How Will ATV/UTV Traffic Help The Local Economy?

Saint Germain, Wisconsin ATVing, how's the Progress Going?

As of right now the local ATV club in Saint Germain WI is making great strides to make it happen. Make what happen? That you'll be riding your ATV or UTV machines for certain again this summer with new trails and access points to get to the trail system.

However, the key words here is "patience"!

Last season all of the town roads, and accesses, were marked, as to where sign placements would be. The local utility locator company had been out and about, marking the underground facility locations in order to allow the post placements to be pounded into the ground without hitting any phone, electric, gas or cable lines. Once this was fully completed the new signs were attached to the posts, and temporarily covered up, until a complete safety inspection was made by the County representatives. As soon as that was done the signs were revealed, and there was an official opening of the trails. This spring the ATV club needs to get the new signs in place for the Ross Lake Road route, and start placing them on the new posts. There are also County signs that need to be placed in certain areas also. Those are the large yellow signs on the wooden posts.

There will be a formal ribbon cutting ceremony be done at an access point on Ross Lake Road at the County Highway C junction this spring. Hopefully we will have many ATVs and UTVs present, so that as soon as the ribbon is cut, they can all proceed on down the new trail system. Representatives from the Town, the Chamber, the St. Germain ATV club and all of the hard-working volunteers, and interested parties will be there along with Newspaper, TV and Radio news coverage to get the word out that Saint Germain ATVing is "Open for Business".

And speaking of business. Did you know that because the town of Saint Germain, WI had the courage to pass an ordinance allowing ATVs on town roads, and to help make this happen, that ATV sports enthusiasts will be able to drive from towns like Arbor Vitae, Minocqua, Eagle River, Woodruff, and more? They will be all interconnected to explore and enjoy? All of our local businesses will be the economic impact recipients, as well as the ATV sports enthusiast.  Whether it be for food or drink, camping, lodging, shopping, etc. These businesses will all now be easily accessible by ATV/UTV vehicles and sports enthusiasts.

Unfortunately, there will be some very nice businesses that will lose out. They would be located in the towns of Sayner, Star Lake and Plum Lake.

Because they do not have an ATV ordinance, there will be no way to access their local businesses by ATV or UTV. These are businesses that we all would like to get to but can't. They will not get to enjoy the increased revenues that ATV/UTV enthusiasts will bring along with them.

However, this is a good thing for the Town of St. Germain, because this also means that St. Germain businesses will certainly see an increase in sales from those ATV/UTV folks who just want to take a leisurely early evening ride to grab a couple scoops of their favorites.

Then again, there are many small lakes and streams where you'd like to get access to, by using your ATV/UTV, but you won't be able to if they are in the confines of those non-friendly towns. You won't be able to buy bait locally in those areas, and will have to carry it in from afar, because you can't get to those bait and tackle shops.That will be a plus for shops in Saint Germain.

The funny part is, in all of this, is the fear that the board of directors of these towns have of ATVs and UTVs is so unrealistic it is actually hilarious. It would appear that because they are misinformed, and living in the dark ages of recreational ATVs, and their perception of what this sport is all about, that they will be the cause of their local businesses being the real economic losers. Perhaps Sayner and Star Lake should secede from the town of Plum Lake who only has their own agenda and is not helping their local economy grow.

There are folks who say they will not support those Sayner, Star Lake, and Plum Lake businesses because they are against ATVing in those towns. And they are not only talking about just during the ATV season. They are now talking about during the Snowmobile season as well.

Why go there when the Town of St. Germain has everything the ATVer would need, from food and lodging, to fishing and hunting, and sightseeing and more. St. Germain has many fine establishments that are much easier to get to than going to a Plum Lake town by car? In the future, it won't be long before you'll be able to ride an ATV/UTV from Rhinelander all the way to Michigan. It's just a matter of time as the sport grows.

Need gas? There is the St. Germain Sports, the Mobile gas station, and the Shell station to fuel up at.

Need Lodging? There are many many fine motels and resorts that will accommodate your needs and desires, all within the confines of beautiful Saint Germain and easily accessible via ATV/UTV or auto.

The bottom line here is that the towns of Plum Lake, Star Lake and Plum Lake, businesses are held hostage by a very stubborn town chairman who needs to be replaced. He is only hurting the town's local economy because he has blinders on. Perhaps the town's voters will recognize this and make changes in the next election.

Not long ago, a very prominent business leader in the town of St. Germain stood up before the town board at one of the meetings, when St. Germain was considering opening all of their local roads to ATV traffic, and said "We look to the town of Plum Lake and whatever they do, we do the opposite!" That philosophy has proven very successful for the town of St. Germain.

If the town of Plum Lake does not support your chosen sport, then why would you even want to consider supporting them? The local business establishments of these towns need to put pressure on their town board to get their heads above water and get an ordinance in place to allow these vehicles on their town roads or trails. Agree or disagree, let your thoughts be known? It's about time someone spoke up, and spoke out loud and delivered a message to the town Chairman of Plum Lake that he needs to get out of the dark ages and help his towns businesses and their local economy!