The focus of economic development locally has traditionally centered largely on “trickle down” tactics, that is, attempts to lasso big industries, often with incentives, and saying a prayer that they stay long enough to provide a few good jobs to local residents.
Unfortunately, this is a failed method. It centers industry and employers, not real people, and neglects the fact that what any community is trying to do is be a place where living, breathing people want to live. It doesn’t do much good to land major employers if nobody wants to live in your community. Thankfully, it’s a tactic whose time might finally have passed.
Visitors spend an average of $342.33 per trip, producing a direct economic impact of $5,789,031 for the county.
2022 Chattanooga Mountain Biking Impact Report
A New Way Forward for Rural America
If we shift that focus away from this singular tactic of luring big industry, and instead toward building a community that real people want to live in and visit, the evidence that community-wide, interconnected trail systems are an economic boon and a tourism driver is vast and only growing. Better yet, it’s an economic engine that won’t ever leave. Communities across the country have purpose built trail networks exactly as we envision, to astounding results. Below are just a few of the many resources showing this to be true.
Trail Impact Studies
The studies included below are great examples of similar Midwestern cities building the exact trail infrastructure for which VCTA advocates. If that’s not enough, check out even more economic impact studies. Hint: It’s all good.