Local Election Choices, Economic Impact of Outdoor Recreation, Cycling
I don’t like to get involved in politics, however, our county board plays a major role in impacting our local economy and small businesses like ours. If you support all outdoor recreation in our county, sound leadership based on facts and individuals with years of experience in our county, vote for Glen Borland for Jefferson County Board of Supervisors District 27 Wards 3 & 4 on April 5th! One key point, you must live in one of those wards :). Don’t tune me out yet just because you don’t live in District 27 Wards 3 & 4. Understanding the economic impact of recreation in Jefferson County is critical as we try to grow the local economy and attract new employers. We can’t always control what companies come and go in our communities, but what we can control is building up and promoting our recreational playground that makes our county and communities great places to live as well as attract visitors from outside our county.
Those visiting from outside of our county shop at our groceries, eat at our restaurants, purchase gas and stay at our hotels. Chapter 2 of the DNR SCORP study (http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks/planning/scorp/pdfs/WI_SCORP_2011_16.pdf) fully explains the popularity of outdoor recreation in Wisconsin and which outdoor activities have the most participation. Note that bicycling is 11th on the list. This study from WISDOT, while older, is still very useful in understanding the economic impact of cycling in Wisconsin (http://wisconsindot.gov/Documents/travel/bike/econ-impact.pdf ). There are similar studies from other states that echo these numbers. Other recreational activities also play a major impact, but I emphasize bicycling since that is our core business.
Over the last 6 years our stores (Fort and Watertown) have been able to make an economic impact thanks to the bicycle facilities in our county that include the Glacial Drumlin and Glacial River Trails, the county cycling network (signed and mapped) as well as nearby mountain bike facilities. We also benefit from our awesome rivers for our canoe / kayak rental business as well as cross-country ski trails for ski rentals in the Winter. These facilities help us to sell our core product of bicycles and accessories to our customer base made up primarily of families, retirees and children. As a result, we have the revenue to purchase from local businesses (groceries, hardware, restaurants), pay local contractors during our store build outs in 2013, pay thousands of dollars in taxes (sales, payroll, property), pay thousands in payroll to our Jefferson County employees (10+ in-season) and donate significantly to local charities.
For our store to continue to grow in its ability to contribute to the local economy, we need sound leadership that understands the impact silent and non-silent sports play in our overall economy. Always look for leadership that is experienced, makes solid fact based decisions and works to do what is in the best interest of small businesses and Jefferson County. If your in District 27 Wards 3 & 4, vote Glen Borland on April 5th. If you aren’t, ask your candidate about outdoor recreation and try to see if they understand the economic impact. Thanks for reading.
John Raub - Owner / President - 2 Rivers Bicycle and Outdoor
