National Parks Help Southern West Virginia Economy

A new report shows the national parks in West Virginia drew 1.7 million visitors last year. The National Park Service report said visitors to the state’s national parks in 2017 spent $72.8 million in nearby communities, resulting in economic output totaling $84 million. The spending supported 1,080 jobs and $28.8 million in labor income. The National Parks of Southern West Virginia brought 1.3 million of the visitors, who spent $56 million in the region. New River Gorge National River, Bluestone National Scenic River and Gauley River National Recreation Area span four counties: Fayette, Nicholas, Raleigh and Summers.