Fergus Falls WMD |
Financial Impact
A recent economic study confirms what conservationists have long claimed: public lands dedicated to wildlife benefit not only wildlife, but also add economic value to local communities. In the Fergus Falls Wetland Management District, non-local visitors to Waterfowl Production Areas directly spent over $3.5 million (2004 dollars) and directly added over 36 jobs to the region. Once local visitors were included, the total impact was over $4 million and 46 jobs in the District. About 44,000 people visit the Fergus Falls District each year. The economic study, by Drew Laughland, Senior Economist for Eastern Research Group Inc., considered the number of visitors to Waterfowl Production Areas in the five counties, the distance they traveled to visit a Waterfowl Production Area, and the amount of money they spent on various goods and services as they enjoyed their visits to western Minnesota.
See the "WPAs Add $3.5 Million to Local Economy" news release for more information, or you may 
view the entire economic analysis online (1.01 MB Adobe pdf file).
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