In January 2008, the Allegheny Musarium™ commissioned the museum and aquarium industries' leading economic and management consulting firm, ConsultEcon, Inc. of Cambridge, MA, to prepare an independent evaluation of the market and operating potential of the proposed Allegheny Musarium' (Musarium) to be located in Starbrick, Pennsylvania. The staff of ConsultEcon, Inc. has conducted over 600 studies including business plans, market and financial feasibility studies, operations analyses, and economic impact studies for existing and proposed museums, aquariums and other visitor attractions. ConsultEcon has worked for an array of existing and planned aquariums and museums both nationally and internationally.

According to ConsultEcon, "The proposed Allegheny Musarium has the potential to be a successful destination attraction that will enhance the Warren area as a place to live, work and play, thus improving all aspects of the local economy and community."

The following is a brief summary of the 100-page report from ConsultEcon, Inc.

The Allegheny Musarium will be a year-round history museum, discovery center and freshwater aquarium that will be enhanced by state-of-the-art high-tech exhibits and that will describe the natural and social history of the Allegheny Plateau region. The project is proposed to be located on a sloped 30-acre site off of Route 6 in Starbrick, PA overlooking the Allegheny River. The proposed Musarium site is along the Pennsylvania Route 6 Heritage Corridor, and is also part of the Pennsylvania Wilds and the Lumber Heritage Region affording opportunities for the Musarium to "link in" to State initiatives and become more involved in the larger community. Overall, the Musarium should strive to be a civic project, embedded in the community, rather than only as a "tourist attraction".

The stabilized annual attendance at the Musarium is estimated with a mid-range annual attendance of 236,000. Based on the analysis in this report, the Musarium has the potential to operate successfully over time, if the assumptions regarding quality of facility development, operations and annual fundraising are met. This project will derive substantial income from tickets, retail, food service, memberships and programs. Many museums and aquariums establish endowments / financial reserves to support their operations. These are essential to providing a predictable source of revenue, and in assuring other funders of the long-term financial viability of the organization.

The operating profile of the facility is similar to many of the comparable institutions, whose operating strategies have been used in preparing the operating plan. Many projects of this type experience an early year surge in attendance and this is also assumed for the Musarium. Diversified and creative sources of revenue and sound fiscal management will assist the Musarium to sustain its operations and provide a valuable center for learning and enjoyment in the Warren area.

The community development and educational benefits of the proposed Allegheny Musarium could have profound and long-lasting impacts on the community. This project will enhance the knowledge of and interest in the natural and social history of the Allegheny Plateau region. It will improve community self-esteem and citizenship. It will be a source of community pride and identity, and would enhance the local tourism economy.