Jeff Knapp, Visit McMinnville

February 24, 2022

Jeff Knapp 

Executive Director Visit McMinnville

To Whom It May Concern:

Visit McMinnville enthusiastically supports the completion of the Yamhelas Westsider Trail. Completion of this important project will connect the county’s recreation assets, will create a new visitor draw that will also serve our community’s families, and support the expanding recreation needs of our growing workforce.

Research completed by Travel Oregon in 2015 shows that cyclists who rode on Oregon scenic bikeways in that year directly supported over 150 jobs with earnings of approximately $3.4 million. This spending also generated local and state tax receipts of approximately $450,000. Of those scenic bikeways, by far the most popular destination was the Willamette Valley. Of those Willamette Valley route visitors, over 82% said that the cycling route was the primary reason for their trip, and 64% of those visitors had an average household income of $75,000+.

In addition to these encouraging economic development data points, the Yamhelas Westsider Trail will complement several million dollars in road improvements and cycling trails that the Bureau of Land Management is investing in the Nestucca River Corridor - construction on these efforts has already been completed on Meadowlake Road. A real opportunity exists to connect those efforts to our charming communities via safe cycling routes like Yamhelas.

Visit McMinnville supports completion of the Yamhelas Westsider Trail. There is a true economic benefit to the trail, and Visit McMinnville is committed to supporting promotion of the trail to draw visitors with real spending potential, which will benefit all of Yamhill County. We urge you to support the Yamhelas Westsider Trail.

Sincerely,

Jeff Knapp Executive Director Visit McMinnville