Consider this: Eastern States Exposition (ESE) attracts more than 2.5 million people to its 120 year-round events including 1.4 million visitors to the 17-day Big E, the fifth largest fair in North America. Think of it as a pollination extravaganza of education and entertainment. People see, hear, taste, touch – then take those experiences home.

The 175-acre ESE fairgrounds in West Springfield, Mass., is home to more than 100 shows and events including The Big E, the largest fair in the Northeast, as well as Storrowton Village Museum and Storrowton Tavern, open year-round. Founded in 1916, the not-for-profit agricultural and educational institution has a corporate mission “committed to excellence in providing year-round opportunities for the development and promotion of agriculture, education, industry and family entertainment while preserving our New England heritage.”

In a new study conducted by Regional Economic Models, Inc., (REMI) of Amherst, Mass., the overall economic impact of ESE is $479 million with a gross regional product (similar to a national gross domestic product) of more than $299 million a year. The announcement was made at a press conference prior to the annual meeting of the exposition’s 258 trustees.

Simply put, money spent is like fertilizer on the fields of a community, town, city, region – feeding businesses and people who provide support, jobs, education in the form of entertainment – all enriching the quality of life. There may be no way to quantify the contribution of “ambassadors” who spread good will for the event, their states, businesses, and/or agricultural pursuits. A hidden educational component is also not trackable as it is stored in memories . . . and smiles.

The REMI analysis includes the exposition’s impact on New England and New York. Regional employment totaled 2,000 jobs generating $134 million in personal income. Also, $1.4 million to the Massachusetts sales tax revenues; $427,000 in hotel tax revenue; $3 million, income tax revenue; $3.3 million, food and beverage tax revenue; 4.9% of all Hampden County performing arts and spectator sports spending; 11.5% of annual accommodations/food services/drinking establishments sales.

In 2013, the exposition paid $1.3 million to the town of West Springfield, including $354,971 in real estate taxes and $200,431, or 1 percent of the ESE’s 2012 gross revenues to The Big E/West Springfield Trust Fund, established in 1994 to benefit the town’s education, youth and elderly programs as well as community projects. To date, contributions including the 2014 donation of $211,704, bring the fund total to $3,094,069.

During the annual Big E, there is a Military Appreciation Day, one dedicated to each New England state; salutes to the surrounding cities, the Grange, Harvest New England, and Special Olympics.

“The mix of a variety of events year-round and the entertainment, agriculture, and culture of New England at The Big E, make our venue an attractive destination that, in turn, translates to important economic dollars for our region,” according to Eugene Cassidy, ESE president.

The exposition receives no state or federal tax revenue to support its operations.

The ESE and the New England Sheep and Wool Growers Association founded and now co-produce the annual Fiber Festival of New England in November.

A special committee appointed by ESE trustees awards the Eastern States Exposition Agricultural Adventurers Award to outstanding leaders in New England agriculture based on innovation, pioneering and lifetime dedication to the betterment of agriculture. Recipients have made significant contributions to New England agriculture.

REMI constructs models to reveal economic effects that policy initiatives or external events may cause in the local economy. The company’s client list includes the AARP, Los Angeles World Airports, New York City Economic Development Corporation, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston Redevelopment Authority, the University of Connecticut and others.