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ISU Releases Economic Impact Study Findings;
ISSA Describes Results as 'Staggering'
By Cameron Hanson
Editor, Iowa Snowmobiler
In late January, the Economics Department at Iowa State University
released the results of its economic impact study on snowmobiling in
Iowa, showing residents here spend an estimated $56.3 million each year
on snowmobiling equipment and activities.
According to the study’s findings, in-state snowmobiling expenditures of
$39.8 million generate an estimated $25.6 million in additional transactions
within the Iowa economy, resulting in an estimated total of $65.4 million
in transactions or sales, $25.4 million in personal income and 889 jobs.
Commissioned by the ISSA, the study was conducted by Dan Otto and
Mark Imerman, economics professor and research economist respectively
at ISU. The results were staggering, according to Dave Carmichael, co-
chair of the ISSA’s Emergency Funding/Legislation Committee (EFC).
“These are huge numbers. They are much bigger than I had anticipated
they would be by probably double,” he said.
Using a formula proven by similar studies, Otto and Imerman based their
findings on the 900 surveys they mailed to random snowmobilers last fall.
In addition to quantifying snowmobiling’s impact economically, their
responses helped illustrate the overall health of the sport in Iowa.
See the March issue of the Iowa Snowmobiler for further reading.
ISSA Describes Results as 'Staggering'
By Cameron Hanson
Editor, Iowa Snowmobiler
In late January, the Economics Department at Iowa State University
released the results of its economic impact study on snowmobiling in
Iowa, showing residents here spend an estimated $56.3 million each year
on snowmobiling equipment and activities.
According to the study’s findings, in-state snowmobiling expenditures of
$39.8 million generate an estimated $25.6 million in additional transactions
within the Iowa economy, resulting in an estimated total of $65.4 million
in transactions or sales, $25.4 million in personal income and 889 jobs.
Commissioned by the ISSA, the study was conducted by Dan Otto and
Mark Imerman, economics professor and research economist respectively
at ISU. The results were staggering, according to Dave Carmichael, co-
chair of the ISSA’s Emergency Funding/Legislation Committee (EFC).
“These are huge numbers. They are much bigger than I had anticipated
they would be by probably double,” he said.
Using a formula proven by similar studies, Otto and Imerman based their
findings on the 900 surveys they mailed to random snowmobilers last fall.
In addition to quantifying snowmobiling’s impact economically, their
responses helped illustrate the overall health of the sport in Iowa.
See the March issue of the Iowa Snowmobiler for further reading.