September 12, 2017
Aldermen Brian McCarthy re: R-17-116
Page 2
The recently released report by Americans for the Arts provides significant insight
in the value of a vibrant arts and cultural presence in a community. !n fact, the four
New Hampshire communities studied benefited from a combined $120 MILLION
positive economic impact from audience-goers in 2015 alone. Of that, local
government revenues from taxes, fees and licenses totaled $6,536,000.
e These audience-goers were highly educated - on average, 78% hada 4 year
college degree or higher.
e These audience-goers were from higher-income households ~ on average,
54% had a household income of $80,000 or more. .
e Asignificant percentage of these audience-goers came from other
communities ~ on average, 36% of attendees did not live in the community
where the performance they attended was held.
In short, these are the very people we want to attract into Nashua - well educated,
economically successful, and often non-residents who will get a chance to see how
truly great our community is and chose to make their homes and locate their
businesses here.
We strongly urge a positive vote on R-17-116. The economic promise of this project
is there for us to grasp and promises to continue to yield benefits for generations
to come.
Sincerely,
Tracy S. Hatc
President and CEO
