WATERPARK IMPACT:
$16M ANNUAL TAXES
10-Year Economic Impact
On Local Market: $1 Billion
By JIM KEVLIN • AllOTSEGO.com EXCLUSIVE
ONEONTA – A market study released today by a Cleveland-based tourism consulting firm recommends construction of a “400-room full-service destination indoor waterpark resort” in the Town of Hartwick.
If built, a separate economic-impact assessment estimates the project would have $1 billion financial impact on Otsego County over 10 years, and create more than 800 jobs. It would also generate $16 million a year in local taxes.
The market survey, by Hotel & Leisure Advisors, was commissioned by Otsego Now as part of an effort to expand the local tourism industry beyond the current 100-day season.
“To increase the demand during non-peak times, a destination resort need to offer sufficient amenities and be large enough to attract new demand,” the executive summary concludes.
More reportage will be forthcoming. Meanwhile, you can download:
NO WATER PARK – WE ARE NOT DISNEYWORLD!
No Ann, we are the economic black hole of the state. We’re not the Met, but we have opera. I’m for letting them build anything that is going to bring jobs and revenue to the county. Lets not pretend building a resort would negatively upset the pristine natural beauty of the upper Susquehanna river valley. Worst case the traffic get heaver, if that is even possible considering Dreams Park.
Sorry Tom, I don’t agree with you that we are the “economic black hole” of this state. The very reason we choose to live here stems from our desire live a quiet small town existence. I have managed to support myself and my family for the past forty plus years on the employment that is available in this area. I do not wish to be accosted by masses of unknown and unwanted interlopers. Nor do I want to be forced to deal with the chaos that follows their never ending arrival. Day after day after day for the rest of our lives. I think it is time the Town of Hartwick got its collective head out of the sand and started protecting our right to live the lives we have chosen.
this sounds like a “REAL WET DREAM” thinking of this place going back over 45 years, when we first came here on weekends, and as folk from out of town grew to love the kind of place it is, we decided to move here close to 25 years ago.
This story is not the norm, but an insight of what many people have done in the past, 50 years of liking what they found and deciding to make it home.
Relocating is not easy, jumping into a place with little or know jobs that can sustain life as we would like it, and would like it, this was a real long shot but we took the plunge.
Everything is a struggle, this was a real struggle, but we thought about the end result and worked hard to get it to happen.
We are part of the Lodging Business that helps Ball Teams coming to the area, and after 20+ years now we have just bought our fifth house we will do the Lodging thing with.
So we carved out a “Job” for the family, and worked hard to keep it rolling, we knew this is not for ever, nothing is, but Taxes and Death!!!
We have a back up plan in case things “crap out” or get tuff, so this water park really might not effect us. Now for the other folks that finally got some relief by renting their home or part of to tourist, this could “Rain on their Parade” I really don’t care what they do, we know where we are going and can shift gears anytime, this is who we are….Super man can handle anything you throw at him!!!! And has since the begging of time!!
in my first line “REAL WET DREAM” most likely is what this is, and what would make sense is if local companies and people had figured this out, for the best interest of the area, and the impact it might really have, I think this would never be a thought, as it really don’t make sense.
The impact on the Environment ls unknown, and I don’t think anyone can forecast the Water supply question, the when things get really dry and we all know this happens, with wells and thats what it would have to be, this could slam on the breaks to the 400 room thing it could also suck the place dry for the people already on wells all around it, and it could wind up a BIG ELEPHANT sitting in the room!
In the mean time putting a lot of people that are still struggling to pay their taxes with renting their place to survive, out of business, and helping them loose the little security they thought they had! AND IT MIGHT NOT TAKE MUCH!
And really now, can anyone tell me…who , that lives locally can afford to take their kids to a water park, when they need lots of other things, like food, clothes, bikes, boots, coats, school supplies the list keep going, so the answer is ZERO, if not close to zero.
How will this help the folks that loose their DRAWS, AND HOMES, and once that happens, where do they go once the “WET DREAM” drys up?
We all know its a “REAL WET DREAM” to think this can go on in the God forsaken winters as we know it, so who’s ZOOMING WHO!
At best its a real seasonal thing, that will tighten the screws on most struggling families
and might just be enough to send them packing, in search of a better place to survive!
Now whats the answer, maybe we should get a company in Nome Alaska, or Little Rock Arkansas, or maybe Spokane Washington , to figure this out, WHAT THE HAY,
CANT SEE IT FROM THEIR HOUSE!!!
I AM AVAILABLE TO COUNCIL, DONT BE AFRAID TO ASK….
and with my 12 grade education, I can tell you,
STOP BLOWING SMOKE, WE NEED A REAL ANSWER TO THIS DISGUSTING LOCAL ECONOMY! What we need is not a WET DREAM….
I THINK EVERY ONE IS SICK N TIRED OF BEING SICK N TIRED!
MY BEST ADVISE IS TO MAKE SURE YOU GET OUT AND VOTE, FOR STRANGERS!
END OF STORY