Economic Benefits

Date: February 29, 2012
Contact: Tracy Fortmann, Superintendent, 360-816-6205
Contact: Greg Shine, Chief Ranger & Historian, 360-816-6231

VANCOUVER, WA - A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that more than 786,000 visitors in 2010 spent $39.2 million at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site (NHS) and in communities near the park's units in Oregon and Washington State. The impacts of this visitor spending show that Fort Vancouver NHS supported more than 620 jobs in the area in 2010.

"This information clearly illustrates the economic benefit of this national park to our local communities," said Tracy Fortmann, Superintendent of Fort Vancouver NHS. "To know that the park supports 625 local jobs and benefits our local communities to the tune of $39.2 million dollars is extraordinary. If we apply the old adage 'Money talks,' then Fort Vancouver National Historic Site is a screaming success in serving our communities in Washington State and Oregon."   

The figures are based on $12 billion of direct spending by 281 million visitors in 394 national parks and nearby communities and are included in an annual, peer-reviewed, visitor spending analysis conducted by Dr. Daniel Stynes of Michigan State University for the National Park Service.  

Across the U.S, local visitor spending added a total of $31 billion to the national economy and supported more than 258,000 jobs, an increase of $689 million and 11,500 jobs over 2009.   

"As visitation to this park grows, so does the economic benefit to our local communities, especially Vancouver and Oregon City," explained Fortmann.  

To download the report visit https://www.nature.nps.gov/socialscience/products.cfm#MGM and click on Economic Benefits to Local Communities from National Park Visitation and Payroll, 2010. The report includes information for visitor spending at individual parks and by state. For more on how the NPS is working within Oregon and Washington State, go to www.nps.gov/oregon or www.nps.gov/washington .  

Background: Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, a unit of the National Park Service, is the heart of the Vancouver National Historic Reserve. The Vancouver National Historic Reserve brings together a national park, a premier archaeological site, the region's first military post, an international fur trade emporium, one of the oldest operating airfields, the first national historic site west of the Mississippi River, and a waterfront trail and environmental center on the banks of the Columbia River. The partners of the Reserve teach visitors about the fur trade, early military life, natural history, and pioneers in aviation, all within the context of Vancouver's role in regional and national development. The Reserve's vast array of public programs -- including living history events, festivals, cultural demonstrations, exhibits, active archaeology, and other special activities -- create a dynamic, fun, and unique tourist destination for people of all ages. 

-NPS-