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Economic and Supporting Statistics for the Civil War Rail Trail

Tourism supports jobs for Marylanders and generates state and local taxes.  Each household would need to pay an additional $1,000 in taxes every year to replace the tax revenue generated,

 

Marketing programs and associated metrics have shown that for every $1.00 spent on the aggressive promotion of Maryland as a (touring) destination, $31 is returned to the state’s economy.

Washington County

Local News

  • April 2020 survey: 300 County residents want more walking and hiking trails March 18, 2020: 4.3 million tourists and outdoor enthusiasts use trails near Hancock

  • Town of Hancock benefits economically from WMRT and others

  • Summer 2020:  Appalachian Trail over-crowded due to Covid 

Trail

Expansion 

  • Hagerstown Cultural Trail – being expanded from original to city center

  •  

  • Western Maryland Rail Trail – original completed in 2005; expand three times

Supporters and

Opposition 

July 2012: 800 county residents want CWRT; 300 non-county, state residents want it; versus 80 who oppose CWRT.  Of the 80 who oppose, about 20 of them have concerns that can be satisfied.  Leaves about 60 who oppose, and many of their concerns can be satisfied or mitigated.  Commissioners support the minority in opposition and quit study.

Maryland Outdoor Rec Report 2019

  • Outdoor recreation is an economic engine in Maryland:

  • 2016: $14 billion on total sales

  • 2016: sustained 109,000 jobs

  • $4.4 billion in wages and salaries

  • $951 million in state and local tax revenue

  • For every $1.00 the state invests in parks, $29.27 is generated in economic activity

Related Trail & Park Visitor Statistics:

  • Antietam Battlefield, 370,832  - 2013 

  • C&O Canal Towpath, 1,500,000 visitors 

  • C&O Canal Towpath, 1 5,000,000 visitors 

  • Williamsport Visitor Center, C&O Canal 433,000 visitors (Washington County)

  • Western Maryland Rail Trail, 150,000 visitors in 2015 

  • Torrey C. Brown Rail Trail, 20 miles, 467,000 - 2015

  • Great Allegheny Passage, 989,455 visitors in 2019 

GAP Trail Transformed

Economy of the Regiona

  • 150 miles from Cumberland to Pittsburgh

  • Valued recreation and transportation asset

  • $80 million total cost of completing 150 mile trail

  • $40 million estimated total impact in year 2012

  • 989,000 trail visits in 2019

Maryland State Agencies Advocate for more Trails

  • Dept. of Natural Resources – Hiking, Biking, African-American Exhibits & Access,

  • Dept. of Transportation – Alternative Transportation Means, Recreation 

  • Dept. of Commerce – Tourism and Job Creation

  • Maryland Department of Planning – Historical and Cultural

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