Overview of Gateway Workshop 

Economic Development Opportunities 

In a recent meeting of the Clatsop County Economic Development Council it was agreed that a future National Heritage Area could be a significant factor in future economic development strategies for the following reasons.

1. A National Heritage Area could be a catalyst to cross State (OR/WA) economic growth and partnerships through an increased awareness of previously unknown clusters, organizations and industries at the local level. Greater awareness of our space and the individuals/industries that occupy that space will enhance the possibilities to create new partnerships and economies.
   
   
2. Greater opportunities to form coalitions and economic partnerships
   
   
3. Better opportunities to leverage funds at the bi-state level for economic development, business incubation and the strengthening of existing, or new industry clusters.
   
   
4. NHA’s elsewhere in the country have been successful in leveraging public and private funding to enhance their communities.  This includes transportation improvements, community character improvements, heritage preservation, and sustainable economic development consistent with community character.
   
   
5. An NHA will create a platform for cross-promotion within the tourism and travel industries. In other words, a future NHA would likely encompass a regional approach to marketing. Benefiting the region as a whole and not necessarily any one area or city. It will also allow some areas and cities to capitalize on previously untapped opportunities as goods, and services move through that space, that might suddenly become “in demand”.
   
   
6. The NHA will reduce costs with the creation of regional marketing and economic development initiatives.
   
   
7. The possibility to attract various industries because of a “National Heritage Area” title. An example of this might be the film industry.
   
   
8. Greater opportunities in creating entrepreneurs with the demand for services that might not already be provided. As well as supporting existing businesses as the popularity of the NHA grows.

National Heritage Areas generated an estimated $8.5 billion last year in both direct and indirect spending, supporting an estimated 152,324 jobs. It is anticipated that Destination The Pacific will create THE FIRST National Heritage Area on the West Coast. There are currently only  a few NHA’s to the west of Iowa, the closest now being in Utah and Nevada. The strategic and Geographical position of Destination The Pacific will allow the opportunity for visitors to travel with relative ease from:

• California
• Nevada
• Idaho
• Washington
• Oregon
• Utah
• Montana
• British Columbia 

Statistics show that over 50% of visitors to NHA’s stay overnight and over 50% return for a repeat visit.

We hope the National Heritage Area will create an opportunity for businesses within Clatsop and Pacific Counties, as well as other parts of the bordering counties in both States, to maximize revenues through an increase in visitors and services either directly within the NHA, or traveling to and from the NHA. We also believe that Destination The Pacific will create a sense of ownership for residents and businesses within that area who will become stakeholders in its success.

Feasibility Study Funding

So far we have widespread support for a future National Heritage Area. However, we still have some way to go to not only create that area in name, but even more importantly link all of those existing previously separate components into a single geographical, economic and culturally recognized entity that will benefit the region as a whole. Figures clearly show that funding contributions will enable a return on investment many times that of its initial amount. I will refer back to the 8.5billion dollars that were generated in NHA’s last year.

NHA’s create an opportunity that encompasses micro to macro economic development opportunities. Funding of this project will boost an area that has largely not grown at the economic rate that we would like to see. A National Heritage Area could potentially be the biggest boost to our economy in many years. Over the years we have seen some of the more traditional industries that supported our communities shrink. We now have a real opportunity to boost our economy while leaving a cultural legacy and a greater understanding of how people and the geography have created this wonderful place that we are fortunate to call home. Please help and support in any way you can, the proposed Destination the Pacific National Heritage Area. 

Possible benefits:

These disadvantages are not a reason to discourage pursuit of a National Heritage Area but rather identify elements we need to be aware of and find solutions to implement or take into consideration during our planning.