Greg Gerber posted on March 10, 2010 14:55
PRESCOTT, Ariz. -- Keeping state parks open will boost tourism, bolstering business at local restaurants, hotels and other enterprises, Yavapai County Supervisors Chairman Chip Davis told the Daily Courier.
Because of the advantages to the local economy, Davis drafted plan that would give the State of Arizona more than $135,000 county park money for three years to keep three state parks in the region open.
After cutting 61 percent of the state parks' budget in January, the state closed nearly two-thirds of its state parks. Even though state parks officials admit the parks generate $266 million for rural Arizona, attracting about 2.3 million visitors annually and keeping 3,000 people employed, it wasn't enough to overcome the political posturing involved in passing a balanced budget.
In return for its investment of $307,000 to keep the parks open, Ellen Bilbrey, a spokeswoman for the Arizona state parks, said the county will likely see economic impact of $37 million, the paper.
To read the complete story in the Prescott Daily Courier, click here.