MACKINAC ISLAND, Mich. (WPBN/WGTU)— The Mackinac Bridge, a major tourist attraction in Michigan, draws approximately 2 million non-local visitors each year, with a third coming from out of state.
At the annual meeting of bridge authorities on Mackinac Island, findings from a six-month survey conducted by Public Sector Consultants (PSC) were released, highlighting the bridge’s significant economic impact.
Lauren Branneman of Public Sector Consultants said, “So what is the economic value that the bridge drives on an annual basis? And what’s the economic activity that is generated by the Labor Day Bridge law event? That’s what our study is answering here. We’ve got a very detailed lengthy report on giving you some high-level information.”
The report revealed that the Mackinac Bridge and its annual Labor Day Bridge Walk generate approximately $193 million in statewide output, with $162 million benefiting the regional economy of Mackinaw, Cheboygan, and Emmett counties.
The bridge supports more than 1,400 local jobs, generating $72 million in labor income.
“We talk about this total contribution, which includes the direct, the indirect, and the induced effects through employment, labor income, value added, which is also GDP, output, and then we also come up with some estimates for taxes that are supported because of the spending,” Branneman explained.”So this analysis focuses on those visitors who traveled more than 50 miles, they crossed the bridge, and they stayed in either Mackinac City or St. Ignace for 45 minutes or longer. And they spent money on things like transportation, food, shopping, recreation, and other things. So we call these non-local visitors,” said Branneman.
These visitors spent money on transportation, food, shopping, and recreation.”
Statewide, it generated approximately $193 million in statewide output, 162 million of which stayed in the regional economy, which is the three county area of Mackinaw, Cheboygan and Emmett,” said Branneman.
Branneman noted, “Overall, they contributed nearly $3 million in statewide output, which supported an average annual of 23 jobs. $2.4 million of that output was concentrated in the three-county region.”
The Labor Day Bridge Walk alone attracts visitors from 34 states, with an estimated 32,788 attendees last year.
“For every $1 invested by the Mackinaw Bridge Authority to put this event on, there was an additional $10.83 generated in the tri-county area in output,” said Branneman.
Branneman said, “And nearly two-thirds of those businesses surveyed said that the Bridgewalk had a positive impact on their business.”
Organizers of the upcoming Labor Day Bridge Walk announced that there will be no major changes this year.
They plan to maintain successful policies from last year and will add additional time-stamped turnaround signage on the bridge to guide walkers.