The governor announced 24 businesses have been selected by the Vermont Outdoor Recreation Economic Collaborative to receive grants in 11 of the state’s 14 counties to help bolster the outdoor economy as tourist season is just around the corner.
In its Feb. 6 legislative update, Campaign for Vermont offers an in-depth look at what lawmakers and the governor are doing for fiscal responsibility, workforce and economic development, housing, good government and education.
Vermont’s economic model has become a tourist trap — not for the visitors, but for the residents of this once-agrarian state — when the rich tourists stop visiting. Supporting small farms is not just good for community, it’s good for business, and it’s good for survival.
The Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing is asking for an additional $1M for tourism marketing. We should give it to them. Our annual $3M marketing budget supports this industry that generates $373M in tax revenue.
New Hampshire hospitality and tourism businesses are counting on an efficient rollout of COVID-19 vaccinations to help draw the numbers of patrons they enjoyed before the pandemic.
New Hampshire’s government expenditures and government jobs in outdoor recreation in 2019 stood at $71 million and 900 employees based on 2012 North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) estimates.
Vermont’s ski industry faces an unprecedented test this winter as COVID-focused government seems determined to impose burdensome restrictions on resort operators.
While the travel restrictions are likely restricting the supply of travelers into Vermont, it has not, so far, made Vermont uncompetitive with our New England neighbors.
The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department recently certified a record fish entry for a 19.36-pound lake trout caught in Lake Champlain in August. Department officials say this demonstrates the positive impact long-term sea lamprey control efforts are having on the lake’s quality fishing opportunities.
Ever since the donation some 45 years ago, no official designation for the site’s location existed until now. The park’s beauty is so special that the federal government declared it a National Natural Area.
For those hard-to-shop-for folks on your holiday gift list this year, Vermont State Parks has created something that is sure to get them out of the house and into the woods where they can channel their inner-Thoreau.
The Office of Outdoor Recreation Industry Development included in the new state budget means New Hampshire joins more than a dozen states with a division to specifically focus on that trade.