Lewis County, partners to gauge economic impact of snowmobiling

LOWVILLE, N.Y. — Lewis County Economic Development is working with Jefferson Community College (JCC) and Camoin Associates Economic Development of Saratoga Springs to conduct an economic-impact study of snowmobiling in Lewis County and the Tug Hill region.

Jefferson County Economic Development, the Lewis County Chamber of Commerce, Oneida County Tourism, Oswego County Community Development, Tourism and Planning, Operation Oswego County, the Tug Hill Commission, and several area snowmobile clubs are also involved.

JCC students are visiting “high-traffic” locations throughout the four-county area interviewing snowmobilers on a “variety of aspects of the popular winter sport,” Lewis County Economic Development said.

Snowmobilers can also take a survey at www.surveymonkey.com/r/LCTHRSNOW2021.

The survey will conclude April 1. Jenna Kraeger, economic-development specialist with Lewis County Economic Development, tells CNYBJ.

People who complete the survey will be entered into a drawing to win a $250 cash grand prize, “along with several local Tug Hill door prizes including gift certificates and apparel,” per the release.

The results of the economic-impact analysis are expected to be complete by this summer.

Study purpose

Lewis County Economic Development says the Tug Hill region is known for snow, as “national weather data shows it is the snowiest place east of the Rocky Mountains.”

The snow and “extensive trail network, enabled by landowners and local governments who willingly allow trails on property with no compensation, has created a strong winter economy reliant on snowmobiling.”

By “quantifying the significance” of snowmobiling activity, the partners will be “better able” to communicate the impacts of the sport on the local economy to residents, landowners, local governments, and New York State.

Long term, the group hopes to help make Tug Hill “an even more appealing destination to help bolster local spending and growth of existing and new businesses.”