National Parks Added $34.9 Billion To Economy

Above, Lower Yosemite Falls. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Besides preserving our nation's natural wonders, the national parks also contribute to the economy.

The Washington Examiner reported:

National parks are pulling their own weight by raising $34.9 billion in 2016 for the nation's economy, Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke announced Wednesday while pitching the need for much-needed upgrades to support the parks' success. 

That marked a $2.9 billion increase from the previous year, Zinke said in issuing a new economic report to mark National Parks Week. 

The report showed that spending supported 318,000 jobs in 2016, created $12 billion in labor income, $19.9 billion in value-added revenues, and $34.9 billion in economic output to the U.S. economy.

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