TOURISM 

Support Is Growing. Maine Businesses Should Be Preserved!

http://realwindinfoforme.com/blog/support-is-growing-maine-businesses-should-be-preserved/

Excerpt: The Maine Sporting Camp Association urges the State of Maine to recognize and address the adverse economic impact that industrial scale wind farms can cause to Maine sporting camps. The unspoiled lands, waters and natural character of inland Maine ’s landscape are what attract clientele to our Association’s doorsteps. Without these elements, the livelihood of the traditional Maine sporting camp will be irreplaceably lost.

Turbines and tourism at odds: critics

http://www.owensoundsuntimes.com/articledisplay.aspx?e=2890651

Excerpt:  The study, says Brunow, indicates the long-term economic upside was about $1 million to $2 million, whereas the economic downside was $2.5 million to $40 million in lost annual revenue from local business and from the municipal tax base.

Black Lake Chamber Opposes Wind Farms

http://www.ogd.com/article/20101221/OGD01/312219921/-1/ogd01

Excerpt:  The Black Lake Chamber of Commerce has weighed in on wind issues in Hammond , and, according to its president, the construction of an industrial wind farm would be a "devastating blow" to the local economy.

Cape Vincent Wind Turbine Development Economic Impact – Final Report Oct. 7, 2010

http://www.townofcapevincent.com/images/Economic_Impact_Report.pdf

Excerpt:  The establishment of heavily industrialized wind farms, additional roads, removal of trees and general change in the scenery will not help promote the benefits of Cape Vincent that have drawn so many people to our town for decades.

“Wind turbines don’t make good neighbors” Green Berkshires, Inc. May 14, 2004

http://www.greenberkshires.org/wind_power_postings/wind_turbines.html

Excerpt:  As has been demonstrated in other parts of the United States , and abroad, wind power plants can have significant negative impacts on visual aesthetics, tourism, property values, public roads, public safety, and quality of life for people living both close and at a distance from the developments. The financial benefits accrue to the individuals who lease or sell land for the plants, and in some cases to the towns that permit the plants, but the problems permeate the surrounding communities. The issue of whether or not we here in Berkshire County want wind power plants on our ridgelines is truly of regional concern.

Won't live under Berkshire turbines

http://www.greenberkshires.org/wind_power_postings/wont_live_under.html

Excerpt:  My desire to move to the Berkshires, a pastoral region that has long been celebrated as an example of preserved natural beauty, was in no small part precipitated by the construction of a 400-foot-tall wind turbine near my home in Hull , Mass. After living in the midst of rampant residential over-development beneath the flight path of Logan Airport , I concluded that I don't want to live beneath a noisy industrial development too. And, as is common with wind developments, once one turbine went up, another went up also. Now the town is moving forward with plans for several more of these mammoth structures along the gorgeous, ecologically-sensitive shoreline.

Impact of wind farms on tourism destinations

http://www.windaction.org/documents/26347

Excerpt: The Tourism Industry Association of Ontario supports the move of the Province to a more environmentally sustainable energy strategy. However, we do not support a

strategy that will unduly disadvantage tourism areas and businesses.

UK Energy Policy: The Small Business Perspective & The Impact on the Rural Economy Researched and written by Candida Whitmill For, and on behalf of, the Small Business Council February 2006

The Small Business Council is a non-departmental public body established in May 2000 to advise the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and the Chief Executive of the Small Business Service on the needs of existing and potential small businesses in order to help them succeed and prosper. Working with Ministers and Senior Policy makers, the Council advises and reports on the effects on small businesses of current and potential policies.

http://www.ventdecolere.org/archives/pays-voisins/UK%20and%20Tourism.pdf (executive summary)

Excerpt: The rural visitor economy is worth £14 billion in England alone and supports up to 800,000 jobs. Research shows that for an average 75% of visitors, the quality of the landscape and countryside is the most important factor in choosing a destination. Between 47% and 75% of visitors felt that wind turbines damage the landscape quality. In North Devon turbines would deter 11% of visitors, at a cost of £29 million and the loss of 800 jobs. Approximately 7% of visitors would not return to Cumbria , which would result in a loss of £70 million and 1,753 jobs. In the South West, just a 5% overall reduction in visitor numbers would lose the region £400 million and 15,000 jobs. Because of the multiplier effect, a reduction of visitors can have far-reaching consequences for the overall regional economy, a fact richly illustrated during the Foot and Mouth crisis. The evidence shows that in some areas, 49% of all sectors of rural businesses experienced a negative impact.