In addition to the environmental impacts listed above, we believe the river will once again become a gathering place for social activities and recreation. According to the Outdoor Recreation Association, Americans spend an average of $646 billion per year on outdoor recreation. (https://outdoorindustry.org/research-tools/outdoor-recreation-economy/)

In 2014, Grand Rapids WhiteWater released the results of an economic impact study. This study was conducted by the Anderson Economic Group and shows expanded recreational use of the Grand River, including proposed whitewater features at that time, could generate a net new economic impact of $18 million to $20 million per year. The study also found improved riverfront property utilization and taxable values could increase by $117.7 million. Though the proposed whitewater features have since been removed from the design due to regulatory concerns, the revitalization of the rapids has already catalyzed more than $160 million across 30 projects in Kent County and Ottawa County as the Grand River Greenway and other river’s edge projects get underway.