Carolina Public Press reports this news from Western Carolina University:
A Western Carolina University economist estimates that the first 10 days of the partial shutdown of the federal government cost more than $33 million in lost visitor spending in the 18 North Carolina and Tennessee counties located within 60 miles of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
The shutdown prompting the closure of popular park campgrounds and visitor centers has resulted in more than $12 million in lost wages for workers, $1.8 million in lost state taxes and $1 million in lost local taxes for municipalities and counties, the WCU study indicates.
Steve Morse, director of WCU’s Hospitality and Tourism Program, shared the results of his analysis of economic impact of the closure of Great Smoky Mountains National Park during a joint legislative luncheon hosted by the Gatlinburg (Tenn.) Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Gatlinburg Hospitality Association on Friday, Oct. 11….
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