Just two hours north of New York City by train, the town of Hudson is a beloved destination for urbanites in search of long weekends spent in sophisticated relaxation. Settled by the Mahican people and colonized by the Dutch, Hudson has a long history as a trading post, whaling center, port, and now a leisure destination packed with twee bakeries, farm-to-table restaurants, and upscale galleries.
The rise of Hudson as a weekend and seasonal destination has also resulted in a flourishing market for short-term rental properties available through dozens of agencies, such as Airbnb, HomeAway, vrbo, and others. Hudson’s city leaders have watched the tourist industry bloom and that means positive things for Hudson’s coffers.
But as developers, investors, and second-home buyers have snapped up cheap properties, Hudson residents are feeling the impact of rising rents, displacement, and gentrification.
Prior to partnering with Localgov, Hudson’s finance leaders had been working with another provider to manage its short-term rental registration and fee administration. However, that partner simply couldn’t manage the demands of the new laws. “The online portal they gave us wouldn’t function 75% of the time and when it was working it wasn’t giving us the information that we needed,” complains Matt Parker, Bookkeeper & Assistant Treasurer. “We were on the lookout for a new provider because we don’t have the bandwidth to administer the tax the way it should be.”
This frustration not only impacted Hudson’s municipal employees, but it also presented a threat to this growing industry if Hudson developed a reputation as unfriendly to lodging providers—and business in general. Clunky tools and outmoded procedures take businesses time and effort they simply don’t have, particularly when dealing with multiple properties across several municipalities. When local governments add easy-to-use, consumer-style registration and remittance technology, they’re signaling to the larger entrepreneurial community that this city is open for business.
Because Hudson had experienced such poor service from its previous provider, it really needed a partner with a proven commitment to support. With round-the-clock service offered by a team of local-government experts, Localgov impressed Hudson.
And vice versa, according to Aquanetta White-Olive, Localgov’s customer service lead. “I love speaking with Hudson’s taxpayers,” she says. “They’re busy innkeepers and hosts who know what they want but are always pleasant.” White-Olive and her staff walk these business owners through registration and renewal, a mandatory part of doing business. Localgov’s concierge-style customer care results in satisfied entrepreneurs that have a more favorable opinion about local government. Municipal employees save significant time under this model, as calls go straight to Localgov rather than stretched-thin staff.
