WNC Business reported that the MADE X MTNS (Made By Mountains) partnership recently released results from a Western North Carolina Outdoor Recreation Participation Survey, conducted in part by Appalachian State University's Center for Economic Research & Policy Analysis, which helps determine the economic impact of outdoor recreation participation in the region.
Read the article at wncbusiness.com.
The survey results reflect $4.9 billion in economic output, 48,000 full-time jobs created, and $197.5 million in county-level tax revenues across the region, all generated through outdoor recreation. The survey also focused on the average amount of time and money that visitors spent during visits to the region, as well as popular outdoor recreation activities, including: day hiking, nature viewing, scenic driving, fishing, vehicle camping, motorized boating, backpacking, and mountain biking.
"The researcher-created survey of visitation to the region generates economic modeling and provides a comprehensive analysis of the economic values associated with outdoor recreation across the region that shows demand,” said Center for Economic Research and Policy Analysis Director Ash Morgan. “This unique data is valuable in helping individual counties better understand the economic contribution of their outdoor recreation infrastructure, and can be used to aid future decision making with respect to the potential benefits of investments in future opportunities."
About the Center for Economics Research and Policy Analysis (CERPA)
The Center for Economics Research and Policy Analysis (CERPA) at Appalachian State University enables decision-makers to implement policies that better achieve targeted outcomes by producing research and disseminating information on current economic and policy issues. Housed in the Walker College of Business Department of Economics, CERPA maintains the Appalachian Experimental Economics Laboratory (AppEEL) as part of the experimental economics program and encourages faculty and student student research. For more information, visit cerpa.appstate.edu.
About the Department of Economics at Appalachian State University
The Department of Economics in Appalachian State University's Walker College of Business is an intellectually vibrant place for students and faculty. As a research-intensive department committed to student learning, the department offers a wide range of courses that provide critical-thinking and problem-solving skills, complemented by student-faculty research collaboration. Our faculty members are engaged in research that contributes locally and globally in areas related to energy, environmental, development, trade, health, sports and tourism. The Department of Economics is ranked among the leading U.S. economics departments for research productivity, and is particularly strong in environmental and experimental economics. Learn more at economics.appstate.edu.
In the News: The effects of outdoor recreation on the regional economy
MADE X MTNS (Made By Mountains)