Students in Appalachian State University's student chapter of the National Association for Business Economics (NABE) and faculty in the university's Department of Economics and Center for Economic Research & Policy Analysis (CERPA) have released economic analyses of two popular High Country tourist attractions: the Blue Ridge Guide Association (BRGA) guided trout fishing trips and the Appalachian Theatre.
The student researchers are Jeffrey Blackham, Riley Carroll, Wolfgang Enders, Zechariah Godbold, Abby Gonzalez Zavala, Ethan Grant, Hagen Livingston, Nicolas Mishue, Parker Nevius, Jacob Norwood, and Alex Pecoraro.
Read the Economic Impact Studies
2024 Economic Impact
Jeffrey Blackham, Wolfgang Enders, Abby Gonzalez Zavala, Zechariah Godbold, Ethan Grant, Hagen Livingston, Nicolas Mishue, Parker Nevius, Alex Pecoraro (Ash Morgan)
2025 Economic Impact
Jeffrey Blackham, Riley Carroll, Wolfgang Enders, Zechariah Godbold, Abby Gonzalez Zavala, Ethan Grant, Hagen Livingston, Nicolas Mishue, Parker Nevius, Jacob Norwood, Alex Pecoraro (John Whitehead)
Blue Ridge Guide Association
The BRGA is a nonprofit focused on conserving the South Holston and Watauga rivers. A 2023 survey of 268 anglers found that the average spending per angler per trip was $1,119. Based on an estimated 12,000 annual float trips, total direct spending was approximately $14.6 million. When accounting for indirect and induced effects using an input-output model, total economic activity was estimated at $23.2 million, supporting 215 jobs and $7.7 million in labor income. Most anglers traveled from out of state, stayed overnight, and reported high satisfaction with their trips. For more information, contact John Whitehead, whiteheadjc@appstate.edu.
The Appalachian Theatre
The 1930s-built and 2019-restored Appalachian Theatre serves as a hub for entertainment in Downtown Boone, NC, providing programming options for residents, visitors, and tourists. The researchers used a combination of data, including theater visitation data provided by the Appalachian Theater and primary data on spending patterns from the Center for Economic Research and Policy Analysis (CERPA). The total annual economic impact of the theatre is estimated at $4.9 million in total economic activity, 46 jobs, and $376,000 in tax revenue generated. For more information, contact Ash Morgan, morganoa@appstate.edu.
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 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 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.
Economics students explore the economic impact of popular High Country tourism destinations
App Theatre, BRGA