What Economic Impact and Return on Investment Will the Museum Generate?

The proposed I AM Children's Museum is envisioned as a destination quality cultural and educational attraction that will strengthen Orange County's family tourism offerings while generating measurable economic benefits for residents, businesses, and visitors.

The museum's approved opening year operating model assumes 250,000 annual visits, including:

100,000 Orange County resident visits

50,000 regional day visits

100,000 overnight visitor visits

Under this visitor origin model, 60% of annual visitation is expected to come from outside Orange County, including regional day visitors and overnight travelers.

At 250,000 annual visits, the museum is estimated to generate approximately:

$44.9 million in annual regional economic activity

48,000 attributable hotel room nights

$9.74 million in attributable gross hotel revenue

$584,640 in estimated annual Tourism Development Tax revenue

Approximately 113 permanent direct, indirect, and induced jobs

Approximately $7.2 million in annual payroll supported

Under the 500,000 visit long term growth scenario, the project is estimated to generate approximately:

$95.7 million in annual regional economic activity

108,000 attributable hotel room nights

$21.92 million in attributable gross hotel revenue

$1.32 million in estimated annual Tourism Development Tax revenue

Approximately 225 permanent direct, indirect, and induced jobs

Approximately $14.5 million in annual payroll supported

All hotel revenue and Tourism Development Tax estimates use a fixed ADR of $203.

These projections demonstrate the museum's ability to generate recurring tourism activity, strengthen Orange County's family destination portfolio, support local employment, and create sustained economic value from a one time public capital investment.