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Contact: Dave Carney, 423-569-9778
WARTBURG, Tennessee: A new National Park Service report shows that 565,063 visitors to Obed Wild and Scenic River in 2013 spent $3.3 million in communities near the park. That spending supported 37 jobs in the local area. “The Obed is proud to welcome visitors from across the country and around the world,” said Superintendent Niki Stephanie Nicholas. “We are delighted to share the stories of this place and the experiences available and to use the park as a way to introduce our visitors to this part of the country and all that it offers.” The peer-reviewed visitor spending analysis was conducted by U.S. Geological Survey economists for the National Park Service. The report shows $14.6 billion of direct spending by 273.6 million park visitors in communities within 60 miles of a national park unit. This spending supported more than 237,000 jobs nationally, with more than 197,000 jobs found in these gateway communities, and had a cumulative benefit to the U.S. economy of $26.5 billion. The report includes information for visitor spending at individual parks and by state. To learn more about national parks in Tennessee and how the National Park Service works with communities to help preserve local history, conserve the environment, and provide outdoor recreation, go to www.nps.gov/TENNESSEE. |
Last updated: April 14, 2015