Students and faculty from Appalachian State University’s Department of Economics recently completed an economic impact study of the Blue Ridge Brutal, a long-distance road bike event held annually in the region.
The study was conducted by members of App State’s student chapter of the National Association for Business Economics:
- Jeffrey Blackham, Economics and Supply Chain Management
- Carah Elkins, Accounting
- Ethan Grant, Economics, MBA
- Alex Pecoraro, Economics
The students were advised by Dr. John Whitehead, professor of economics.
The Blue Ridge Brutal begins in Jefferson, North Carolina, the county seat of Ashe County. Riders choose from 25-, 50-, 70- and 100-mile routes; each winding through scenic landscapes of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
According to the students’ report, 330 out-of-town participants contributed $151,000 to Ashe County's economy.
From the report: Considering those participants who traveled from their homes to the Ashe County area and stayed overnight, average total spending was $486 during their stay. The top two categories for expenditures were lodging and restaurant meals. Average lodging expenditures were $308, and average restaurant expenditures were $100. Summing spending in these and other categories over the total number of non-local participants in 2025 yields a total direct spending of $109,000 for the event. Direct spending circulates through the regional economy and generates additional spending through the “multiplier effect.” Using a county-specific input-output model, the total economic impact is $151,000.
About App State’s Center for Economics Research and Policy Analysis (CERPA)
CERPA 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 research. For more information, visit cerpa.appstate.edu.
About App State’s Department of Economics
The Department of Economics at Appalachian State University 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 to energy, environment, 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.
