A new report highlights the economic impact of the National Park Service is this area. 

A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that 1.3 million visitors to Ozark National Scenic Riverways in 2018 spent $55.4 million in communities near the park. That spending supported 840 jobs in the local area and had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $60 million.
 

 “Ozark National Scenic Riverways welcomes visitors from across the country and around the world,” said Superintendent Larry Johnson. “We are delighted to share the story of this place and the experiences it provides. We also feature the park as a way to introduce our visitors to this part of the country and all that it offers. National park tourism is a significant driver in the national economy, returning $10 for every $1 invested in the National Park Service, and it’s a big factor in our local economy as well. We appreciate the partnership and support of our neighbors and are glad to be able to give back by helping to sustain local communities. After the devastating flood of 2017, visitor spending in local communities was noticeably lower than previous years. In 2018, we saw an increase in park visitation and were happy to see local communities recovering economically from the flood.”       

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