The economic impact trend numbers are pretty clear, Open Space Recreation on NH Farms grew over 300% from 1996 to 2012.
January 1999, the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests published a study detailing the impact Open Space has on NH’s economy.
Agriculture [see Executive Summary table page 1]: Direct income from farm related products in 1996 were $413 M. Direct and Indirect income attributed to Open Space was $377 M.
By 2012, just 5 short years [2007] after the first Agritourism amendment to RSA 21:34 A (read here), Direct and Indirect income from Open Space Agritourism events grew by almost 300%, to $1.2 BILLION! (read here)
During that period farms direct sale of farm products dropped slightly to $366 M.
Clearly OPEN SPACE RECREATIONAL Activities play and important role in NH’s overall economy. There should be no doubt that the revenue streams from Agritourism are vital to our farmer’s survival.
After all…would you want open space or cluster bunched housing???
Does Henniker want to bring people into Henniker to spend their money and be a player in a $1.2 Billion industry…or not?
By contrast, a Plymouth State study shows that direct and indirect spending by snow mobile activities in 2012 brought in $298 M and independent studies show OHRV-ATV direct and indirect income around $128 M.
We need to wake up and stop destroying ourselves!
“There are things public officials would never do if they thought somebody might call them out on it.”
OHB…keeping it real… making it easier for you to find the facts so you can draw your own conclusions…..
http://www.onlyhennikerbruce.com
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