Monday, February 13, 2012

L.M.F.A.O.

No, not the pop group of the same name, but our reaction this morning to this from a COAST Board member:


Just for the record....I know memories are short....

THEN:

According to a study released by the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber,  the Purple People Bridge Climb in its first year will generate an economic  impact of $32.1 million annually, based on the projection of 80,000 bridge climbers  a year. The study estimates bridge climbers will spend nearly $6.6 million a year on admissions and souvenirs, and an additional $5.5 million at local  restaurants, hotels and retailers, generating 350 new jobs for local  workers and annual earnings entering households of $8.1 million.

NOW:
About the Cincinnati Streetcar:
The streetcar will increase mobility, decrease gasoline consumption and create economic development and jobs in the City of Cincinnati.
- Economic analyses estimate a positive impact to the city of $1.4 billion
- The project has an estimated benefit to cost ratio of 3:1
- The development in the city will create an initial 1,800 jobs, with up to 9,000 over the long term
- Over 3,700 trips a day will be taken on the streetcars

Studies have indicated the local streetcar system would spark nearly $1.4 billion in new development along its route. That means it would produce — when adjusted in today's value — up to $2.70 in economic activity for every $1 invested.

2 comments:

  1. You could pay 100 people to sit around a table all day and stare at each other, and that would create an "economic impact". Money is paid to the group of people, who then go out and buy lunch, dinner, etc. Those companies then use that money for themselves or more business purchases. It goes on.

    This is the economic multiplier at work. Even the most worthless, make-work project such as the one cited above, has an "economic impact".

    That does not, however, make it a worthwhile project, and definitely doesn't mean it's worthy of taxpayer supporter. The primary purpose of these "economic impact" numbers is to create a big-sounding number that sounds great and fools people into giving up their tax dollars for a project that nobody wants to fund with their own money.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Any economic impact study produced by the thoroughly discredited U.C. Economic Development Department should be thrown directly into the trash. Toilet paper has more value.

    You'd think people would figure this out by now. Thanks again for another sure failure Mayor Mallory.

    ReplyDelete

We follow the "living room" rule. Exhibit the same courtesy you would show guests in your home.