The study shows a significant increase in recreational boating's impact, as compared to similar data compiled in 1999 by The Ohio State University. That year, recreational boating's impact was set at $1.4 billion in Ohio, with support for 19,500 jobs.
"We know recreational boating is a viable and growing industry in the region, which explains why Ohio and five other Great Lakes states are among the top 10 states nationally in number of registered watercraft," Sean D. Logan, director of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, said in a statement.
The study details the primary and secondary economic impacts generated by boaters and the boating industry.
Primary impacts in Ohio included $1.96 billion in direct sales of boats, equipment, repairs, insurance and trip-related expenses such as gasoline, lodging, restaurants and marina fees.
Additionally, researchers added $656 million in personal income from salaries related to the boating industry and $939 million in value-added expenditures such as restaurant suppliers, repair workers and service station employees.
