CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Today, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) highlighted the economic impact resulting from the redesignation of the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. Specifically, the U.S. National Park Service’s (NPS) 2022 National Park Visitor Spending Effects report found that over the past year, the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve generated $96.1 million in economic output and supported 1,044 jobs in West Virginia.

In 2022, over 1.5 million park visitors spent an estimated $79.3 million in local gateway regions while visiting the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, with 88.1% of visitors from out-of-state. In total, West Virginia benefited from $133.8 million in economic output across all NPS units in the state.

"It’s wonderful to see that the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is maintaining the success that we saw immediately following its redesignation in 2020, and that it continues to make a major economic impact in our state. When I began advocating for the redesignation, this was exactly the impact I knew the New River Gorge could make,” Senator Capito said. “This would not be possible without the gracious hospitality and hard work from West Virginians in the gateway communities around the park. From Hinton to Fayetteville, Meadow Bridge and all places in between, residents of the region have been fantastic ambassadors for our state. I look forward to seeing the continued success of the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and the economic ripple effect that it generates.”

BACKGROUND: 

The New River Gorge National Park and Preserve was established through the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve Designation Act, legislation authored by Senator Capito. The legislation, which was signed into law on December 27, 2020, led to the redesignation of the New River Gorge National River as the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. The redesignation has helped promote the beauty and historical significance of the New River Gorge by making the site just the 63rd National Park and 20th National Preserve in the United States, while ensuring that the longstanding traditions of hunting and fishing are protected for generations to come.

Timeline of Senator Capito’s Work since the Resignation of the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve: 

  • May 5, 2021: Senator Capito Unveils New Sign at New River Gorge National Park and Preserve.
  • July 23, 2021: Senator Capito Highlights Impact of New River Gorge Redesignation During State Visits.
  • September 21, 2021: Senator Capito Announces Funding for New River Gorge Regional Development Authority’s WV Hive Network.
  • May 3, 2022: Senator Capito Secures Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) Funding for New River Gorge National Park and Preserve.
  • December 26, 2022: On Second Anniversary of Redesignation, Senator Capito Highlights the Impact of New River Gorge National Park and Preserve.
  • January 4, 2023: Senator Capito Announces CDS Award To Establish Textile Prototyping Lab Through New River Gorge Regional Development Authority.
  • January 17, 2023: Senator Capito Applauds Preserve Expansion of New River Gorge National Park and Preserve at Beury Mountain.
  • April 3, 2023: Senator Capito Announces New River Gorge National Park and Preserve Expansion at Irish Mountain.
  • Senator Capito secured $7,424,198 through eight Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) requests included in the U.S. Senate passed Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 funding bills that would have a direct impact in the New River Gorge region. All Senate passed FY24 CDS awards are subject to approval in the U.S. House of Representatives and will not be awarded unless passed by both chambers and signed into law. 

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