This document provides an economic update for the 7 Rivers region by reviewing several indicators: - A survey from 2002 shows that residents' financial positions compared to the previous year were mostly unchanged or better. - Consumer sentiment and expectations indices for the region have typically tracked close to national averages. - Tourism employment has grown steadily in benchmark cities like Salt Lake City and Atlanta in recent decades and remains a important industry for economic development in the region. - Developing amenities like trails and parks can provide downstream benefits to health, home values, and tourism in addition to improving quality of life. - Speakers at the event discussed leveraging the region's natural comparative advantages to attract investment and spur additional economic growth through tourism.

1. Economic Indicators:
An Update for the 7 Rivers Region

2. A Look Back…

4. 05/14/2002 (C) 2002. Taggert J. Brooks
Financial Position
0.0
5.0
10.0
15.0
20.0
25.0
30.0
35.0
40.0
45.0
Better Off Same Worse Off
Financial Position Compared to One Year Ago
1990
2001
2002

5. How will we compare ourselves?

17. 40
50
60
70
80
90
100
110
120
April 2002 February 2005 August
2008***
August
2010***
April 2013*** September
2015***
Consumer Sentiment Index
*** Survey moves to web
7 Rivers
National

18. 40
50
60
70
80
90
100
110
April 2002 February 2005 August
2008***
August
2010***
April 2013*** September
2015***
Consumer Expectations Index
7 Rivers
National

21. Tourism

24. 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)

25. 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)

27. 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)

28. 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)

33. A Metaphor for
Economic Development

36. Benefits
 Improved Amenities and Opportunities
 Increased Home Values (Hedonic value of
trails, parks, water, etc)
 Improved Health (Reduced Obesity)
 Tourism

37. Comparative Advantage in
Economic Development

42. Dr. Dan Plunkett - Assistant Professor in
the Recreation Management Dept. and
Director of the UWL Tourism Research
Institute
A.J. Frels - Executive Director of the La
Crosse County Convention and Visitors
Bureau

43. Thanks.