Road America, the world-renowned motorsports facility in Sheboygan County, is more than just an exciting place to watch races, according to a news release. It is also a significant economic driver for the state of Wisconsin.
The Washington Economics Group (WEG) was retained by Road America as independent consultants to estimate the comprehensive economic impacts associated with the ongoing operations of Road America on both Sheboygan County as well as the entire state of Wisconsin. These include both qualitative and quantitative categories of economic impacts. According to the study, the total economic impact of Road America each year is $254 million throughout Sheboygan County. Of this total, $181 million (or 71%) is due to direct economic effects, with $73 million (or 29%) attributable to indirect and induced economic effects. In addition, this economic activity supports 2,975 jobs, generates $83 million in household income, $131 million in GDP, and $34 million in federal, state, and local fiscal revenues throughout the county.
The total economic impact of Road America each year is $403 million for the entire state of Wisconsin. This is $149 million larger than Road America’s Impact on Sheboygan County due to larger indirect and induced economic multipliers relative to Sheboygan and the additional impact of out-of-county visitors. WEG added that $354 million of the $403 million in statewide impacts is due to visitor spending. Additional off-site lodging, dining, shopping, travel, and entertainment expenditures made by race fans, race competitors, and all other visitors as they shop and take advantage of different amenities throughout the local area, especially out-of-town visitors, contributed to the total figures.
