Armed Occupation Stimulates Economy in Oregon City

Business in Burns, Oregon has been unusually good since a group of armed militiamen took over a nearby federal building.

The standoff between the armed group and authorities has seen flocks of outsiders interested in the story to the town, causing business to jump at local restaurants and hotels in what would normally be a quiet off-season after Christmas, according to Oregon Public Broadcasting.

Armed militiamen started their occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge on Jan. 2, to protest land use by the federal government, and business in the town has been increasing since.

“Sometimes we might only have one person in the house in the winter months — so this is a godsend. It’s like having summer all winter long,” Vickie Allen, manager of the America’s Best Value Inn told OPB.

Occupiers, journalists and local law enforcement have made frequent trips to establishments in the town, without incident, reports OPB. A local gun seller has not, however, seen an increase in business—other than shotgun sales to ranchers, who are dealing with a growing rabbit population.