Taggert J. Brooks, PhDChair and Associate Professor of Economics

University of Wisconsin-La Crosse

The Causes of

Economic Growth

Tourism?

360

410

460

510

560

Jan-90 Jan-92 Jan-94 Jan-96 Jan-98 Jan-00 Jan-02 Jan-04

Thousands of Employees on Nonfarm Payrolls in Salt Lake City, UT (MSA)

550

555

560

565

570

575

580

Jan-00 Jan-02 Jan-04

Thousands of Employees on Nonfarm Payrolls in Salt Lake City, UT (MSA)

1,500

1,600

1,700

1,800

1,900

2,000

2,100

2,200

Jan-90 Jan-92 Jan-94 Jan-96 Jan-98

Thousands of Employees on Nonfarm Payrolls in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta, GA (MSA)

1,800

1,850

1,900

1,950

2,000

2,050

2,100

2,150

2,200

Jan-95 Jan-97 Jan-99

Thousands of Employees on Nonfarm Payrolls in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta, GA (MSA)

A Metaphor for

Economic Development

Benefits

Improved Amenities and Opportunities

Increased Home Values (Hedonic value of

trails, parks, water, etc)

Improved Health (Reduced Obesity)

Tourism

Obesity Costs

Direct Costs:

5.7 % of All Healthcare costs

That’s $154 Billion overall

$75 Billion paid by government.

Indirect Costs: ($66 Billion)

Absenteeism ($6 Billion)

Presenteeism

Disability and Workers Comp

Size of the Industry

Bicycle Sales $6 Billion

Canoes and Kayaks $0.25 Billion

Video Game Sales $19 Billion

Comparative Advantage in

Economic Development

Thanks

Taggert J. Brooks, PhDAssociate Professor of Economics

University of Wisconsin-La Crosse

Questions?