- It is common knowledge among economists that big crowd / short term events such as Super Bowls bring questionable net economic value to a community. The costs to local government and agencies outweigh the short term spending by huge crowds of visitors. Did the few people in Rockbridge County (or in Gov. Kaine's office) who knew about the proposal process analyze what the impacts or limited benefits would be? Did they ask the right (or any) questions?
Some answers are found in the documents related to the "selection" process. Highlights include: - BSA really wants 100,000 acres for the Jamboree to use;
- There's consideration of hydroelectric power generation for the Lake Merriweather dam;
- All planning for traffic, trash and other removal, etc. assume use of Route 39 through the Pass;
- It was represented in the Rockbridge Partnership submittal that this area is NOT "prone to sink holes, natural springs, caves, etc." Anyone who lives here knows that is flat wrong;
- There was concern that any environmental or cultural resource assessment should not be able to delay the process of full approval - not concern that they be completed carefully or that resources be protected;
- Once the national Jamboree is established, they may want to bring the World Jamboree to Goshen Pass.....
Looking at these documents, it is not surprising that the person representing this community in the secret negotiations (Rockbridge Partnership staff) was relatively young and inexperienced, with no local ties and has already left the area.
Here are the documents:
- Our summary of highlights of the Proposal Process
- Original Request for Proposals from BSA Consultants (sent to VA Economic Development)
- Initial Submittal from "Rockbridge Partnership"
- Follow-Up Answers from "Rockbridge Partnership" after Finalist Selection
