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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) today released a video message ahead of the second anniversary of New River Gorge’s establishment as a National Park and Preserve on December 27.

In 2020, Senator Capito fought for the inclusion of the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve Designation Act—legislation she authored that redesignated the New River Gorge National River as the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve—in the year-end legislative package. The legislation was signed into law on December 27, 2020

In June of this year, the U.S. National Park Service’s (NPS) 2021 National Park Visitor Spending Effects report found that since the redesignation, visitor spending in communities near the Park and Preserve resulted in a $35.2 million benefit to the state’s economy and supported 1,090 jobs in West Virginia.

In 2021, nearly 1.7 million park visitors spent an estimated $82.6 million in local gateway regions while visiting the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, with 88.1% of visitors from out-of-state.

Full video transcript included below:

“Can you believe that it’s already been two years since our very own New River Gorge became our nation’s 63rd National Park and 20th National Preserve?

“Since the redesignation, visitor spending in communities near the Park and Preserve has resulted in a $35.2 million benefit to the state’s economy, and supported more than one thousand jobs in West Virginia.

“People from across the country and around the world have come and seen first-hand what West Virginia is all about, and they are realizing that it is the hidden gem we knew about all along.

“The good news is, we are just getting started.

“Making sure The Gorge has the resources that they need, as well as support on the ground to thrive will always be a priority for me. That’s because its success is central to our efforts to grow the tourism industry in our state. 

“The people of Fayetteville have been fantastic ambassadors for West Virginia – and I can’t wait to see the further growth and progress we accomplish together over the next year.

“If you haven’t visited New River Gorge yet, I encourage you to make a resolution as we begin 2023. Come out and see us in Wild and Wonderful West Virginia.”

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