Tourism to Springfield Armory NHS creates $913,600 in Economic Benefit

News Release Date: March 3, 2014

Contact: James Woolsey, [phone]

SPRINGFIELD, MA – A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that 16,978 visitors to Springfield Armory NHS in 2012 spent $913,600 in communities near the park. That spending supported 12 jobs in the local area.

"Springfield Armory NHS is proud to welcome visitors from across the country and around the world," said superintendentJames Woolsey"We are delighted to share the story of this place and the experiences it provides and to use the park as a way to introduce our visitors to this part of the country and all that it offers. National park tourism is a significant driver in the national economy – returning $10 for every $1 invested in the National Park Service - and it's a big factor in our local economy as well. We appreciate the partnership and support of our neighbors and are glad to be able to give back by helping to sustain local communities."

The peer-reviewed visitor spending analysis was conducted by U.S. Geological Survey economists Catherine Cullinane, Thomas and Christopher Huber and Lynne Koontz for the National Park Service. The report shows $14.7 billion of direct spending by 283 million park visitors in communities within 60 miles of a national park. This spending supported 243,000 jobs nationally, with 201,000 jobs found in these gateway communities, and had a cumulative benefit to the U.S. economy of $26.75 billion.

According to the report most visitor spending supports jobs in restaurants, grocery and convenience stores (39 percent), hotels, motels and B&Bs (27 percent), and other amusement and recreation (20 percent).The report includes information for visitor spending at individual parks and by state.

To learn more about national parks inMassachusettsand how the National Park Service works with Massachusetts communities to help preserve local history, conserve the environment, and to provide outdoor recreation, go to www.nps.gov/massachusetts.Please visit the following link for b-roll prepared by the National ParkService: https://www.nps.gov/news/econ_b-roll.htm

The Springfield Armory National Historic Site is the location of the nation's first armory (1794 – 1968) and was established by George Washington. The site includes historic grounds, buildings, and the world's largest historic American military firearms collection. The park is open daily from9am – 5pm. There is ample parking and the building is wheelchair accessible. For further information and weather cancellation call 413-734-8551 or check the website at www.nps.gov/spar or go to our www.facebook.com/sparnhs.