Assessing the economic impact of scenic byways

The Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway Association, together with Lake Country Scenic Byway to our north, have undertaken the task of assessing the economic impact and significance of these two officially designated scenic byways. Grant funds provided through the Carlson Chair, University of Minnesota and Explore Minnesota Tourism are funding the research to do just that.

Assessment of information gathered from the past 10 years during which these two byways have been a part of their local communities has already revealed a few eye-opening statistics.

• PBSB has generated more than $630,000 in local economic activity with an investment of less than $420,000.

• PBSB has helped leverage funding for many physical infrastructure projects, including Veterans Walking Trail, Footbridge and Wetlands Walk; Chiarella Walking Trail; Gateway Gazebo; 14 interpretive panel kiosks; Paul Bunyan footprints at seven locations.

• PBSB project spending has created seven jobs in the area generating more than $270,000 in labor income.

• LCSB has generated more than $475,000 in local economic activity with an investment of $327,000.

• LCSB has leveraged funds to help organize an annual fall color bus tour as well as design and install byway community welcome signs.

• LCSB project spending has created five jobs in the area generating more than $180,000 in labor income.

There's more to come! Beginning this summer, University of Minnesota trained surveyors will gather information from both byway visitors and byway area residents. This information, gathered over the summer and fall, will then be assessed and compiled into a report that will be completed in December. Surveys are now being developed at the University of Minnesota's Tourism Center.

For more information: Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway, www.paulbunyanscenicbyway.org; Lake Country Scenic Byway, www.parkrapids.com/lakecountryscenicbyway; University of MN-Tourism Center, www.tourism.umn.edu; Explore Minnesota Tourism, www.exploreminnesota.com.