THE he B BUSINESS usiness T T Times IMES
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une 25-J15-28, uly 8, 2015 2020 JJANUARY
THE BUSINESS TIMES Administrator Monumental brings spending:
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well-rounded perspective Visitor analysis totals to neweconomic Mesa County role local effects
Philthe CastleColorado National as well as New Monument England and Canada. VisitorsTheto Business Times Whidden said people who work in spent $25.2 million in area communities information technology aren’tin just2019 “geeks,”
Visitors Whidden to the Colorado National million that was spent duringbecause 2015. Frank brings what he $36.7 but offer an important perspective Monumenta spent an estimated $25.2 million Forfamiliar 2019, with lodging considers well-rounded perspective to his they’re nearly accounted every aspectfor of in Grand Fruita administrator. and other nearby more than and a third visitor at new job asJunction, Mesa County operations how ofwork gets spending done. They communities 2019, in turn contributing $8.5 million. another Whiddeninworked also tend to thinkVisitors about newspend and potentially nearly $31information million to the area economy, $4.9 restaurants, million in bettermillion ways ofatdoing things in$3.7 asking and according toand the latest gasoline“what and $1.8 million for groceries. technology holds results of an annual for answering if ” questions. “They know conducted totaled million. aanalysis master’s degree by in the National Park Retail how tospending effect change in$2.5 an organization.” Service. information Visitor spending in computer Whidden expectssupported to bring 88 thatjobs same The But economic lodging industry, a number matched systems. he alsoeffects of visits to the approach to his duties as administrator. national aparks, monuments and other by Whidden employment holds doctoral said related it’s his torolesecondary to help National Park Service sites in 2019 was effects. also supported in degree in applied county Spending commissioners make 77 andjobs then estimated at $772 million 33 jobsThe in retail. management and in Colorado and restaurants implement and decisions. commissioners $41.7 billion nationwide. Economic outputthe from visitor spending decision making and Frank Whidden in turn represent residents of the greatest at $11.2their million “These treasured worked for more than places provide was county and express will,for he secondary said. “We respite andasrecreation for Whidden the American by $8.5 million for the 20 years a minister. has effects, work forfollowed the people.” people for in large addition vital economic lodging sector and million for restaurants. worked and to small organizations Whidden said$4.9 he also considers himself support to gateway communities across the a liaison In Colorado, of 7.8 million in both the private and public sectors. between athetotal commissioners and country,” saidexpects David Bernhardt, Whidden to draw on secretary all of his visits county to staff,National and one Park of the Service priorities sites is to of the Department of Interior, which were in 2019feel and accounted for experiences in helping Mesa County make reported sure employees valued. Whidden oversees the National Park Service. That spending commissioners make and carry out decisions. $515 said hemillion hopes in notspending. only to improve morale, The national parkmaking visitorthe spending 7,340steps jobs,that $268will million labor Valuing staff and county supported but also take makein Mesa effects report takes account the number $464 million in value addedpeople and a an employer of into choice is among the income, County an organization for which of visitors Whidden to National Park sites total priorities, said. SoService is planning want economic to work. output of $772 million. and estimated of money they spent Annual visitorWhidden spending expects in Colorado that results inamount sustainable funding and Meanwhile, the in communities within miles. The report has increased more policies than 48 and percent since balanced budgets on a 60 long-term basis. county to continue initiatives also Meanwhile, calculates the number of jobs visitor Mesa County will 2012. that support local business and economic spending to supported and the anda development. Rocky Mountain National Park alone continue pursue efforts thatindirect promote There are additional steps induced effects of visitor spending that and add accounted for 4.7 million visitors and friendly business environment that can be taken to make it easier for local to economic contributions. $314 million spending 2019. economic development, Whidden said. businesses to in sell productsinand services to The Colorado National Monument Nationwide, more than 327 million Whidden officially began working as the county, he added. attractedadministrator 397,000 visitors 2019 who a total of $21 billionwith in county at the inbeginning of visitors Mesaspent County will keep working spent an He estimated $25.2who million near National Service the year. succeedstotal TomofFisher, was communities other government entities, Park organizations in gateway communities. That spending supported 340,500 hired as county managerThat in spending Summit sites. and institutions on fostering an environment in turn supported 352 jobs, $9.7 million in jobs resulted in a businesses total economic County, Utah. that and supports existing and $41.7 billion. he said. laborWhidden income, $17.1 million in value added joined Mesa County in output attractsof new businesses, Lodging accounted and a total of as $30.7 million intechnology economic August 2011 information Whiddenexpenses said there could forbethea output. In April 2014, he became deputy biggest share to of encourage spending atthe $7.1 billion, director. opportunities additional economic was greatest in the Annual visitor spending the while county administrator for near resource development of output businesses that provide at $4.2 billion. Colorado National Monument was the restaurant management in a staffing reorganization services tosector the agricultural industry as well F highest since 2016, but still below the as promote Mesa County that eliminated four director positions. as a distribution Before joining Mesa County, center for the region. Whidden worked for a company providingINFORMATION The important thing is to consider FOR YOUR information technology services to issues from a well-rounded perspective, colleges and information universities. In that the role,National he Whidden said. “We won’ton bevisitor myopic as we For more about Park Service report managed IT insystems and www.nps.gov/subjects/socialscience/vse.htm. services for look at things.” spending 2019, visit institutions in Alabama, Arizona, Illinois ✦
