Szanton “like Economic engines”

Nathan Szanton developing 72 affordable housing units in Lewiston referred to them as “72 little economic engines.” Of course he is on to something extrapolating that once his company gets a once empty mill up and running 72 households and their disposable income will act as a “shot in the arm” for local spending. 
Consider Portland’s locally owned and managed short term rentals economic engines driving in fifth gear! Our survey of guests staying in a one bedroom in June at a room rate of $179 a night shows the ripple affect of

$179 rental,    $59 discretionary local spending.        $93 Local eateries

Thats a combined total of $331. In addition we collect $50 cleaning fee which goes directly to a local cleaning company  (now we are up to $381) .  It’s common for all 400 locally owned units to be sold out every night in June creating a multiplier affect of  $132,400 a night or almost 4 MILLION for the month of June. That’s not a little economic engine. That’s damn incredible for the local economy! This number is remarkably conservative as it comes from a small one bedroom unit survey limited to two guests. We all know many larger units host 4 or more guests. The true number could be a TEN MILLION economic “ shot in the arm” in June.