Study shows economic benefits of Great Lakes Restoration Initiative

A new study has found that every federal dollar spent on Great Lakes Restoration Initiative projects nets $3.35 in additional economic activity through 2036.

The GLRI was launched in 2010 to restore and protect the Great Lakes. Congress appropriated $2.5 billion from that first year through 2017 to fund more than 3,6000 projects that researchers say have “dramatically improved environmental conditions around the region.”

The University of Michigan’s Research Seminar in Quantitative Economics led the study, which was reviewed by a panel of economists and other experts from outside the Great Lakes region.

The study found that every GLRI project dollar spent will generate $1.62 in additional economic activity through the tourism industry and produce quality of life improvements worth an additional $1.08 to residents of coastal communities.

Since its inception GLRI projects have trapped and removed six million pounds of Asian carp from the Illinois River, preventing the invasive species from inching closer toward the Great Lakes.

More than 402,000 pounds of phosphorus have been prevented from running into the lakes and more than 180,000 acres of fish and wildlife habitat have been protected or restored according to the study.

The GLRI was envisioned as an environmental program, but researchers found that the program has created or supported as many jobs per dollar of investment that would be created by a conventional federal stimulus program.

In all, researchers found that GLRI generated or supported more than 1,700 between 2010 and 2016. In Ashtabula, the GLRI accounted for nearly 10 percent of all observed job growth.

Eight case studies were completed as part of the report. Ashtabula was among them.

Researchers have found a renewed interest in recreational boating. There has been a 42 percent increase in pleasure boat registrations since 2008. There are 27 new businesses in the Ashtabula Harbor business district. Tourism sales brought in $434 million in 2016.

The case studies show that the GLRI has “led to significant new real estate and commercial development,” researchers said. That was particularly the case in waterfront areas. They found a resurgence in traditional water-based recreation and the emergence of a new type of tourism that is focused on kayaking, kitesurfing and paddle boarding.

Case studies also pointed to an improved quality life, indicated by willingness to pay more for housing in coastal areas. There is also an increased number of young people who are choosing to stay in or relocate to Great Lakes communities.

Ohio lawmakers who represent Lake Erie communities were quick to applaud the study’s finding. The GLRI typically receives $300 million in federal funds each year. Lawmakers have fought against proposed funding cuts dating back to the Obama Administration, but the most significant proposed cuts have come during the Trump Administration where the White House once proposed zeroing out the program entirely. The program has thus far continued to see its full funding.

“Protecting the Great Lakes is not a red or blue issue. I’ve met with residents and local stakeholders — I know first-hand that the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative is a resultsdriven program that continues to drive Northeast Ohio’s economy,” U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce, R-Bainbridge Township, said in a statement. “The regionwide impact of the GLRI continues to grow by leaps and bounds and I look forward to fighting hard with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to continue to preserve and protect our Lakes by supporting this program.”

U.S. Sen Rob Portman, ROhio, said the benefits highlighted in the study are consistent with what he has seen.

“The Great Lakes are an invaluable resource to Ohio, and this study proves that the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative has been a successful public-private partnership that helps protect our environment and strengthen our economy,” Portman said in a statement.

On Twitter, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, said the GRLI “good for Lake Erie, it’s good for jobs, and it’s good for our economy.”

“We need to keep investing in this program,” he wrote.

MORNING JOURNAL FILE A group of sail boaters on Lake Erie, just off of the Vermilion shoreline.

CAROL HARPER — THE NEWS-HERALD Steps lead to a sandy beach and an evening reverie in April at Lake Erie Bluffs, a Lake County Metroparks at 3301 Lane Road in Perry Township.