Economic Impact Tool for Byways
Frequently Asked Questions


Q: What is the Economic Impact Tool?
A: The Economic Impact Tool will be a powerful, user-friendly computer model to assist all National Scenic Byways and All-American Roads in measuring the impacts of National Scenic Byway designation on their surrounding communities. 

Q: When will the tool be available?
A: We are now on course to complete the Economic Impact Tool in 2009 so byways can begin using it in 2010. We will be working on the development of the model and the user interface throughout the spring of 2009, and will be ready to have a limited number of local byway organizations “field test” our product in late summer. This field testing is an essential component of our work, as we need to ensure that local Byways groups feel comfortable using the model and explaining its results to decision-makers in their communities.

Q: Can my byway be a field tester?
A: All nationally designated byways are eligible. Being a field tester will require a significant amount of your time and effort, but will result in you having direct input on the development of the Impact Tool, as well as the ability to get your results this year (instead of in 2010). 

Q: What does a field tester do?
A: Byway field testers will provide the following assistance:
* Participate in online training session (via WebEx)
* Collect a variety of economic and labor market data points (we will provide direction on how to obtain this information)
* Collect and compile local property assessment data for jurisdictions traversed by your byway
* Assemble information on past, current, and planned investments in your region that have been influenced by the byway’s presence
* Collect data on visitor activity and spending in the byway corridor (this may include administering Web-based surveys of visitors to your byway region; surveys will be designed by the contractor and the America’s Byways Resource Center)
* Enter visitor spending, economic, and local valuation/investment data into the Impact Tool interface
* Run the Impact Tool and collect comments and questions
* Participate in a “debriefing” session with the contractor and the America’s Byways Resource Center to discuss the Impact Tool

We estimate that participation as a field tester will require up to 40 hours of your time, beginning in June of this year, and concluding by September.	

Q: How much will it cost a byway to be a field tester?
A: An optional low-cost survey tool ($200 or less) is the only potential monetary cost associated with field testing.

Q: How can I apply for my byway to be a field tester?
A: To express your byway’s interest in being a field tester, submit a letter of commitment to Henry Hanka, Special Projects Manager, at hhanka@byways.org or 394 Lake Avenue South, Suite 600, Duluth, MN 55802. Letters must be postmarked by April 30, 2009.

Q: How will the field testers be selected and when will they be notified?
A: A committee will review the applicants. Byways will be notified of acceptance by May 15, 2009.

Q: Who can I contact with questions about this effort?
A: If you are interested in supporting our efforts as a field tester, or if you just have questions about the effort, please contact Henry Hanka, Special Projects Manager, at hhanka@byways.org or 218-625-3306.