economic impact
The recently released economic-impact study of the 2009 pro tournament season on Lake Champlain reported:

  $4,722,459 generated annually for the region.

  $8,419,831 generated with the inclusion of ancillary visits.

  4,355 room nights.

  42.5 regional jobs created.

  2,852-percent return on investment on host fees.

PLATTSBURGH — The 2009 Lake Champlain bass tournaments pulled more than $8 million into the Clinton County economy, and officials believe aggressive marketing of the lake will only strengthen that impact.

The Adirondack Coast Visitors and Convention Bureau, a division of the Plattsburgh-North Country Chamber of Commerce, released economic-impact figures Friday that identified $4.7 million in direct spending related to the tourneys and $8.4 million in overall spending.

"The techniques used provide a conservative estimate of revenue brought into the community," Colin Read, principal consultant for the impact study, said during a press conference at Champlain Centre Friday morning.

"As we begin to measure additional impacts over time, we may even discover the economic impact to be larger yet."

JOB, TAX BENEFITS
The study identified various services that anglers used while in the region, including the cost of lodging, food and gas.

It also looked at additional revenue from anglers when they came to scout the lake before a tourney or to return to the area following competition, Read explained.

Tourneys also created 22 jobs in the county and pulled in $155,000 in tax revenue, he added, noting that those figures more than paid for the cost of hosting the tournaments.

"In terms of community investment, there are few projects one could imagine with a similar positive return."

The study also looked at statewide impact, including the creation of 42 jobs and a tax revenue exceeding $268,000, he added.

'REMARKABLE'
Garry Douglas, president and chief executive director for the chamber, compared the economic findings to a similar study in the 1990s that identified the economic impact Plattsburgh Air Force Base had on the region.

Utilizing an impact study gave concrete figures to what was already known as an important boon to the local economy in both cases, he said, adding that the fishing-tourney numbers represented a "remarkable economic impact."

Douglas also cited the "free publicity" that comes from hosting the tourneys as more and more people become aware of what Lake Champlain and the region have to offer tourists.

Both Read and Douglas emphasized their beliefs that revenue figures will rise significantly as the region continues to host professional bass tournaments.

2010 TOURNEYS
In 2010, seven tourneys will be held on Lake Champlain, starting with the Bassmaster Weekend Series June 12.

"After seeing these numbers, I'm even more excited to announce the seven tournaments we will host in 2010," said Kristy Kennedy, group marketing specialist for the Adirondack Coast Visitors Bureau.

The 2010 tournaments are:

June 12: BassMaster Weekend Series.

June 26: Northern Bass Supply.

July 15: FLW American Fishing Series.

July 17: National Guard College Series.

July 22-24: BassMaster Northern Open.

Aug. 25 to 28: FLW Eastern Series.

Sept. 12 to 17: TBF Federation.

The tourneys are expected to bring in more than 3,000 of the country's top bass anglers, competing for $1.5 million in cash and prizes.

BOAT PROMOTION
Derrick Martineau, who grew up in AuSable Forks and has been fishing Lake Champlain since he was 6, will compete during those tourneys aboard his 2008 Ranger, christened "The Adirondack Coast."

"Lake Champlain is phenomenal as both a largemouth and smallmouth (bass) lake," said the five-year pro of bass-fishing tourneys.

"I know I may be biased, coming from here, but most of the other anglers I've talked to say Lake Champlain is the place to be."

With "The Adirondack Coast" emblazoned on his boat, officials believe, Martineau's participation in tourneys across the country will be a major boost for marketing the region.

"It's a moving billboard," said Michele Powers, vice president of marketing for the bureau.

More than 1.4 million people will see the boat and its Adirondack/Lake Champlain affiliation throughout the 2010 season, she added.

PROTECTING THE FISH
City of Plattsburgh Building Inspector Rick Perry, the city's lead for working with tourney representatives, stressed the region's commitment to conservation during the tourneys.

"We will only sponsor catch-and-release tournaments," he said, noting that 98 percent of the fish caught in tournaments are successfully returned to the lake without harm.

The city continues to work with environmental and conservation agencies to minimize the tourneys' impact on the lake's resources, he added.

State-of-the-art equipment will always be used to ensure the health of the fish, as well as safety for the anglers and general recreation users of the lake, he said.

Concerns were raised after the 2009 tournament when a number of dead fish washed ashore around Lake Champlain.

E-mail Jeff Meyers at: jmeyers@pressrepublican.com