Bitterroot Resort Economic Impace Analysis

The Missoula Area Economic Development Corporation (MAEDC) and the
Missoula Area Chamber of Commerce (MACC) asked ECONorthwest (ECO) to
prepare an independent analysis of the economic impacts of a proposed fourseason
destination ski and golf resort near Missoula, Montana: the Bitterroot
Resort.

The economic analysis proceeds from the assumption that one of two resort
scenarios will be developed in the area: (1) a smaller-scale resort on private land,
or (2) a destination Resort that covers the private land as well as entitlements to
recreational use on adjacent public land. The destination Resort would have more
visitor amenities, including hotel rooms, eating establishments, chairlifts and
rental units.

Thus, instead of measuring the difference in local economic impacts between
the destination Resort and the status quo, this report estimates the difference
between the small-scale resort and the destination Resort. Local economic
impacts of the small-scale and destination Resort are measured at two single
points in time in the future: 10 and 20 years after operation begins. Local impacts
are defined as those economic factors that affect Missoula and Ravalli Counties
and are important to local residents, such as job creation, tourism effects, and
government revenue and infrastructure impacts.

Full Report: http://www.maedc.org/Uploads/Final%20Draft%20Bitterroot%20Resort%20Economic%20Impact%20Study.pdf

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Bitterroot Resort / Study offers two views of Maclay’s proposal

By CHELSI MOY of the Missoulian

Jean Bowman of Missoula expected to leave Thursday’s meeting angry.

She had come to hear economists explain the results of an economic impact study on developer Tom Maclay’s proposed Bitterroot Resort.

Joining her were about 60 interested citizens, local politicians and business owners, who packed a conference room at the Montana Technology Enterprise Center.

But Bowman didn’t go home mad.

Full Story: http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2007/11/09/news/local/news04.txt