Essex County sees $2.7 million in eclipse economic impact

Apr. 15—LAKE PLACID — The 10,000 visitors who poured into Essex County to see the April 8 eclipse spent $2.7 million, according to the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism here.

Initial reports indicate that the eclipse had a positive impact on businesses throughout Essex, Franklin, and Hamilton counties in the Adirondack region, Mary Jane Lawrence, chief operating officer at ROOST said.

"This is a conservative estimate, which shows significant impact from travel to the region to witness the solar eclipse, representing an estimated $2.2 million increase over the same time period last year," she said in a release.

"This estimate does not include day trippers or those who stayed with family or friends, which we know to be a substantial number of visitors. This will be reflected in the county's sales tax revenue."

Roads out of Lake Placid and other Adirondack communities were clogged with vehicles Monday evening and Tuesday morning as visitors headed home.

One resident said it took four hours to get from Lake Placid to Interstate-87 Exit 30 in North Hudson, normally a 40 minute drive.

The total solar eclipse started around 2:23 p.m. and totality last about three minutes. Most of the North Country was in its swath.

ROOST calculated $2.77 million in estimated direct spend within Essex County during the days immediately leading up to and immediately after, the eclipse.

Its website had 500,000 views of the map of viewing locations like the Olympic Ski Jumps and 65,000 visits to 2024-eclipse.com, the eclipse-focused site.

Overnight visitation was estimated using a 95% occupancy rate at traditional lodging and short-term rental properties in Essex County, at an average daily rate of $258 per night, and an average stay of 2 nights.

The estimate includes in-market activity such as food, attractions, and retail spending based on traveler spend information from the 2023 Essex County Leisure Travel Study report, ROOST said.

The tourism agency reported 700 calls on its eclipse help line.

All agencies and local governments worked together on providing an eclipse experience, Lawrence said.

"The cooperation from all local, county and state governments and agencies contributed greatly to the preparedness and success of the eclipse in the Adirondacks," she said.

In the town of Moriah, Town Supervisor Matthew Brassard had only the weekend before the eclipse to set up facilities for 150 visitors who were arriving via Amtrak at the Port Henry Train Station to see the eclipse.

The Moriah Chamber of Commerce arranged for food vendors and other amenities for the guests.

"I can't thank everyone enough who stepped up in just a few days notice to be able to pull this off for over 150 people getting off that Amtrak," Brassard said.

"Many (visitors) I spoke with said they appreciated the town and its people being so nice and welcoming. They said they would certainly be back."

Witherbee Park near the train station and Port Henry Champ Beach and Terminal Dock on Lake Champlain were the prime viewing areas for the eclipse in Moriah.

Including the train passengers, the town estimated more than 500 visitors were in Moriah to see the eclipse.