by PR or News Wire

02 November 2011—

A new report shows that public lands near Grand County, Utah play a major economic role in the region, with tourism and recreation businesses accounting for 44 percent of private employment in the county; and that more than one-third of local households have a member that works in a tourism and recreation business related to public lands, while nearly two-thirds of county residents indicate that public lands are “extremely important” to their vocation.

“A significant reason for the county’s economic success stems from the diversity found today within Grand County’s tourism and recreation economy,” said Ben Alexander, the report’s author. “Moving forward, public lands will continue to play an important role for the region, and finding ways to sustain and develop new activities that appeal to a wide mixture of visitors and residents is paramount to the county’s long-term economic health.”

ST. LOUIS -- The placards greeting arriving passengers at Lambert International Airport read "11 in '11" -- a rally cry for what could be an 11th World Series championship for the Cardinals franchise. However, there is something noticeably different about the river town that has participated in so many of these World Series, from the '30s Gashouse Gang to El Birdos of the '60s and Whiteyball of the '80s.

In keeping with the 2011 theme of comebacks, this Missouri city matches the historic comeback of its beloved ballclub with a downtown comeback that belies today's economic hardships. The Cardinals are representing their surroundings as much as the National League.

There are significant ongoing transformations since the last Fall Classic and victory parade happened here five years ago. You see it in the 24 magnificent sculptures in the new two-block City Garden; in the Peabody Opera House that just reopened this month a few blocks from Busch Stadium; in the new lofts and infusion of young professionals. A downtown that was bemoaned by the Washington Post in the late 1990s as among America's most depressed is in the midst of an about-face.

In this era of moneyball, how seriously should you take estimates of the economic impact that the World Series will have on St. Louis?

Whether it's playoffs or an All-Star Game or a political convention or a major golf championship, whenever St. Louis lands a high-profile event, forecasters are always quick to issue their prediction of how the area will grow richer from all the money brought to town by visitors flocking to be part of the big show. And that is separate from the image boost that goes with winning the first game of the World Series.





Beacon file photo

A long way from opening day ...

This week's numbers from the Regional Chamber and Growth Association: a $24.4 million boost for the area from the World Series, adding to a total impact of $52 million from the Cardinals' unexpected run in post-season play.

But what do those estimates mean? Has anyone taken past predictions and compared them against reality? Should decision-makers use the projected impact as a basis for future action?

Ruth Sergenian, chief economist for the RCGA, says the group's forecast is based on solid methodology, but she acknowledges that past predictions haven't been tested, and the numbers are designed as much to measure excitement and prestige as they are to gauge precise effects on the region.

The St. Louis Cardinals National League Division Series is projected to generate an estimated $5.2 million per game for the St. Louis region.

St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association says the economical impact depends on the total number of home games played.

In the event the Cardinals play through the end of the World Series, the local economy would be impacted by over $56 million, similar to that of the 2009 All-Star week.

A new Virginia Department of Aviation Economic Impact Study indicates that the Manassas Regional Airport contributes $234,610,000 to the local economy. 

The independent report reveals that in 2010 the Manassas Regional Airport contributed the following to the economies of Prince William County and the City of Manassas: