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Show THE Page 10 OGDEN VALLEY NEWS January Many communities rely on extractive activiies for their economic s pport timber d agricul all of which utilize natural resources. Another industry that can rely on natural resources, but is nonextractive, is tourism and recreation. Visitors purchase goods and service, injecting income into the local economy. Often these visitors come because of natural resources—mountains, snow, desert landscapes, water, a = import as extrac- pur Communities uing {i in th oO strangers to share their streets, public facilities, and commercial business. The net result iisa major community at any given time, people who may care little about its history, culture, and values . . . Rather than permanent new residents, it brings temporary visitors into the community, and this can have a corrosive effect that is not characteristic of all economic development. Tourism also puts a lot of wear and tear on the natural landscapes. Tourism usually isn’t environmentally benign. “Herds of tourists can degrade the very landscape or culture to which they are drawn. When resort towns take off, surrounding open space tends to get swallowed up by condominium developments, “trophy” homes, golf courses, shopping malls, and trailer parks. All of these come at a cost to the natural and cultural environments. Wildlife habitat is fragmented .. The landscape that once drew people to the area gets loved to death.” Mr. Power concludes, “Ifa community adopts a helpless beggars-can’t-be-choosers attitude, and passively accepts any and all tourist proposals, tourism may well so y consume it. But if the community cherishes its amenities and has the confidence to protect them, it can lay the foundation for local entrepreneurs to develop compatible, dispersed tourist business that helps vitalize the local economy. Do communities have other choices that have appeal? Many of my newest and friendliest omy, there are other important facts to consider. As Ogden Valley teeters on the edge of becoming a major recreation and resort area, residents would be wise to consider lessons that have been learned from other communities that have tread a similar path. The tourism industry can bring benefits to a community such as accessible jobs for minimally skilled workers, and part time jobs for those who are pursuing other interests such as raising a family, running a farm, or working in the schools during the winter months. They also provide flexible job positions and hours for high school and university students. The tourism industry also brings dollars in to the local community, stimulating the economy as these dollars are circulated, and tax revenue is generated. mn the other hand, tourism and recreational jobs tend to be low paying and dead-ended. According to the U.S. Travel Data Center, the average tourism industry salary is $12,800 a year. The development of tourism and recreational areas can also result in an increase in the number of vacation homes, which tends to increase property values and the cost of living. These rising property values often drive out existingresidents. This trend can be seen in the Jackson, Wyoming area. The rising demand for property in the area, coupled with low paying jobs led average real income per job to decline by 30 percent. A report commissioned by the Jackson Main Street Association read, “The price paid by the average worker to live in paradise was to see the purchasing power of the earned dollar almost halved in ten years.” Most of the work force moved out of Jackson across Teton Pass and into small towns tiful valley to spend the rest of their lives in. What a compliment to the community! Though many community decision-makers welcome the tax base generated by intense oe there are other factors to consider.1 assetsin the community that bring the a dollar to town, also bring these retirees that collect in communities that offer natural beauty, peace, and that “down home” or rural atmosphere. Low crime ates are also a consideration. Many who come to settle, come to escape the fast pace of cities and urban centers. County leaders and investors interested in the revenue brought to a community by tourists, tend (0 overlook sources of local i income that are gen- cl ated b I munity. Retirement income circulates within the local community with very little of it being exported. “Such ‘footloose’ income sources can be considerable—as much as 30 to 60 percent of a local area’s personal income may be associated with factors like retirement income, investment earnings (dividends, rent, and interest), and government income-support payments. | Whateve attracts or holds income of this sort is a major part of the local economic base . Immigrating retirees do not place disproportionate, expensive demands on local services—they tend not to use schools and do not take up space in prisons When rural counties float on a cushion ofsocial security, pensions, annuities, and asset income, local economic conditions improve. . . Several studies have shown that nonemployment i income flow has at least as large an impact on the local economy as traditional economic-based activity.” So what can county aes _ to ensure that retirees remain attracted to an at E jahon tt an — entitles “Preserving the Soul of a Place” writes, “Therei an important but often ignored relationship etween tourism and the environment. Unfortunately, many tourism officials are more concerned with marketing and promotions than they are with protecting and enhancing the product they are selling. Tourism involves more than marketing. It also involves making destinations more appealing. This means conserving and enhancing a destination’s natural assets. It is, after all, the unique heritage, culture, wildlife, or natural beauty of a community or region that attracts sightseers [and retirees] in the first place. The more a communito conserve its unique resources, whether natural or man-made, the more tourists it will attract. On the other hand, the more a community comes to resemble ier U.S.A.’ the less reason there will be to ] zoning, and urban This is why| I We want to extend our sincere gratitude to our ao customers and friends. “Thank you.” Our warmest thoughts 2 and best wishes for a healthy and successful New Year. a Gage Froerer & Asso (801)745-4221 Eden Office 2405 Highway 158 design standards are so important to communities with tourism resources. When shopping centers and housing developments come in, do they complement the resource or compromise it? “To many cars, boats, tour buses, condominiums, or people can overwhelm a community and harm fragile resources. ourists crave inte of place wherever they ‘An enlightened conninaniy recognizes that the way it looks affects its image and its economic well-being. Protecting scenic views and vistas, planting trees, landscaping parking lots, and controlling signs are all fundamentally important to a city’s economic health . . . Unless the tourism industry thinks it can continue to sell trips to communities clogged with . . . polluted streams, traffic jams, and cluttered commercial strips, it ought to join in an effort to protect the natural, cultural, and scenic resources on which it relies.” GENERAL BRANCH BROKER ON GOLF COURSE Nai) Main floor Master suite, hardwood floors Huge log accents. Supreme views. Custom on cul de sac Deborah 7: Deborah Hegg (801)745-1538 d.hegg@relia.net REALTOR 5 si J Hae | BUILDERS PERSONAL eeu incl. a spiral r suite. 6 BD 4 BA 4150 on 1.20 AC. $365000 Call cont. from page 1 and residents spend money in the Valley, and also the addition of new campground recreational facilities, regional trails, and/or resort facilities. But increased demands can also present | ot as congested ieee increased overcrowding Reservoir, sedition of wildlife and wildlife habitat, and a reduction of the rural quality of life that currently attracts new residents. This irony begs a compelling question: will continued growth undermine the Valley’s unique recreational environment and reduce its magnetic draw as a desirable destination, or could growth be carefully planned and coordinated to preserve some of the oe and cultural amenities of the region? You response to this and other importantconsider. ations will help to shape the future development of Ogden Valley through this master PLAN cont. on page 11 wep A Change of Face Skin Care and Bodyworks Ed Monson monson@relia.net Incredible Custom VICTORIAN HOME on 5 acres. Horse Property. 5 bedrooms, 4 baths, family room, formal dining, 3-car gar. 5,939 sq.ft. $497,500 Deborah 745-1538 PLAN This interest in Ogden Valley presents both opportunities and problems to Weber County and local residents. Future visitors to the Valley could increase to as much as 1,000,000 annual visitors as the Wasatch Front adds a million new residents within the next 20 years and as first and second home buyers move to Ogden Valley—more than doubling, by the year 2020, the —_ number of Valley households (3,000u: Weber County estimates cistes ‘Valley’ s current year-round population at 5,300. The 2020 year-round population is not likely to grow at the same rate as housing units due to the increased trend of second home owners. Second home owners are counted as visitors rather than year-round residents. It should be understood that growth and population projections are based on past growth trends and by county-wide population estimates generated by the State of Utah. Local zoning policies, infrastructure investments, and the shifting demands of Utah’s housing market can provide influences that al increase or decrease the historic growth tre! GENERAL Great Starter Home or Mtn. Getaway. RY GTUR UTIs) sar on one acre. Horse pr ee Unobstructed v Irrigation water. 1,8' sq.ft. Walkout nln, poner yess Issue VI 1, 2005 => Recreation on the Idaho side of the border. Park City has seen the same phenomenon occur. Tourism can also bring in a flood of temporary Siatits ‘ose " “holtelay mood” and disregard for at times, can disrupt and a see alter thesotdal landscape. In the boo “Lost Landscapes and Failed Economies” . Thomas Michael Power we read, “Communities Compiled by Shanna Francis Ogden Valley News Volume XI HOME Elegant Se rom iene sq.ft., 3 car gar. Sue Amer SUR selina 710-3833 me me hresortproperties.com Massage Facials Waxing Pedicures Manicures Call for an appointment 745- 2529 N. Hwy 162@ Valley Hair Co. REALTOR BYN MC acoinan PDE) daniel@c21utah.com Condos $67,900 Condos Deborah Na ES Nordic Nae resort. in a oe easy access. 5 AC Lots of trees.Borders the National Forest. $245,000 Call Deborah 745-1538 ee now available starting at on up. Wolf Logde & Wolf Star ready for to rent or move in. Call or Joan 745-4221 REALTOR ACP TM Keraie 75-0444 Joan4c21@aol.com & ACREAGE LIBERTY &N AC weeded stream &Se views $70,000 s268000 wooded, serene and private 0 AC - Nordic Valley Rd- ees Golf Course & Lots $1, 450,000 5 Acres $245,000 HUNTSVILLE 1.57&1.58AC-River Run-$69,500 each 5.88AC- SnowbasinRd. $293,400 4.92AC- 105N Beaver Creek $79,900 6.3 AC + creek Snowbasin Rd. $225000 EDEN 25.91AC - 2300N 6200E- $390,000 REALTOR =e Wr i 9460 kirkmoorel@aol.com at the Eden Car Wash e with doors. Come use our vacumms, they really suck. Call Kristan Kap for detailing information. 2612 N. Valley Junction Dr. Eden |