If you build it, they still won't come

I know some folks who absolutely love the Rocky Gap resort. I was a little surprised to read in the Sun that few people actually visit the facility:

Kosicki, an insurance broker who has lived in Timonium for 20 years, was surprised to find only a smattering of people in the upscale restaurant for lunch. Only a few had rented boats or bicycles on a sunny day when the noon temperature hit 75 degrees. The indoor pool was empty, and the fairways on the Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course were surprisingly uncrowded.

"It's very quiet," he said.

Turns out the economics of Rocky Gap are nothing to write home to mom about:

Nearly a decade after opening, the state-supported resort in Allegany County has struggled with operating losses that, while gradually shrinking, totaled $1.1 million last year. It has missed payments to bondholders, and the project's owner, the Maryland Economic Development Corp., is negotiating with them to restructure the debt.

What is worse is that the State of Maryland kicked in $16 million to build this resort. But building this resort helps the local economy, right? Uh, no:

In downtown Cumberland, Vicki Macy said she has gained customers at her dress shop that opened in March from women visiting the resort from Baltimore, Washington, Virginia and states as far away as Michigan and California.

But Phillip Gower, a retired truck driver standing outside a barbershop in Cumberland, said he doesn't believe the resort has had much of an effect on the area's economy beyond the area residents who work there, 175 and 300 depending on the season.

"It's a playground for the political figures down-state," he said.

So, despite the increased sales of a few shops, the most significant impact is the jobs actually created by the resort itself. Even if the 300 jobs lasted all year round, the State has essentially spent over $50,000 per job created by the Park. Additionally, the State is at risk of losing an $8.5 million loan to the developer and $3.1 million worth of ground rents.

I hope those who want to build a horse park in Howard County take note of Rocky Gap. We could have a waste just like this in our own backyard.