WEST MICHIGAN (GRBJ) - A new study shows water-related tourism and industry creates an estimated annual economic impact of $666 million and supports nearly 6,300 jobs in West Michigan.
Muskegon and Grand Haven were the two area cities analyzed in the study showing Michigan’s ports and harbors in 2017 had an impact of approximately $19.7 billion with about 151,000 jobs supported. An estimated $15.4 billion of this total was derived from water-related tourism and recreation.
Facilitated by the Michigan Port Collaborative, which is a nonprofit representing the ports of Michigan and their communities, the finding is four times higher than any similar study in the state previously. That’s because beyond assessing direct spending, this study also analyzed ripple effects.
“We had a hunch the economic value of our ports and harbors was far greater than previously reported,” said Felicia Fairchild, president of the Michigan Port Collaborative.
Statewide, the study found water-related industries created $7.7 billion in labor income; the economic impacts of water-based tourism and recreation are nearly four times that of commercial industry; the state and communities collected $1 billion from water-based tourism; and the federal government collected about $1.3 billion.
The group said it plans to use the information gathered to promote its interests going forward.
“We will utilize the results to educate our legislators and state officials regarding the monetary value of our ports and harbors going forward,” said Marci Cisneros, treasurer of the MPC and executive director of the Grand Haven Area Convention Visitors Bureau.
A survey distributed between May and July 2018 via social media and email received responses describing 5,088 visits in the past two years. The survey asked respondents questions regarding their spending and water-based recreational habits.
The study was commissioned in November 2017 and conducted by MPC board members Vincent Magnini and John Crotts of the Institute for Service Research in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and Bill Boik, a consultant formerly of the Michigan DNR. Expert review of this study was conducted by Muzaffer Uysal of the University of Massachusetts.
The study was funded through a grant from the Michigan State Waterways Commission and matching funds from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority and the participating localities: Alpena, Cedarville, Detroit, Douglas, East Tawas, Elk Rapids, Grand Haven, Manistee, Marquette, Muskegon, Onekama, Rogers City, Saugatuck, Sault Ste. Marie, South Haven, St. Joseph and Traverse City.
For the whole story, pick up a copy of the Grand Rapids Business Journal, or find the story on their website.
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