Projections for the restoration of the Everglades
The Everglades Foundation recently released the results of a comprehensive analysis of the financial return on investment generated by restoration of America’s Everglades ecosystem.
The study was conducted by Mather Economics, an Atlanta economic consultancy founded in 2002, and shows that for every one dollar spent on Everglades restoration, $4.04 will be generated in economic benefits. Projections also indicate that this will have an incremental impact on employment by adding about 442,644 jobs over 50 years. The U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers also predicts that the restoration itself can result in the addition of 22,966 new short-t0-mid-term jobs.
“It is clear that Everglades restoration not only produces ecological benefits, but also generates a robust boost to our economy,” said Kirk Fordham, CEO, Everglades Foundation. “When we invest in protecting and restoring the Everglades, we are also revving up a powerful job creation engine. Aside from the good paying jobs in construction, engineering, and the sciences that come with restoration projects, we are boosting employment in a wide range of industries.”
The study also shows that the Everglades restoration will also result in added value to the economy of $5,129 per individual residing in the 16-county South Florida Water Management District.
The Everglades Foundation is not-for-profit organization that seeks to reverse the damage inflicted on the ecosystem and provides policymakers and the public with an honest and credible resource to help guide decision-making on complex restoration issues. For more information about this foundation please visit www.evergladesfoundation.org.
—Sara Chobert
