The Southern Maine Planning and Development Commission commissioned an economic impact and fiscal benefit analysis of the Eastern Trail on SMPDC’s region and the state of Maine. The Eastern Trail is intended to provide the route for the East Coast Greenway in southern Maine through a four-season, non motorized, multipurpose, transportation and recreation trail between Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and South Portland, Maine. The approximately 65 mile trail brings users through historical landmarks, scenic vistas, recreation spots, and places to eat and shop.
The report’s analysis considers both:
(1) impact of current trail usage;
(2) impacts of a hypothetical trail expansion scenario that results in new construction spending and trail usage.