…The mineral extraction and tourism industries have driven a wedge between “Old Moab” and “New Moab”, according to Ken Davey, an economic development specialist for the city. Old Moab feels loyalty toward the extractive industries that brought jobs to the area in the past. New Moab is generally made-up of newcomers drawn to the area’s expansive wilderness, and those who make their living in the tourism industry. “There are extremes in both camps, but most people are in the middle,” says Davey.
Today, the two industries each contribute toward the economic well being of the region, but in different ways. A 2011 study by Headwaters Economics shows that tourism and recreation account for 44% of private employment in Grand County [Utah], while drilling and mining represent 3%…