy, and support for the BASICS Act, which provides transportation access to recreation on public lands. If approved, the Surface Transportation Reauthorization would provide an opportunity to support continued progress toward achieving our region’s transportation vision, which includes safely connecting our neighborhoods and sustainably serving our community, while reducing traffic congestion, vehicle miles traveled, and environmental impacts associated with vehicle travel.

Finally, we spoke about Water Resources Development Act priorities, which authorizes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to study, plan and implement water-related projects.

Opportunities like these provide in-person access to decision-makers who can help advance projects, programs, and initiatives that benefit our community. They also give us a chance to highlight and humanize the impact, while demonstrating the progress and strong public/private partnerships that are addressing some of Tahoe’s biggest challenges.

This is how this work is accomplished, and how at the federal level, the voice of our community can be heard. It’s why our role in this type of advocacy work is critically important. We’ll be sure to provide periodic updates on projects around the lake that are supported by these funding sources in upcoming CEO newsletters. 

The North Tahoe Community Alliance is seeking candidates for a newly combined TBID Advisory Committee — a unique opportunity to directly influence how Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID) funds are invested in the community. This unified committee brings together the former TBID Advisory and Zone 1 Committees to streamline governance, reduce duplication, and strengthen how local business assessments support the region. The application period is open from April 2 through May 2.

As a committee member, you will serve as a voice for the business community, helping guide investments that support economic health and resiliency, community vitality, and environmental stewardship. This includes projects and programs such as transportation, workforce housing, stewardship initiatives, community enhancements, and visitor-serving infrastructure. The committee is comprised of voting seats held by TBID-assessed businesses, along with a limited number of non-voting advisory seats to incorporate broader community perspectives. Funding recommendations are made to the NTCA Board of Directors, who retain final authority over TBID expenditures.

This is an opportunity to engage in local governance, make meaningful recommendations, and help shape the future of North Lake Tahoe.

First Tuesday Breakfast Club is a community forum hosted by the North Tahoe Community Alliance. It presents an opportunity to learn about timely community news, project information, and relevant updates from businesses and influencers in North Lake Tahoe.

Breakfast Club takes place on the first Tuesday of each month from 7:00-8:30 AM.

May First Tuesday Breakfast Club:

May 5, 2026
Wildfire Preparedness

Agenda:

• Introduction to Breakfast Club and round robin introductions
• Feature presentations
• Q&A
• Supervisor Gustafson, Placer County
• Agency Updates
• Community Stump Speeches

Click the link below to join at 7 am on Tuesday, May 5.

The North Tahoe Community Alliance, the North Tahoe Chamber, and Lake Tahoe Travel exist to support and strengthen the North Lake Tahoe community through a unique collaborative ecosystem where the three pathways work together under a single strategic plan while maintaining distinct areas of focus.

How It Works

While each pathway has its own work plan and specialized services, they share staff, resources, and strategic alignment to maximize efficiency and impact. 

• NTCA manages and reinvests Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID) funds and partners with Placer County to recommend Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) investments through the TOT-TBID Dollars At Work grant cycle. These funds support community projects including trails, transportation, workforce housing, community enhancement, and environmental stewardship and tourism impact mitigation. This program is a key component of NTCA’s community vitality strategic initiative.
• The North Tahoe Chamber is funded entirely by TBID dollars and focuses on supporting local businesses through advocacy, events, and business-driven programming that strengthens workforce development. The Chamber also administers event funding and supports downtown revitalization efforts — all aligned with NTCA’s Economic Health & Resiliency strategic initiative.
• Lake Tahoe Travel is fully funded by TBID dollars and leads destination marketing efforts that promote responsible, sustainable tourism. By attracting visitors who align with community values and stewardship principles, this work supports local businesses and contributes to North Tahoe’s overall economic health and community vitality.
• Together, NTCA, the Chamber, and Lake Tahoe Travel intersect across strategic priorities — from Destination Stewardship to Organizational Excellence — creating a coordinated ecosystem that maximizes community impact.

Why This Matters

This collaborative approach allows a singular organizational structure—one staff team, one overarching strategy—to deliver a wide range of services to the community. Each pathway focuses on what it does best, while shared planning, communication, and resource coordination reduce duplication and improve efficiency.

Understanding the Impact

The ecosystem diagram highlights each pathway’s areas of focus and shows how collaborative efforts drive community impact.

Through this coordinated model, North Tahoe can align funding, programming, and promotion to support residents, businesses, and a vibrant year-round economy—demonstrating the power of collaboration in action.

Tourism-generated funding is supporting initiatives aimed at improving the experience for North Lake Tahoe residents, businesses and visitors

As part of the TOT-TBID Dollars at Work program’s Annual Grant Cycle, the NTCA Board of Directors recently approved and recommended a total of over $6 million in tourism-generated funding for 12 projects and programs focused on enhancing community vitality and improving quality of life for residents, businesses, and visitors.

“The response to the TOT-TBID Dollars at Work Annual Grant Cycle was strong this year, with 39 projects aligned with community-identified funding categories submitted for consideration,” said Tony Karwowski, NTCA president and CEO. “The projects that were approved and recommended for funding were selected by a broad coalition of local residents who volunteer their time on committees convened by the NTCA because they have the potential to have a positive impact on the day-to-day experience for everyone in North Lake Tahoe.”

At the recommendation of the TBID Advisory and Zone 1 committees, the NTCA Board of Directors approved up to $688,935 in TBID funds. Through the TBID, both day and overnight visitors contribute to North Lake Tahoe’s vitality by spending at activity providers, restaurants, and retailers. TBID funds must be spent on programs and activities that directly benefit the businesses paying the assessment.

The five projects to receive TBID funding support include initiatives that contribute to community vitality, economic health and environmental stewardship:

• Workforce-Strengthening Childcare & Youth Development Programs (Boys & Girls Club of North Lake Tahoe) – $250,000
• Eastern Placer Employer Housing Concierge & One-Stop Housing Resource Hub (Truckee-Tahoe Workforce Housing Agency) – $95,060
• Tahoe Wood: Strategy Development for Local Wood-Based Business Opportunities (Tahoe Prosperity Center) – $62,685
• The 72-Mile Deep Clean of Lake Tahoe (Clean Up The Lake) – $110,787
• Lake Tahoe Conditions and Water Quality (UC Davis TERC) – $150,403

The Placer County Board of Supervisors recently approved over $5M in TOT funding (generated by overnight visitors who stay in local hotels or short-term rentals) for seven projects recommended by the TOT Advisory Committee and the NTCA Board of Directors through the NTCA’s TOT-TBID Dollars at Work Annual Grant Cycle:

• Sierra Community House’s Workforce Housing Advocacy and Direct Assistance Program (Sierra Community House) – $350,000
• Eastern Placer County Launchpad Program (Placer County) – $3,000,000
• Tahoe City Events Park and Ride Pilot (TNT-TMA) – $92,840
• Scotty Lapp Memorial Skatepark in Tahoe City (Scotty Lapp Foundation) – $400,000
• Public Art Installation in the North Tahoe Regional Park (NTPUD) – $65,000
• TCPUD Dianne Feinstein West Shore Tahoe Trail Reconstruction Project, Segment 1 (TCPUD) – $1,500,000
• Sawtooth Trail Expansion Project (High Fives Foundation) – $43,975

In total, the TOT-TBID Dollars at Work program has reinvested over $40 million in tourism-generated funding in support of 58 projects and programs that support the community and a vibrant, year-round economy in North Lake Tahoe.

NTCA President and CEO Tony Karwowski’s op-ed was recently featured in Moonshine Ink.

As we turn the page on another year, it’s a natural moment to pause, reflect, and take stock of how far we’ve come—and where we’re headed.

For me, this year-end reflection carries particular meaning for our community. It marks five years since the launch of the North Lake Tahoe Tourism Business Improvement District (NLT-TBID), an initiative that didn’t just change how we fund destination stewardship efforts in our region—it fundamentally reshaped what has become the North Tahoe Community Alliance (NTCA) and how we serve our community.

When the TBID was formed, NTCA was essentially built from the ground up. We transitioned from a traditional destination marketing organization into a modern destination stewardship organization—one focused not just on marketing, but on reinvesting tourism-generated funding locally to improve quality of life and address the real challenges that face our unique community, while continuing to ensure North Lake Tahoe remains a desirable place to live, work, and visit.

That transformation was not simple, and it was not fast. It required the development of new governance and community-focused priorities, and new systems to put tourism-generated funding to work. It also included the creation of new committees that allow for local, community-led decision-making, establishing new working relationships with partners like Placer County, and a clear commitment to transparency and measurable outcomes.

Looking back over the last five years, I’m incredibly proud of what that effort has delivered.

Because of the TBID, local businesses chose to invest in our community—and those dollars, to the tune of over $40 million, have gone directly back into North Lake Tahoe. From transportation solutions and workforce housing investments, to trail improvements, litter management and other environmental stewardship, visitor education, and community vitality projects, TBID funds have helped address long-standing issues while laying the groundwork for a more resilient future.

Perhaps just as important as the projects themselves has been the shift in mindset. The TBID allowed North Lake Tahoe to move beyond simply promoting visitation and toward actively managing it—reinvesting in infrastructure that reduces peak-day congestion, encourages responsible recreation, encourages shoulder-season travel, and supports our community year-round.

That evolution has been guided by collaboration. NTCA does not do this work alone. Our success is tied to strong partnerships with local businesses, residents, agencies, nonprofits, and regional leaders. Together, we’ve embraced the idea that destination stewardship is shared work—and that long-term success depends on balancing economic vitality with environmental health and community wellbeing.

This year, the support for renewing the NLT-TBID reinforced just how strongly our community believes in this approach. In total, 70.6% of revenue-weighted petition signatures were in favor, representing 98 businesses in the assessment area.

Renewal support is not just a vote of confidence in the NTCA—it’s an endorsement of local control, accountability, and reinvestment. It says that our business community sees value in working collectively and recognizes the benefits of coordinated solutions, and that North Lake Tahoe is committed to shaping its own future.  

As we look ahead, that support gives us both momentum and responsibility.

The next chapter of the TBID is about building on a strong foundation. It’s about continuing to invest in transportation and workforce housing solutions, and deepening our commitment to environmental stewardship, while supporting local businesses and protecting the very qualities that make North Lake Tahoe special. It’s also about expanding our collaboration with local, state, and national partners by advocating for the changes and support necessary to bring meaningful projects and programs to life.

Most importantly, it’s about staying responsive—to changing conditions, emerging challenges, and the voices of our community.

The past five years have shown what’s possible when we come together with a shared vision and the tools to act on it. As we step into a new year, I’m optimistic, energized, and deeply grateful—for the trust placed in the NTCA team, for the partnership of our community, and for the opportunity to keep doing this work on behalf of North Lake Tahoe.

— Tony Karwowski, president and CEO, North Tahoe Community Alliance

The North Tahoe Community Alliance is hiring for the Kings Beach District Manager and Business Development Manager positions, who will directly support and advance the work of the North Tahoe Chamber and our local business community. These positions will play a key role in strengthening economic vitality, advocacy, and community vibrancy across North Lake Tahoe. If you’re passionate about collaboration and making a meaningful impact, we encourage you to explore these opportunities and share them with your networks.

By Tony Karwowski

Stewardship isn’t an abstract idea in Lake Tahoe—it’s a vital part of caring for this incredible place. Every day, those of us who live, work, and build businesses here feel the responsibilities and pressures that come with caring for a world-renowned destination we call home. 

We share the same roads, trails, beaches, waters, and forests with visitors—many of whom also have a deep appreciation of this place. Ultimately, I believe we all want the same thing: to ensure Lake Tahoe remains healthy, thriving, and accessible for generations to come. That’s why I am honored to step into the role of co-chair of the Lake Tahoe Destination Stewardship Council.

This council was created because the region required better collaboration between jurisdictions, agencies, the business sector, and other community organizations. It reflects a simple truth: the future of Tahoe depends on active collaboration across the boundaries we have ourselves created. We need a unified vision backed by shared accountability, aligned outcomes, and the collective will to take action.

The Destination Stewardship Plan we adopted together offers exactly that. It lays out a roadmap for managing Tahoe as a place to live as much as a place to visit. It recognizes that our environment and our economy do not exist in separate lanes, and that community wellbeing is central to everything we hope to accomplish.

One of the initiatives the over 30 partners of the Destination Stewardship Council are actively collaborating on to help encourage stewardship of Tahoe is the “Destination Champion” program. Developed as an online training program for community members and local professionals and front line employees, when it launches, it will provide effective strategies for teaching visitors about our region’s unique culture and how to encourage people to help care for and protect what makes Tahoe and Truckee special.

It is through our collaborative efforts that progress is being made throughout the region. Whether individual, or sometimes joint organizational initiatives, those aligned with Destination Stewardship Plan goals are advancing our collective efforts and making true the popular proverb: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”

The opportunities ahead for Tahoe—expanding environmental stewardship, enhancing shared transportation options, workforce retention—do not recognize county lines or organizational boundaries. They require a coordinated response. The council brings together public agencies, nonprofits, businesses, tribal partners, and local representatives from around the basin to set priorities and move from discussion to action.

As co-chair alongside Daniel Cressy from the USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, and Nettie Pardue the Destination Stewardship Council’s Managing Director, our focus will continue to be deepening our alignment across the region and ensuring that we are all working in the same direction, toward the same goals.

I also want to thank Carol Chaplin, CEO of the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority, for leading the way as one of the first co-chairs of the Council. Together with Daniel Cressy, the Executive Council and Council members, her leadership has set a path forward for us to build upon in the future.  

I am continually inspired by the leadership and commitment around the Council table—these are people and organizations who care deeply about this place and their role in helping to take care of it. Lake Tahoe is extraordinary, and this council established a framework, the partnerships, and the shared resolve we need to move forward together.

– Tony Karwowski is president and CEO of the North Tahoe Community Alliance

By Adam Wilson, North Tahoe Community Alliance chief operating officer

Over the past year, the North Tahoe Community Alliance (NTCA) and the North Tahoe Chamber partnered with Downtown Strategies to take a focused look at how we can strengthen the town centers of Kings Beach and Tahoe City through practical actions that build momentum and support long-term success. 

Together, we’ve developed a two-year strategic action plan designed to accelerate existing revitalization efforts, align partners around a shared vision, and identify near-term projects that can make a meaningful difference quickly. This work is rooted in local input, market realities, and the belief that small, well-executed wins lead to lasting change. 

Built with Community, Designed for Action

The revitalization study was shaped through an in-market discovery process that included stakeholder workshops with business and property owners, residents, and community leaders. Their insights helped identify strategies that are asset-based, market-driven, and ready to implement. 

Four Focus Areas Guiding the Work

The action plan is organized around four interconnected focus areas:

• Policy & Administration: Creating clearer, more efficient pathways for high-value businesses and development, including overlay districts tailored to each community and a regional “Get to Yes” approach to reduce barriers and speed up decision-making.
  
• Design: Enhancing vibrancy through low-cost, high-impact improvements like lighting, public art, banners, and visual activations that strengthen a sense of place and encourage people to spend more time in our downtown areas.
  
• Tourism & Promotion: Focusing on experiences that create better connections—not more people—by intentionally connecting events, businesses, and seasonal offerings to support a balanced, year-round economy.
  
• Economic Vitality: Capturing more local spending through strategies like a semi-permanent retail village in Kings Beach, beach-focused service expansions, and new partnerships that support entrepreneurs and small businesses.

From Strategy to Implementation

Revitalization only works if it moves from planning to action. That’s why implementation is structured around a North Shore Core Team, along with dedicated action teams for Kings Beach and Tahoe City, to keep projects moving forward and coordinated across partners. 

The goal is straightforward: create early wins, build confidence, and maintain momentum toward larger, long-term improvements that benefit the entire community. Things like seasonal workforce sharing, cross-promotional packages, and collaborative purchasing.

What This Means for Residents and Businesses

For residents, this work is about more vibrant, welcoming town centers that reflect local character, support year-round livability, and improve everyday experiences—not just during peak visitor seasons.

For businesses, the revitalization plan focuses on:

• Lowering barriers to entry and expansion
• Creating more foot traffic and longer stays
• Supporting collaboration instead of competition
• Keeping more visitor dollars circulating locally

Most importantly, this is not a top-down effort. Success depends on continued community involvement, shared ownership, and a willingness to test ideas, learn, and adapt. Community members are encouraged to join an Action Team, promote positive progress, and support initiatives that create a spark and help build momentum in our community. An action team interest meeting will be held on January 15 at 1:30 p.m. at the North Tahoe Event Center in Kings Beach. Participants can also join via Zoom, using the information provided below.

Meeting ID: 840 7588 2587
Passcode: 927945

Revitalization doesn’t happen all at once—but when short-term actions create a spark, momentum builds that can lead to broader change. That’s the path we’re on together in North Lake Tahoe.