Aerial view of a small town with commercial buildings, residential houses, parking lots, greenery, and a water tower, with a mountain range in the background.

The Economic Impact of the Trail

In addition to all the expected community benefits the trail will offer, the new analysis estimates the trail will make a huge economic impact.

read the benefit-cost analysis

Every $1.00 invested in the trail will generate $4.20 in new economic activity.

+$35.1M

New annual spending in the region due to visitors to the Shenandoah Rail Trail is projected to be $35 million (in 2025 dollars) per year when the trail is fully opened.

+321 Jobs

The new regional economic activity is expected to generate 321 new jobs.

+$10.6M

The expanded economy will generate substantial new income for business employees, the self-employed and unincorporated businesses.

Tax
Revenue

The expanded economy in the region will generate $2.7 million in additional tax revenue each year for state and local governments.

Attracting Economic Development Opportunities

A fully-connected trail also adds to the enticing local amenities that attract companies seeking to locate in a place that offers a high quality of life to the folks they employ. This means the potential for new job opportunities across a variety of economic sectors.

Silhouette of people engaging in various outdoor activities: jogging, walking a dog, walking, riding a bicycle, and running.
Silhouettes of people engaging in various outdoor activities: jogging, walking a dog, skateboarding, cycling, and running.
A group of four people riding bicycles on a forest trail surrounded by green trees.

It’s time for a Trail that connects more than towns—It connects people.

Virginia’s Shenandoah Rail Trail will connect towns from Broadway to Front Royal with almost 50 miles of trail alongside the North Fork of the Shenandoah River and the Massanutten Mountain range.

Learn More

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