President Clinton Birthplace Helping Local Economy in Hope

A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that more than 10,000 recreation visitors came through President William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace Home National Historic Site.

These visitors spent an estimated $599,200 in the local community in Hope in Hempstead County, Ark.

“The national parks of Arkansas attract visitors from across the country and around the world”, said NPS Midwest Regional Director Cam Sholly. “Whether they are out for an afternoon, a school field trip, or a month-long family vacation, visitors come to have great experience, and end up spending a little money along the way.”

This new report shows that national park tourism is a significant driver in the national economy - returning $10 for every $1 invested - and funding generated by national parks has a swift and direct positive impact on local economies in Arkansas as well.”

The national parks in Arkansas are:  Arkansas Post National Memorial, Gillett; Buffalo National River, Harrison; Fort Smith National Historic Site, Fort Smith; Hot Springs National Park, Hot Springs; Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site, Little Rock; Pea Ridge National Military Park, Pea Ridge; and President William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace Home National Historic Site, Hope.

The peer-reviewed visitor spending analysis was conducted by U.S. Geological Survey economists Catherine Cullinane Thomas of the U.S. Geological Survey and Lynne Koontz of the National Park Service.  The report shows $16.9 billion of direct spending by 307.2 million park visitors in communities within 60 miles of a national park. This spending supported 295,000 jobs nationally, with 252,000 jobs in these gateway communities, and had a cumulative benefit to the U.S. economy of $32 billion.

According to the 2015 report most visitors was for lodging (31.1percent) followed by food and beverages (20.2 percent), gas and oil (11.8 percent), admissions and fees (10.2 percent) and souvenirs and other expenses (9.8 percent).

To learn more about national parks in Arkansas and how the National Park Service works with Arkansas communities to help preserve local history, conserve the environment, and provide outdoor recreation, go to www.nps.gov/ARKANSAS