Grand Marais Harbor Expansion: Economic Impact, Three Scenarios

Abstract

Community stakeholders in Grand Marais, MN have proposed an expansion to the recreational marina and harbor facilities, especially as used by tourists to Cook County. The University of Minnesota Duluth Labovitz School research bureau was requested to analyze the economics involved, and to estimate the impact of the proposed expansion. Tourism, as measured by the industry sectors hotel/motel, food and beverages, and attraction and amusement attendance, is a large part of the economic base of Cook County and Grand Marais, and impacts to these sectors from changes in marina facilities will be significant to the local and regional economy. The methodology of this impact study includes direct, indirect, and induced measures of employment, value added, and output impacts.