Study: Greenway Proposal Could Provide Economic Boost
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowA study commissioned by the Hoosier Environmental Council estimates a trail and park system spanning Muncie to Anderson along the White River could have a $13 million annual economic impact on east central Indiana. The Mounds Greenway is a counter to the 2,100-acre Mounds Lake Reservoir that is also being explored in Madison and Delaware counties.
The research was conducted by Oregon-based Alta Planning + Design. The HEC presented it Monday night at a public meeting in Chesterfield.
HEC says the study suggests the proposed greenway would bring $3 million annually to the area in tourism, $2 million in reduced travel costs and $8 million from quality-of-life benefits such as lower health care costs, lower vehicle emissions and stormwater and flood control. It also estimates property values would be boosted by more than $32 million once complete.
Senior Policy Director Tim Maloney says "both Anderson and Muncie have done a commendable job developing local trails, and the Cardinal Greenway is a successful rails-to-trails project. The Mounds Greenway, once completed, will fill in the missing link to create a regionally-significant trail network that helps connect the two cities and the three towns in between."
Another forum on the study is slated for June 27 in Daleville, with others later this year in Yorktown, Anderson and Muncie.
You can connect to more on the proposal by clicking here.