Below is my proposal that I will be pitching at the August Jefferson County Board of Legislature meeting. I am asking all individuals that are interested in riding and all area clubs to have its members send a letter of support for it to me by e-mail. (It can be one letter with all members signing it or individual letters). The more support I have the better my chances of getting us some trail money. Please share this with as many people and clubs that you possibly can. This is the first time anything like this has been tried and can set a precedent around the state.

Thanks for all your help!

By: Shelly Beyer

Project Summary

This proposal is offered in response to the need to diversify the Jefferson County economic base, specifically through the development of an ATV/multi-use trail system. Currently, Jefferson County's tourism base revolves around summer attractions during a few short months. Our unemployment figures reflect that during off-peak season joblessness is at its all time highs for the year. In creating an ATV/multi-use recreational trail system, which could be utilized by motorized and non-motorized users alike, Jefferson County could expand its tourist base to year round, increasing its tourism dollars, and reducing unemployment.

By using a portion of the bed tax money that Jefferson County receives, and establishing a fund that clubs, groups and organizations could use to help supplement the establishment and maintenance of ATV/multi-use trails, Jefferson County could increase its tourist base at a minimal cost. In addition, the County will be able to reduce unemployment by offering more stable, year-round job opportunities. The following proposal describes my understanding of the tourist base in Jefferson County and my recommendation on how to increase this base.

Scope

This proposal will include

• Project summary
• History
• The need to solve the problem
• My proposed solution
• Benefits of the solution
• Conclusion

Background

Historically, Jefferson County's peak tourist season is during the summer months of June-August. (See figure 1)

By having such a short peak season, Jefferson County is not able to support substantial capital investment in tourist facilities or produce secure jobs. Most of the County’s hotels/motels and restaurants are only open on a seasonal basis. 70% of the transient accommodations, which include 1,090 rooms and 2,500 campsites, are only open during the warm weather months. (See figure 2)

Figure 2: Available Accommodations

Many of the facilities in our County are not able to operate in cold weather months because they are not equipped to do so. In addition, many of the attractions in our area are seasonal. The County’s recreation base is focused on water sports; to include recreational boating and fishing. To better accommodate winter sports and other off-peak activities would require infrastructure development.

Need to Solve Problem

As a resident of Jefferson County, I am worried about the economic future of the County for my children’s sake. Jefferson County’s unemployment rate has been on the rise over the past few years and is much higher than the national average. (See Appendix A) The County has also experienced a decline in its industrial base. Without a strong economy, there will be few jobs for my children when they enter the workforce, thus they may well have to seek employment outside of our area. By creating a year-round tourism season, we will be able to expand one of our strongest economic sectors. In doing so, we will create jobs and an increase the prosperity of the community to live in.

Proposed Solution

There are over 250,000 ATV’s in New York State and 160,000 snowmobiles. In Lewis County the snowmobile tourist industry brings in over $4,000,000 in the four-month period of December-March. In addition, ATV’s are now filling the gaps in the slow and shoulder season for many Lewis County Business. (Appendix B) In a survey that I did in March of 1999 of 200-snowmobile tourists, I found that of those 200 people surveyed 25% (50 people) owned ATV’s, as well as snowmobiles. 75% (37 people) would travel to this area to use their ATV if there was a place to ride. 20% (10 people) had two or more friends with ATV’s that would also travel to this area. (See Appendix C)

Creation of recreational trails Countywide is one of the project recommendations of the Jefferson County Tourism Task Force. Currently, Jefferson County has only 60 miles of snowmobile trail in the southern part of the County and one all terrain vehicle (ATV) trail in the Clayton area. The two local snowmobile clubs and the six local ATV clubs are responsible for the creation and maintenance of these trails. The only money available to them, at this time, to create multi-use trails in Jefferson County is TEA-21 money. (See Appendix D) This money is made available from the Federal government. TEA-21 money is administered through New York State and is distributed in grants to counties that apply for it. It is also available to area clubs if the counties fail to apply for the money. The amount of money varies from year to year. For the fiscal year 2000 the amount of money made available to New York State for distribution was 1.3 million dollars.

Locally, Jefferson County receives 49% of the bed tax money collected throughout the county. For the fiscal year 2000 this share should amount to about $260,000 according to the Jefferson County 2000 Adopted Budget. In an interview with Michael Kaskan, Deputy County Administrator, the money is to be used to promote tourism and conventions within Jefferson County. The majority of it is distributed to the Thousand Island Tourism Council. However, "pursuant to Resolution No. 173 of 1996, this budget appropriates funds in support of various tourism agencies that operate in the County...Funding is also allocated to a Tourism Promotion Grants Program for sponsorship of events, festivals, concerts, attraction etc. Funding levels are determined by the Board based upon the effectiveness of the event in creating tourism from outside of Jefferson County." Jefferson County could utilize a portion of the bed tax money that it receives and establish grant funding that could be specifically allocated to clubs, groups and organizations to help supplement the establishment and maintenance of a multi-use trail system. In addition, the grant money could be used for promotion of events to raise money for the purpose of creating a multi-use trail system. One event is an ATV rodeo, such as those that are held in Lewis County. Last August a weekend long rodeo, that was sponsored by one of the Lewis County clubs, drew thousands of people from all over the state and country and had a profit of about $10,000 in addition to bringing thousands more into the community from visitors spending their money on food, lodging and fuel. Another event is a sponsored trail ride, such as the one held in Philadelphia this past April. That event, which was not widely publicized, drew 200 riders from around the state and brought hundreds of dollars to businesses along the trail (See Appendix E). Snowmobile clubs also holds these same types of events in the winter.

Benefits

By establishing grant money to help establish and maintain a multi-use trail system, Jefferson County will be able to

• Increase its tourist base to year-round at little expense to itself
• Decrease the unemployment rate by creating jobs
• Accomplish one of the goals identified by the Jefferson County Tourism Task Force
• Promote good-will to the area ATV/snowmobile clubs
• Help develop an under-represented sporting market
• Service the growing demand for an ATV trail system in this County (See Appendix F)

Conclusion

My research, which was summarized in the March 23, 2000 edition of the Watertown Daily Times and in an article posted on the ATV Connection website March 23, 2000, shows that multi-use trails can bring money into the community (See Appendix G). Alex Atchie, of the Adirondack River Outfitters, summed it all up in his quote in the Watertown Daily Times article by stating, "I think development of tourism would be excellent. It would bring life back to Watertown and Jefferson County." Lewis County waits for and thrives on snowmobile and ATV riders. Why shouldn’t Jefferson County? By helping develop a multi-use trail system, Jefferson County will be able to reap the benefits for years to come at little expense to themselves. The County will be able to increase its tourist base and decrease its unemployment rate. These two factors will not only help keep people from moving out of the area, but also attract new people and business to the area. I strongly urge Jefferson County to take a portion if its bed tax money and use it to help develop and maintain a multi-use trail system.

Contact:
Shelly Beyer @ crash@imcnet.net to show your support