MONROE - While proponents of the Cheese Country Trail point to the positive economic impact it has on local communities, no studies have been done in more than five years to determine what kind of an effect it actually has.
The Cheese Country Trail is a 47-mile trail that connects Monroe to Mineral Point. The trail is in Green, Lafayette and Iowa counties. Green County never has conducted a survey, and Monroe hasn't conducted a study.
That isn't to say no financial figures are available.
In March 2004, the Wisconsin Department of Tourism, in conjunction with the Wisconsin ATV Association and the University of Wisconsin, released a study that estimated how much money was generated in Green, Lafayette, Iowa, Dodge, Columbia, Sauk, Crawford, Richland, Dane, Jefferson and Rock counties due to an all-terrain vehicle trail.
The Cheese Country Trail was the only ATV trail in the area at the time of the study.
According to the report, the trail generated more than $11.2 million for the area, $4.2 million from people who were considered "non-local" ATV riders.
The study was conducted between June and October 2003.
Spending for all ATVers was divided into the following categories:
• Lodging - $968,162.
• Food/drink - $1,996,940.
• Entertainment - $601,524.
• Shopping - $2,183,838.
• Gas/transportation - $2,412,498.
• Convenience stores - $852,825.
• Gaming - $210,470.
• Other - $1,999,466.
The study also determined the average amount spent by a person who rode that trail was $266.68. Most of the riders, 68 percent, were from Wisconsin, while 24 percent were from Illinois and 10 percent were from Iowa.
ATV riders were interviewed at trail intersections, rail heads, rest stops and ATV events.
More information from the study is available at industry.travelwisconsin.com.
The Cheese Country Trail is a 47-mile trail that connects Monroe to Mineral Point. The trail is in Green, Lafayette and Iowa counties. Green County never has conducted a survey, and Monroe hasn't conducted a study.
That isn't to say no financial figures are available.
In March 2004, the Wisconsin Department of Tourism, in conjunction with the Wisconsin ATV Association and the University of Wisconsin, released a study that estimated how much money was generated in Green, Lafayette, Iowa, Dodge, Columbia, Sauk, Crawford, Richland, Dane, Jefferson and Rock counties due to an all-terrain vehicle trail.
The Cheese Country Trail was the only ATV trail in the area at the time of the study.
According to the report, the trail generated more than $11.2 million for the area, $4.2 million from people who were considered "non-local" ATV riders.
The study was conducted between June and October 2003.
Spending for all ATVers was divided into the following categories:
• Lodging - $968,162.
• Food/drink - $1,996,940.
• Entertainment - $601,524.
• Shopping - $2,183,838.
• Gas/transportation - $2,412,498.
• Convenience stores - $852,825.
• Gaming - $210,470.
• Other - $1,999,466.
The study also determined the average amount spent by a person who rode that trail was $266.68. Most of the riders, 68 percent, were from Wisconsin, while 24 percent were from Illinois and 10 percent were from Iowa.
ATV riders were interviewed at trail intersections, rail heads, rest stops and ATV events.
More information from the study is available at industry.travelwisconsin.com.