BEA produces income and product statistics for regional geographies, including areas defined by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) as coastal. Income and product statistics are available in Interactive Tables for coastal counties and states.
BEA released in June 2022 updated statistics measuring the ocean economy's contribution to U.S. GDP. Economic activity from commercial fishing, shipbuilding, seaports, beachfront hotels, and other ocean-dependent activities are captured in these statistics.
Regional Input-Output Modeling System (RIMS II)
BEA's Regional Input-Output Modeling System, known as RIMS II, is a valuable tool for understanding the importance of the oceans and the Great Lakes to regional economies. RIMS II can assist public and private decision-makers by identifying the most effective ways to leverage the resources that the oceans and the Great Lakes provide, as well as identifying alternative uses of these natural assets. For instance, RIMS II can be used to compare the economic impact of infrastructure projects to improve beach access, estimate the impacts associated with increases in tourism and retail sales, and estimate the contribution of maritime industries to a regional economy.
The RIMS II model is customized for each customer's needs, and its output is available from BEA for a small processing fee. More information is available on the RIMS II website.