Tourism in the NEK

Vermont Business Magazine, Aug 01, 2004 by Edelstein, Art

Bill Stenger, at Jay Peak Ski Area, said tourism here is one of the more stable and growing segments of the economy." His ski area will soon be a four-season resort when the $5 million golf facility opens in a year.

The golf course should also boost winter tourism, he predicted, because it will help with area confidence, as Jay Peak becomes a four-season resort.

Stenger is banking on his $17 million investment in real estate construction in second homes for recreational residents to boost his bottom line and the area's economy. Currently Jay Peak employs 250 subcontractors from Orleans and Franklin County to build the 56 new housing units.

With this construction, the resort's bed base rises from 1,100 to 1,650 units and those beds will be actively rented. This should attract more tourists to the area, he said.

"You are seeing an influx into the region in general," said Stenger. The Northeast Kingdom, he said, has retained the Vermont look and feel most people (outside the state) think of as the "real" Vermont.

"The brand identity in this part of the state is more succinct," he said. "You have a good blend of agriculture, travel, manufacturing, education and health care, all equally strong in the region."