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LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS |
Return on Investment
Places with a reputation for providing park and recreation services, and a high quality of life, attract businesses and have healthier economies.
- In 2004, Idaho tourists spent $2.97 billion on lodging, food and tourism related activities.
- One of Idaho's top five industries provides nearly 50,000 jobs and accounts for 5% of Idaho's gross state product.
- Corporate CEO's say quality of life is the third most important factor in locating a new business.
- A 2002 survey by the National Association of realtors revealed that 50% of the voters would be willing to pay 10% more for a house located near a park.
Tourism
Recreation and park services are a catalyst for tourism, a growing sector of the Idaho economy.
Tourism remains one of Idaho’s top five industries, providing nearly 50,000 jobs and accounting for 5 percent of Idaho’s gross state product
In 2004, Idaho tourists spent $2.97 billion on lodging, food and tourism related activities.
Despite record gas prices, Idaho’s total lodging revenues for the summer of 2005 were just under $124 million, up from $112.2 million in 2004.
Attracting and Retaining Business
Livability is an important consideration to businesses when choosing where to locate. Places with a reputation for providing amenities and a high quality of life attract businesses and have healthier economies”. Cindy Hagen, Economic Development Planner
- The Joint Economic Committee of the U.S. Congress reports that a city’s quality of life is very important when it comes to attracting new business. Parks and recreation services are among the important amenities considered.
- Corporate CEO’s say that quality of life is the third most important factor in locating a new business.
- A survey of 1,200 high technology workers in 1998 found that quality of life in a community increases the attractiveness of a job by 33 %.
Retirees
Affluent retirees are attracted to and retained by communities that offer quality parks and recreation amenities.
- A 1994 study ask retirees to review 14 features and indicate their importance in the decision to move. The first three in rank order were scenic beauty, recreational opportunities and mild climate.
- Retirees bring expendable income into communities. If 100 retired households come to a community in a year, each with retirement income of $40,000, their impact is similar to that of a new business spending $4 million annually in the community.
- Retirees increase the tax base and are “positive” taxpayers – using fewer services than they pay through taxes.
Homebuyers
Homebuyers are attracted to purchase homes located near parks and open space. U.S real estate brokers and homebuilders are advocating parks as one of the top residential selling points. The desire to live near parks also translates into real dollars.
- A 2002 survey by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) revealed that 57% of voters would choose a home close to parks and open space over one that was not.
- In addition, the NAR survey found the 50% of the voters would be willing to pay 10% more for a house located near a park.
- The National Association of Home Builders found that 65% of home shoppers felt that parks would seriously influence them to move to a community.
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