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County cites $16 million annual ATV economic impact as alliance readies sold‑out expo
Summary
Aitkin County rec staff said an economic study ties roughly $16 million per year to ATV trail activity; the Northwoods Alliance has grown to about 13 clubs and will attend a sold‑out Northern Off‑Road Expo in Brainerd April 10–11, organizers said.
An economic study cited by Aitkin County recreation staff estimated about $16 million a year returns to the local area from ATV trail activity, a county official said, and the Northwoods Alliance is marking growth with a presence at the Northern Off‑Road Expo.
"The ATV economic study that that we just had done uh recently. $16 million a year comes back into our our our area, our community because of that ATV trail directly," Chris Johnson said on the county program. Johnson and the host attributed hotel growth, rental services and new businesses near trailheads to increased trail use.
Johnson said the Northwoods Alliance now includes 13 clubs and more than 500 interconnected miles of trail, allowing extended rides across counties and toward the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. He announced the alliance will participate in the first Northern Off‑Road Expo on April 10–11 at the Northern Pacific Center in Brainerd and said vendor space had sold out.
The county and local clubs credited the trails with attracting visitors and supporting small businesses; Johnson recounted a local example in which trail development coincided with hotel expansion and rental services near the Emily/Blind Lake trail area.
Organizers are relying on club volunteers and local businesses to continue stewarding trails as use increases; Johnson encouraged riders to learn which clubs manage which segments if they want to volunteer or support maintenance efforts.
