The document summarizes key findings from a survey of part-time residents in Sawyer County, Wisconsin. It finds that respondents purchased property for natural beauty and recreation. They collectively used their properties from 20,000-97,000 person-days annually and each household spent around $17,500 in the county annually. Respondents rated salespeople and shopping areas positively but cited convenience and price as reasons for shopping outside the county. The summary highlights both positive and negative resident views on tourism and economic development in the area.

2. “Difficult to
see, always
in motion is
the future.”
Yoda

3. ““Hayward could be a quaint city, but isHayward could be a quaint city, but is
currently nothing but a tourist trap catering tocurrently nothing but a tourist trap catering to
drive through or weekly visitors.”drive through or weekly visitors.”
““Better sales people (most HATE summerBetter sales people (most HATE summer
residents and tourists, but will take theirresidents and tourists, but will take their
money and spit in their face at the same time)”money and spit in their face at the same time)”
““Locals consider part-time residents asLocals consider part-time residents as
intruders, sock it to them attitude”intruders, sock it to them attitude”

4. ““We are very pleased with the businesses in theWe are very pleased with the businesses in the
community of Hayward, We are impressedcommunity of Hayward, We are impressed
with the kindness and friendliness ofwith the kindness and friendliness of
employees. We have felt on numerousemployees. We have felt on numerous
occasions that they have gone out of the wayoccasions that they have gone out of the way
to be of help. The employees are really to beto be of help. The employees are really to be
commended as well as the store owners whocommended as well as the store owners who
employ them.”employ them.”

6. Why?Why?
 Long-term discussions on changing trends (touristsLong-term discussions on changing trends (tourists
vs. seasonal residents)vs. seasonal residents)
 Caveats regarding census and other data sourcesCaveats regarding census and other data sources
 Lack of understanding regarding second homeLack of understanding regarding second home
market, property use, and preferencesmarket, property use, and preferences
 Sawyer County businesses were missingSawyer County businesses were missing
opportunities through product mix and marketingopportunities through product mix and marketing
 Build on the previous local research and work ofBuild on the previous local research and work of
others: Marcoullier, Ryan, etc.others: Marcoullier, Ryan, etc.

7. PartnersPartners
 Survey Development and ImplementationSurvey Development and Implementation
 Sawyer County Development CorporationSawyer County Development Corporation
 Sawyer County UW-ExtensionSawyer County UW-Extension
 UW River Falls Survey Research CenterUW River Falls Survey Research Center
 Local Steering CommitteeLocal Steering Committee

8. Who?Who?
RespondentsRespondents
 Owned property in Sawyer CountyOwned property in Sawyer County
 $80,000 in improved value$80,000 in improved value
 Mailing address for tax mailings outsideMailing address for tax mailings outside
Sawyer CountySawyer County
 Not a business or corporationNot a business or corporation
 1774 total households, 1226 surveyed, 6311774 total households, 1226 surveyed, 631
respondedresponded

10. What?What?
 Factors concerning their decision to purchaseFactors concerning their decision to purchase
property in Sawyer Countyproperty in Sawyer County
 How often they and others used their propertyHow often they and others used their property
 Annual household spending in the countyAnnual household spending in the county
 Reasons for not purchasing items in Sawyer CountyReasons for not purchasing items in Sawyer County
 Opportunities for business growth & developmentOpportunities for business growth & development
 Demographic informationDemographic information

11. Key FindingsKey Findings
 RespondentsRespondents
 67% Male67% Male
 71% no children under 18 living in household71% no children under 18 living in household
 82% over 45 yrs old82% over 45 yrs old
 63% currently employed63% currently employed
 70% bachelor’s degree or higher, 37% graduate or70% bachelor’s degree or higher, 37% graduate or
professional degreeprofessional degree
 70% household income greater than $100,000,70% household income greater than $100,000,
33% greater than $200,00033% greater than $200,000

12. Key FindingsKey Findings
 Purchase property because of the naturalPurchase property because of the natural
beauty, quiet, privacy, and recreationalbeauty, quiet, privacy, and recreational
opportunitiesopportunities
 Collectively use their properties ranging fromCollectively use their properties ranging from
a low of 20,223 people/days in March to aa low of 20,223 people/days in March to a
high of 97,588 people/days in July.high of 97,588 people/days in July.
 Each household spent approx. $17,500 inEach household spent approx. $17,500 in
Sawyer County – Total direct expendituresSawyer County – Total direct expenditures
between 29.8 and 32.5 million.between 29.8 and 32.5 million.

13. Key FindingsKey Findings
 Shopping in Sawyer CountyShopping in Sawyer County
 Friendliness of sales people 76% and attractivenessFriendliness of sales people 76% and attractiveness
of the shopping area 74% were rated as excellentof the shopping area 74% were rated as excellent
or good.or good.
 Convenience and Price were major factors peopleConvenience and Price were major factors people
purchased outside the countypurchased outside the county

14. ““I feel that all Sawyer County does anymore is have festivalsI feel that all Sawyer County does anymore is have festivals
and try to attract tourists. The reason I bought here 12 yearsand try to attract tourists. The reason I bought here 12 years
ago are disappearing”ago are disappearing”

15. I want Hayward of 1965 – I don’t give a damn aboutI want Hayward of 1965 – I don’t give a damn about
“shopping”. Let’s stop buying crap to dump in our landfills and“shopping”. Let’s stop buying crap to dump in our landfills and
focus on why we came here – TO RELAX!”focus on why we came here – TO RELAX!”

16. ““We like the small town laid back feel of Hayward. We wouldWe like the small town laid back feel of Hayward. We would
hate to see it fall prey to the glitzy, fun of the mill trend thathate to see it fall prey to the glitzy, fun of the mill trend that
seems to be taking away the character of other popular vacationseems to be taking away the character of other popular vacation
areas. Do not become too commercial and generic. Keep theareas. Do not become too commercial and generic. Keep the
variety and charm and beauty.”variety and charm and beauty.”

17. Survey IssuesSurvey Issues
 Funding (Not enough)Funding (Not enough)
 Ownership (Public domain or control byOwnership (Public domain or control by
funder?)funder?)
 Authorship (Negotiations up front?)Authorship (Negotiations up front?)
 Use of the data (Intended or unintended use)Use of the data (Intended or unintended use)

18. Possible Issues for ReflectionPossible Issues for Reflection
 If price and convenience are major drivers ofIf price and convenience are major drivers of
purchasing decisions, how can businesses capitalize?purchasing decisions, how can businesses capitalize?
 Are our tourism promotion efforts/ festivals andAre our tourism promotion efforts/ festivals and
events designed to promote overnight stays detractingevents designed to promote overnight stays detracting
from the quality of experience for permanent andfrom the quality of experience for permanent and
seasonal residents?seasonal residents?
 Conflicting views on economic development?Conflicting views on economic development?
(Quality vs. Quantity) (Growth vs. Development)(Quality vs. Quantity) (Growth vs. Development)
 Other?Other?

19. “Difficult to see, always in
motion is the future.”
Yoda
“In retrospect, what
would I have done
differently?”
•Timing
•Secondary Data
•Better use of final
product