15 Sep Irrigation Districts Take On Update of Columbia Basin Project Economic Impact Report
Submitted by: John O’Callaghan, Secretary/Manager, South Columbia Basin Irrigation District
In August, following a Request for Proposal, the South Columbia Basin Irrigation District (SCBID), acting as lead agency for the East, Quincy, and South Columbia Basin Irrigation Districts, contracted Highland Economics to conduct an updated economic impact study on the full extent of the Columbia Basin Project.
Since the last economic study was completed in 2009 by Entrix, Inc. – over a decade ago – an updated economic study is necessary to reevaluate the broad impact of agricultural commodities, direct and secondary labor, local vendors, national and global suppliers and consumers, and state and local tax revenues.
This study began in August 2021, and is expected to be completed in March 2022. Its outcomes will show the value of the relationship between the production of irrigated agriculture in the Columbia Basin Project and the impact on local, state, and national economies. Additionally, the study will quantify traditional salary and vendor impacts. The study will also include the tax impacts on all sectors of government, as well as the value of Columbia Basin Project such as outdoor recreation, community development and farm labor.
Specific deliverables of this project include:
- Regional socioeconomic conditions and agricultural profile.
- Contrast of agricultural & economic conditions in CBP irrigated lands
versus dryland farming lands. - Direct & secondary economic impacts of CBP irrigated agriculture on
jobs, income, and output on local, state, and national economies. - Direct & secondary economic impacts of recreation associated with
CBP-related irrigation facilities on jobs, income, and output on local,
state, and national economies. - Fiscal impacts (taxes) of CBP for local, state, and national
governments. - Rural economic prosperity and community development benefits of
CBP irrigation.
A summary of outcomes will be published Spring 2022.