Does DRED Fail At Tourism?

I’m finishing out the 2012 ski season over here at Sunday River Ski Area in Newry, Maine and its really great, the conditions are good and the spring skiing is the best I’ve seen in a long time anywhere; including an experience skiing in Colorado at this time of year.  

The only other ski area that I’m aware is even open now is Wildcat over in New Hampshire. I decided to come over here to Maine because of not only the conditions but the free skiing (Sunday) and the services offered to skiers namely, the streaming hot tub after a long day and then places like the Sunday River Brewing Co. and The Matterhorn among others.  

New Hampshire or at least Wildcat doesn’t offer any of this.

I’m also thinking that starting next year the new casino in Oxford, Maine should be open I believe it will be called the Black Bear Casino which is driving distance from Sunday River.

Think More Tourism in Maine.

Meanwhile over in New Hampshire…

An interesting study that could be done this summer by a legislative committee would be a study of the DRED tourism budget and a financial analysis of exactly how much return NH taxpayers are getting for their investment in this state agency that does things like run a ski area at a loss or marginal profit (depending on accounting model used), purchasing glossy advertising in places like Boston and Philadelphia and hires staff to “coordinate public relations and media activities."

Right.

So I’m going to make a reaching guess now. Maine is spending less money on its state tourism budget and actually seeing a higher financial return on its tourism related activities. And I’m also being considerate of the fact that Maine has a sales tax while New Hampshire does not.

So does DRED fail at tourism?  

The taxpayers of New Hampshire deserve an answer to this question.

The Departure.

I'm not sure if he was behind the move but New Hampshire Business newspaper is reporting that Dawn Wivell is departing state government. If Commissioner George Bald was the moving party in this particular case:

Kudos to Commissioner George Bald!

The newspaper article stated that the Wivell position will not be replaced. So is this not only good news to the idea of saving taxpayers money but I believe the improvement of commerce in NH related to international trade and markets. So why might I say this? New Hampshire should not be in the trade recruitment business just like it shouldn't be in the ski area business. Not only are the markets dynamic and sophisticated enough to allow the international trade process to happen state government actually gets in the way. New Hampshire doesn't need this office and its overhead costs. Companies and entrepreneurs are going to come to New Hampshire when the capital, markets and sales potential are there state government doesn't need to be involved with this process. So I'm glad Ms. Wivell is leaving.

Next on deck should be Industrial Agents.

This may not be the title for these position(s). However, DRED still employs them. These are regionally based business recruiters. There can be some arguement for the value of their positions however, I think they should be converted to a commission sales position. So instead of the fixed state salary the agent would recieve a commission for every job and/or gross aggregate economic development project that was completed.

An idea for the future.

The departure of Dawn Wivell says to me that there can be positive change for the future the Romanesque emporers that are in power in New Hampshire don't run everything, forever and this is good.