The Impact of Governor Cuomo's Economic Goals

"Because when people see what the region has to offer, they fall in love and keep coming back. This administration is investing in tourism and local assets like never before in order to create jobs and stimulate the Upstate economy, and I'm proud to continue that focus in the North Country and beyond."-Governor Cuomo ("Governor Cuomo"). 

New York State Governor Cuomo, as mentioned in an earlier post, has made controversial decisions involving the park. It's difficult to determine what goals for the Adirondacks outweigh or are more important than others. For example, choosing to increase tourism in the Adirondacks could further increase the number of new houses being built yearly. New housing developments can negatively impact ecosystems in the park. Although his decisions may negatively impact ecological aspects of the park, Cuomo's decisions are positively impacting the economy of New York State and the local Adirondack residents, and he is a government official acknowledging the people of the park.

In the past year, New York State has made a total investment of $4.5 million in the Adirondacks ("Governor Cuomo"). Of this amount, $500,000 has been directed to tourism promotion and advertising. The funding is focusing on a new cross-border advertising campaign, which invites both New Yorkers and Canadian travelers to visit ski areas and winter destinations in Upstate New York. The Canadian market contributes 4.2 million visitors annually to New York State and has an approximately $1.6 billion economic impact ("Governor Cuomo"). The advertisements will focus on attracting these travelers to winter activities available in places like the Adirondacks. Governor Cuomo has invested $425,000 in snow mobile trails. This money has gone towards the Snowmobile Trail Fund, which provides upkeep for more than 10,000 miles of public snowmobile trails. In New York State, snowmobiling has generated an annual estimate amount of $868 million in economic activity ("Governor Cuomo").

One of the cross-border advertisements created to help attract tourism from both New York State and Canada ("Governor Cuomo").

Cross-border advertising and snowmobile trails are just two examples of what Gov. Cuomo has invested in. These examples, in addition to numerous other investments, has lead to an increase in tourism and has boosted the economy. Since 2011, there has been $130 million invested to promote tourism. As a result, since 2011, visitation was up 12% to 227.5 million, visitor spending is up 16% to $62.5 billion, and jobs are up 15% to 884,200 ("Governor Cuomo").

Often, when it comes to decisions regarding the Adirondacks, the local residents, the people actually living in the park, are ignored. Although he ultimately cares for the welfare of the entire state of New York, Cuomo appears to be a government official finally taking into consideration the welfare of the locals. He has invested money into boosting the economy of the Adirondacks, and the positive impact is seen in the in visitation, spending, and job numbers.

Works Cited

"Governor Cuomo Announces Success of Third Adirondack Winter Challenge, Investments to Boost Tourism in Upstate New York." Governor Andrew M. Cuomo. New York State, 28 Feb. 2016. Web. 03 Apr. 2016.