The closure of Six Flags America in Bowie, Maryland, announced on May 1, is a blow to the local economy, particularly for the youth who found employment there. Six Flags President and CEO Richard A. Zimmerman underscored the economic impact of the decision to close, stating, “We have determined that Six Flags America and Hurricane Harbor are not a strategic fit with the company’s long-term growth plan ,” According to Prince George’s County Executive Tara H. Jackson, the park employs approximately 70 full-time workers and provides other valuable job opportunities that support the local economy. County spokesperson Allyson Wilson backed up this claim as well, affirming that roughly $3.5 million in tax revenue is generated by Six Flags for the county’s budget of around $5 billion. Former county council member Derrick Leon Davis claimed that the loss emphasized the evident structural problem in the county’s economy, as its commercial tax base is not profitable enough to appease the escalating tax obligations of residential homeowners.
Council Member Wala Blegay stated that Six Flags is “a critical community partner, employing many of their youth and local residents, and contributing to the local economy.” Blegay added, “they were a big part of hiring the youth during the summertime, and it did keep them off the streets.”
Local leaders were upset about this news. County Council Chair Edward Burroughs III said, “This decision does not just impact one business; it impacts the very fabric of our community.” He also argued that the loss of this local park would strip working-class citizens of the ability to bond with their families in an entertaining setting.
The closing of the Six Flags in Bowie, Maryland, will be heartbreaking for children and families in the area and negatively impact the economy and the working class. This change pressures community members to implement programs at the county level to keep youth employment high. Council members such as Burroughs and Jackson state that they will have to work together to find a solution to this problem and will stay on top of development to make sure they can replace it with a “community-centered development that honors the legacy of this site while creating new opportunities for economic growth, jobs and recreation.” Overall, the closure of Six Flags in Bowie, Md., is a disappointing decision that will significantly alter the fabric of the local community.
