OKLAHOMA CITY—Fifty years ago, a site was dedicated in northeast Oklahoma City for the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. In the decades since, the Museum has grown to become a major attraction that, according to a report announced Tuesday, November 8, creates an annual economic benefit estimated at $45.7 million.

The primary economic and revenue impacts of the Museum are from visitors. In addition, there also are a number of well-attended, special events each year that attract a sizeable number of out-of-town guests. Finally, the Museum generates an impact through its local supply purchases, payroll and employees. These employees spend a significant portion of their payroll locally, supporting other local businesses.

The economic impact analysis was prepared by Applied Economics of Phoenix, Arizona. It concludes that the Museum supports close to 730 jobs each year and $14.1 million in payroll at other local businesses supported by Museum visitors. This is in addition to the employees and payroll generated by the Museum directly, for a total impact of 840 jobs and $17.6 million in payroll.

The largest component of the impact that the Museum has on the region is from visitors. Based on an average of 103,500 annual non-local visitors, special event attendees and facility rental guests each year, the Museum supports $20.8 million in visitor expenditures. Through the multiplier effect on the region’s economy, this visitor spending generates an annual impact of $32.9 million. The multiplier effect, in essence, represents the recycling of local spending. This recycling process creates new business opportunities.

Direct visitor spending from regular admissions, facility rentals and special events generates $1.3 million in local sales and transient lodging tax revenues and nearly $1 million in state sales taxes each year. Additional revenues are generated indirectly by supported local businesses. These include sales and personal income taxes from employees at supported businesses, as well as sales taxes generated by local business-to-business transactions, and property taxes paid by supported businesses. In total, annual state and local revenue impact is an estimated $4 million.

Results of the survey were announced in front of a gathering of local business and civic leaders just days prior to the Museum’s official 50th anniversary. The 37-acre Museum site was dedicated atop what locals called Persimmon Hill on November 11, 1955. Oklahoma Lt. Governor Mary Fallin presented an official proclamation from the state. The Museum’s Executive Director Charles Schroeder emceed the presentation. Additional remarks were made by Willa Johnson, Oklahoma City councilwoman, Ward 7, and Rhonda Hooper, Executive Committee Vice Chair—Convention & Visitors Bureau, Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce.

In addition to making an economic impact, the Museum is regarded as a cultural gem in central Oklahoma, attracting locals as well as visitors from all states and dozens of countries each year. The Museum preserves and projects America’s heritage with accuracy and vigor so that it will endure for generations. In addition to impressive art and history galleries and manicured gardens, the Museum offers a full slate of educational activities, changing exhibitions and special events.

Editor’s Note: B-roll video is available to accompany this news. Also, media may access reproducible photos of the Museum at www.nationalcowboymuseum.org/mediapics. Click on Museum Images.