1. Taggert J. Brooks, PhD
Chair and Associate Professor of Economics
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse

2. The Causes of
Economic Growth

4. Tourism?

7. Thousands of Employees on Nonfarm Payrolls in
Salt Lake City, UT (MSA)
560
510
460
410
360
Jan-90 Jan-92 Jan-94 Jan-96 Jan-98 Jan-00 Jan-02 Jan-04

8. Thousands of Employees on Nonfarm Payrolls in
Salt Lake City, UT (MSA)
580
575
570
565
560
555
550
Jan-00 Jan-02 Jan-04

10. Thousands of Employees on Nonfarm Payrolls in
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta, GA (MSA)
2,200
2,100
2,000
1,900
1,800
1,700
1,600
1,500
Jan-90 Jan-92 Jan-94 Jan-96 Jan-98

11. Thousands of Employees on Nonfarm Payrolls in
2,200 Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta, GA (MSA)
2,150
2,100
2,050
2,000
1,950
1,900
1,850
1,800
Jan-95 Jan-97 Jan-99

15. A Metaphor for
Economic Development

19. Benefits
 Improved Amenities and Opportunities
 Increased Home Values (Hedonic value of
trails, parks, water, etc)
 Improved Health (Reduced Obesity)
 Tourism

20. Obesity Costs
 Direct Costs:
 5.7% of All Healthcare costs
 That’s $154 Billion overall
 $75 Billion paid by government.
 Indirect Costs: ($66 Billion)
 Absenteeism ($6 Billion)
 Presenteeism
 Disability and Workers Comp

21. Size of the Industry
 Bicycle Sales $6 Billion
 Canoes and Kayaks $0.25 Billion
 Video Game Sales $19 Billion

22. Comparative Advantage in
Economic Development

27. Thanks
Questions?
Taggert J. Brooks, PhD
Associate Professor of Economics
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse