For immediate release
December 2005
Snowmobiling
is recognized by Economic Planners as a major
job generator and an important part of the
"Economic Engine" in rural
America
. Over $27 Billion
Dollars worth of Economic Activity occurs
because of snowmobiling, with the majority of
the money generated by tourism related
activities. Approximately
$1.2 Billion dollars is the result of new
snowmobile sales alone. Slightly
over $1 Billion dollars worth of parts, garments
and accessories were sold in the marketplace
this year, a 15% increase from the previous
year. Sales of snowmobile
registrations, licenses and permits will reach a
new record high in 2006. It
is estimated that over 2,600,000 snowmobile
registrations and/or permits will be sold in
North America
this winter season. The sales
of permits and registrations will generate well
over $120 million dollars, most of which will go
immediately back into the trail system in the
development, improvement and maintenance of the
greatest recreational trail system in the world.
Over 200 thousand miles of groomed and
marked trails traverse North America allowing
snowmobiling families to see
North America
in a unique way not available to any other form
of recreation.
Recent
Economic Impact studies performed by Iowa State
University, Plymouth State University in New
Hampshire, and the University of Minnesota all
show dramatic increases in snowmobile activity
and the economic importance of snowmobile
tourism. It was estimated
that well over 95,000 full-time jobs are
generated by the snowmobile industry alone.
In addition to that, approximately 3,000
licensed dealers, employing 60,000 full time
employees serve as an important tax base to many
rural towns and villages. Using
Standard Economic Impact Analysis, it should
come as no surprise that a substantial segment
of snowmobile spending ends up being collected
by every state and province in taxes.
Approximately 10% of all the dollars
spent by snowmobilers ends up being directly
collected by "the tax man" in the
state or province where snowmobiling occurs.
Simple math shows snowmobilers pay
approximately $2.7 Billion dollars in state and
provincial tax alone during the winter season.
Federal and Local taxes would be added to
that number and one could easily say that
snowmobilers collectively pay over $4 Billion
dollars in taxes each year, enjoying the family
recreation activity of snowmobiling.
While
I am writing this article in Mid-October, I am
watching the snow fall in Northern Minnesota,
Montana
,
North Dakota
,
Alberta
, and beyond, and the weather forecasts are
promising. Snowmobile shows
are reporting high levels of enthusiasm and
record levels of attendance. The
snowmobile manufacturers have been busy
inventing and building new technology
snowmobiles for all of us to enjoy. These
vehicles have proven to be more efficient than
previous models using substantially less fuel
and overall are less expensive to operate and
enjoy. New, clean, quiet,
efficient, durable, reliable snowmobiles are in
the marketplace and the offerings from the
manufacturers point to a positive future.
The responsiveness by the manufacturers
to new government regulations coupled with the
marketplace demands are noticeable and paint a
bright future for an ever changing fun, winter
activity.
Surveys
performed at the beginning of this snowmobile
season, show snowmobilers plan to snowmobile
more this year than in previous years and our
optimism is contagious.
Travel
and recreation trends support the optimism of
the snowmobile community as more families plan
to recreate close to home and more families are
interested in winter recreational activities.
The optimism is prevalent on both sides
of the border since Canadian and
US
cross-border vehicle traffic for the first five
months in 2005 totaled over 5.5 million
automobiles. This is a slight
increase compared to the same timeframe in 2004
and underscores the increased level of close to
home recreation activities.
Snowmobiling
is now entering it's 51st year as the
chosen recreational activity in
North America
for millions of winter-loving families. High
quality resorts are expanding to better serve
snowmobilers. Snowmobile
trails are improving and public awareness of the
technology improvement is leading to a greater
acceptance of snowmobiling and the vehicles we
enjoy.
Snowmobiling
is a great family lifestyle activity allowing
parents and children and grandchildren to
recreate together and enjoy all the magic nature
has to offer.
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