Haines Economic Development Corporation sent several more critiques to McDowell Group this week on the baseline economic data report as it nears completion on the work.

Board member Sean Gaffney introduced the comments regarding the visitor industry section of the report. He said lodging tax percentages used by McDowell staff were incorrect, and lodging revenues were overstated. He thought the amount of sales tax revenue from tourism outside the townsite was incorrect, and nonprofit income from visitors should be included in sales tax data in the report.

“I don’t want to put things out there where people go, ‘That’s not right,’” Gaffney said. “I think that the net of these changes…put several million dollars more into that visitor industry category that I think rightfully belong there.”

Board member Greg Schlachter said McDowell Group has already provided a margin of error, which Gaffney’s suggested changes would fall within. He said looking back at the group’s original request for proposals, “more due diligence should have been done on the economic drivers in the community,” but HEDC might not have known what to ask for.

Board member Mike Ward said McDowell staff has spent all the time and money they can on this report, and they may feel that Gaffney’s final comments are “splitting hairs.”

“It’s getting to a point where there’s got to be a light at the end of the tunnel on this pretty soon,” Ward said.

Board president Heather Shade said including more information about nonprofits would require McDowell Group to collect additional data, which might be a “hang-up” for the company. She suggested the HEDC board collect that information and offer it to McDowell.

Shade said McDowell Group did send its methodology and assumptions for “collecting tourism-related visitation and spending data to address discrepancies in data” after HEDC requested it last month, and the group thought that document was fair.

The board voted unanimously to ask McDowell Group about the comments and if it would be willing to make changes in the report.

Executive director Margaret Friedenauer said she’s not sure the report will be changed, but the board was “interested in understanding those four concepts as they were in the report.” McDowell Group staff had not responded to the request as of Wednesday. A revised baseline economic data report is available to view at hainesedc.org.

HEDC will have a workshop on July 19 with McDowell Group’s Susan Bell to discuss moving forward with its strategic plan. Friedenauer said the baseline economic data report will be discussed again at the board’s next regular meeting at 3 p.m. Friday, Aug. 3 in the assembly chambers.

“HEDC board of directors is really working hard to maximize the work we’re doing with McDowell. “We’re not rubber stamping anything,” Friedenauer said. “We think we’re getting hard work and value from McDowell’s efforts and will continue to follow through with these two projects until completion and until we’re satisfied with the results. We know McDowell is committed to doing the same in partnership with us.”