As a business owner on Nantucket since 1990, I have witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by our local economy and the unique steps needed to maintain a good quality of life on the island. My company, which I started at the age of 16, has grown over the years and I have gained valuable insights into how our community functions.
One of the most significant challenges we face as a business is finding year-round housing for our employees. While many employees only spend four months on the island, we have found that short-term rentals are essential in meeting their housing needs during the eight months when we are not using them ourselves.
While utilizing short-term rentals during the off-season has not resulted in significant financial gains, it has been crucial in sustaining our operations and preserving local employment. Banning short-term rentals would leave many properties vacant for the majority of the year, putting both our businesses and the Nantucket economy at risk.
It is important to recognize that tourism is a crucial part of our island’s economy, and eliminating short-term rentals would have negative consequences on local businesses and spending. In order to maintain our collective prosperity, it is essential to preserve the option of short-term rentals on Nantucket. The repercussions of not taking action on this issue are too significant to ignore.
Thank you for considering my perspective on this matter.