Why Keep Heritage & Tourism Sites Open?

REASONS TO KEEP ALL HERITAGE AND TOURISM SITES OPEN

• Over $2 billion in annual economic impact. – $50 million in state tax revenue generated each year. – Over 100,000 jobs. – 6 million schoolchildren served.Source: MidAtlantic Center for Arts, Cape May

• New Jersey’s non-profit arts industry generates over $1.5 billion each year in economic activity for the State of New Jersey through direct spending by arts groups and related patron spending, including over $36 million in state tax revenue. Historical activities – including rehabilitation of historic properties, heritage tourism, and spending by historic sites and organizations — generates $580 million each year in economic activity and approximately $14 million in state tax revenue.

• New Jersey’s non-profit arts industry supports:over 80,000 jobs,Over 34,000 public events each year,17,000 arts-related businesses,Over 4 million schoolchildren served by educational programs New Jersey’s history museums and organizations support: Over 21,000 paid jobs 65,000 volunteers 6.4 million visitors annually.

• New Jersey’s non-profit arts and history industry drives local economies, too! According to a 2007 study conducted by Americans for the Arts, arts activities in Newark and New Brunswick together generate over $214 million in economic activity with nearly 5,500 jobs, and over $8 million in local government tax revenue.

• New Jersey non-profit arts groups serve over 4 million schoolchildren each year on site and in schools throughout the state. State dollars keep fees affordable for outreach and education programs to benefit the greatest number of students, particularly those in economically disadvantaged areas. These programs are most vulnerable to fluctuations in state support because of their limited income generating potential. History museums and organizations welcome 2 million schoolchildren a year on-site, and a growing number on the internet and through in-school programs.

• New Jersey’s non-profit arts and history industry is sustained through a dedicated revenue source legislated in 2003, the Hotel/Motel Occupancy Fee. This legislation established a certifiable and renewable source of revenue for arts, history, and tourism promotion. It was passed to create a stable source of state cultural support.