Executive Summary - Cook County Economic Analysis

Abstract

This document analyzes various human and economic development indicators and in general is a well-documented and well-written report. However, there is little mention of public or private use of water resources or other natural resources except for tourism. Key points are reproduced below: "Decades' long declines in logging, fishing and mining have made Cook County a one-factory community, and that factory is tourism. Tourism accounts for over 80% of the economy, making Cook County more dependent on tourism, by far, than any other Minnesota county. Until the late 1990s, tourism continued to grow, propelling growth in employment and sales. Due to a lack of resources to invest in relevant public infrastructure or broaden tourism beyond snow-based recreation activities during the seven month low season (mid-October through mid-June), the economy of Cook County has stagnated and become highly seasonal. Lodging visitation, the engine of tourism in Cook County, has not grown since 1999, resulting in parallel stagnation at restaurants, bars, retail shops, recreation facilities and other businesses. The total dollars flowing through the economy fall to 35% to 55% of peak summer sales levels from mid-October through mid-June. This economic weakness affects the entire County. Businesses are forced to take out credit lines to survive. Too few year-round positions with benefits are available, and seasonal unemployment is high. The County has been unable to attract or retain younger workers or families, or provide adequate housing, public transportation or other community infrastructure." This report gives a concise history of settlement in the area. Little or no mention is made of pre-settlement or current Native American use of the county. Focus is on the seasonality of tourism, with policy recommendations for economic development and investment.