As the Trump Administration nears a decision on the future status of national parks and monuments, including Katahdin Woods And Waters here in Maine, Democrats on the Joint Economic Committee of Congress are touting the economic benefits of these sites.
Democrats are distributing fact sheets based on an analysis of public data done by Headwaters Economics, a Montana-based think tank. The report concludes that a national monument designation creates a competitive advantage for surrounding communities, along with faster job growth and higher wages. The report notes that outdoor recreation is already big business in Maine generating $8.2 billion a year in consumer spending, 76,000 direct jobs and more than a half billion dollars in state and local tax revenue. The report suggests that the impact will only grow, as more people become aware of the monument.
