Snow Both a Boon and Drain for Maine’s Winter Economy
Contact: Marilynne Mann, 581-3110; Jonathan Rubin, 581-1528; Stephen Reiling, 581-3237
ORONO — The blizzards than blanket streets, driveways and walks may seem somewhat of an inconvenience for some Mainers, but for many others, the rule is the more snow the better.
University of Maine economics researchers say the cost of cleaning up after storms is balanced by the revenue-enhancing potential of snow. From independent operators plowing driveways and parking lots with pickup trucks to Maine’s winter tourism activities, winter weather creates a powerful and diverse, though not always measured, economy.
Consider, for instance, that Maine’s ski industry generates some $300 million, according to estimates from Greg Sweetzer executive director of Ski Maine, who spoke recently with Marilynne Mann of the University of Maine-based Center for Tourism Research and Outreach. Though economic contribution estimates are not based on current research, Maine’s skiing and snowmobile industries estimate a half-a-billion dollar impact from the two sports.
Mann reports that Andy Shepard, president/chief executive officer of the Maine Winter Sports Center, estimates the Feb. 4-6, E.ON IBU Biathlon World Cup 7 at the Nordic Heritage Center in Presque Isle and Feb. 10-13, World Cup 8 at the 10th Mountain Center in Fort Kent have the potential to bring $10 million to the local Northern Maine economy. That’s after sales of fuel, meals, hotel accommodations, groceries and other purchases by visitors are counted. Mann can be reached by email at mmann110@maine.edu and (207) 581-3110 to discuss her findings.
Snowmobilers bring in an estimated $350 million in a good season, according to the Maine Snowmobile Association. Stephen Reiling, School of Economics professor of resource economics, has studied the economic impact of the snowmobile industry and can be reached at 581-3237 or by email at reiling@maine.edu to discuss how it is influenced.
Then, there are the costs associated with winter snow removal — nearly $100 million a year, plus environmental and safety implications — according to Jonathan Rubin, professor of resource economics with UMaine’s Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center and School of Economics, who conducted a study on the costs of Maine winters a year ago. The study considered the impact of expenses due to the costs of rock salt and deicing chemicals, corrosion of automobiles, steel highway structures and concrete, collisions in snowy, slippery conditions, and environmental damages, including chloride-contamination of wells.
Rubin can be reached at (207) 581-1528 for details and updated estimates.