Monday, August 04, 2008

Trails Are Good For Business
The Great Allegheny Passage is proving to be good for businesses along the trail. It starts near Pittsburgh, in Mckeesport PA and runs about 150 miles to Cumberland MD. In Cumberland it meets up with the C&O Canal that runs 184.5 miles to Georgetown in Washington DC.
In 2007, Somerset County officials counted 31 new businesses started as a direct result of the Great Allegheny Passage. The Trail Town Program, an arm of the non-profit Progress Fund and supported by government and foundation money, helped start 11 new businesses last year alone. Halfway into 2008, Trail Town has aided eight more, and assisted with another two.

Hikers and bicyclers are good for these small towns.
An economic impact study conducted in 2007 determined the trail is generating $12.5 million in revenue and pouring more than $3 million in wages into trail-side communities.

Three million in wages goes a long way in small town's economy.
Via Tree Hugger.

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