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Visit Ogden says arts and culture support more than 2,400 jobs and $356 million in annual output
Summary
Visit Ogden presented an ARPA‑funded tourism study reporting that Weber County’s arts and culture sector supports 2,416 jobs, generates about $356 million in annual economic output and contributes roughly $7.4 million in state and local tax revenues; the bureau urged continued policy and program support and resident sentiment research.
Sarah Tolliver of Visit Ogden told the City Council at a work session Oct. 14 that a recent economic‑impact study funded through EDA/ARPA regranting and local grants shows arts and culture play a measurable role in Weber County’s economy. "Arts and culture in Weber County … support 2,416 jobs and over $95,000,000 in salaries and wages" and the study estimates total annual economic output at about $356,000,000, Tolliver said.
The report, she said, counts 147 arts and culture establishments in Weber County and attributes nearly $29,000,000 in annual visitor spending to the county’s arts and culture amenities. Those figures, Tolliver added, translate into an estimated $7,400,000 in state and local tax revenues in 2024, of which she said local tax collection is "approximately 3 and a half million dollars." Visit Ogden contracted John Stover & Associates and Union Creative Agency for the work and posted the full plan on its website.
Council members asked whether the study produced city‑level breakdowns or specific policy recommendations. Tolliver said the study was performed at the county level and did not include detailed policy prescriptions; she and other presenters suggested a refreshed arts‑and‑culture master plan and resident sentiment surveys to guide policy and investment choices. "We wanted to look at the economic and placemaking impacts… and ensure that [arts and culture] are also included in our long term economic development strategies," Tolliver said.
Tolliver also noted the study used NAICS code mappings and heat maps to identify concentrations of arts‑related businesses, finding Ogden held the largest concentration in the county. She urged continued advocacy, targeted programs and industry supports to protect and leverage arts and culture as a driver of both quality of life and visitor spending.
The Council did not take formal action on the report; staff and members discussed options for future resident surveys and an updated arts master plan, which speakers said would require additional funding.
