"Culture and tourism enhances Connecticut on numerous levels today - creating new industries and jobs and bringing in revenue to the state, and also enriching our lives and the overall quality of life in our state," said Governor M. Jodi Rell. "Connecticut is committed to ongoing investment in the arts, history, film and tourism as we constantly strive for ways to improve our economy and the state and local levels. Today's report confirms that we are not only on the right track, but on target for better and better results." researched and compiled by the Connecticut Center for Economic Analysis (CCEA), "The Economic Impact of the Arts, Film, History and Tourism Industries in Connecticut" finds that in 2004 these industries together generated more than $9 billion in personal income for state residents and more than $1.7 billion in state and local revenue. Direct, indirect and induced spending related to culture and tourism account for 7.6 percent of the gross state product and 6.9 percent of state and local revenue.
Without the culture and tourism industry, the state's unemployment level would increase from its 2004 level of 4.43 percent to 14 percent. And as a result of culture and tourism's contribution to Connecticut's economy, each household saves $196 in taxes each year. "This study demonstrates thatConnecticut's return on investment in culture and tourism is
profound," said Jennifer Aniskovich, Executive Director of the Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism. "To distinguish itself as a sought-after destination, exceptional place to do business and an enviable place to call home, our state must continue this investment." Stan McMillen, Ph.D., associate director of CCEA and the study's principal investigator, said the study calculates that every dollar appropriated to CCT returns $9.30 in net state and local revenue; $507 in gross state product; and $328 in personal income. "Culture and tourism not only creates jobs, but supports industries that would not otherwise exist," McMillen said.

The total economic impact of Connecticut's culture and tourism industry (171,023 direct, indirect and induced jobs) exceeds the combined economic impact of than the state's aerospace industry (94,812 direct, indirect and induced jobs) and pharmaceutical industry (26,321 direct, indirect and induced jobs). The culture and tourism industry also accounts for significantly more gross state product ($14 billion) than either the aerospace ($11 billion) or pharmaceutical ($3.9 billion) industries.

About:The Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism (CCT) was created in 2003 in order to take advantage of the opportunities for collaboration, coordination and growth in the arts, historic preservation, tourism and film. CCT operates as a grant making agency and the entity charged with promoting Connecticut to travelers. CCT devotes its resources to serving Connecticut's assets and individuals through funding, technical assistance, and promotion. The Arts  Division develops and strengthens the arts in Connecticut and make artistic experiences widely available to residents and visitors. Through its grant programs, the division invests in Connecticut artists and arts organizations and encourages the public's participation as creators, learners, supporters and audience members. Through its programs and services, the division connects people to the arts and helps to build vital communities across the state.