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.
Prepared for Missoula Area Economic Development Corporation & Missoula Area Chamber of Commerce
Written by: Terry Moore, Robert Wyman, Bob Whelan, and Alec Josephson
Full Report: http://www.maedc.org/Uploads/Final%20Draft%20Bitterroot%20Resort%20Economic%20Impact%20Study.pdf