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Abstract
Barrow, Clarke, Jackson, and Oconee Counties compose the Bear Creek Reservoir Region. The green industry in the region is composed of three sectors. Theses sectors are nursery and greenhouse production, landscape services, and retail sales. Purchases of inputs within the region create secondary economic activity, while wages earned by employees lead to spending in all sectors of the economy. Total watering restrictions in the region will limit economic activity that is associated with the green industry. Losses in greenhouse and nursery production lead to a total economic output impact loss of $25.3 million in the regional economy. A total of 231 jobs lost that are related to the production industry lead to a reduction of $12.0 million in wages and benefits. Local governments lose $418,851 in tax revenues due to greenhouse and nursery production declines. Economic output impacts due to declines in landscape services total $39.8 million. Wages and benefits lost are $15.8 million for 584 jobs associated with landscape services. Local governments in the region lose $853,301 in tax revenues due to decreased sales in landscape services. Losses in retail sales of greenhouse and nursery products, as well as related supplies result in $91,824 of lost wages and benefits for 2 jobs, for each $1.0 million of expected retail sales that would occur in normal watering conditions. In addition to the direct sales taxes associated with sales, each $1.0 million of expected retail sales lost leads to a $15,416 decrease of local tax revenues in the region.