Thomas Edison National Historical Park Tourists Create $2.9 Million

A report from the National Park Service shows the Thomas Edison National Historical Park attracted more than 50,000 visitors, who spent millions of dollars in the community.

According to the report, there were 51,345 visitors to the Thomas Edison National Historical Park (NHP) in 2014 who spent $2.9 million in communities near the park. The NHP said the spending supported 38 jobs in the area and contributed a cumulative benefit to the West Orange economy of $4 million.

“Thomas Edison NHPis proud to welcome visitors from across the country and around the world,” Superintendent Thomas E. Ross said in a release from the NHP. “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 it offers.”

The visitor spending analysis was performed by Catherine Cullinana Thomas and Christopher Huber, both U.S. Geological Survey economists, and National Park Service economists Lynne Koontz. The report said $15.7 billion of direct spending by 292.8 million park visitors in communities within 60 miles of a national park. The billions of dollars and millions of visitors supported 277,000 jobs nationally and a cumulative benefit to the national economy of $29.7 billion, according to the release from the NHP.

“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,” Ross said in the release. “We appreciate the partnership and support of our neighbors and are glad to be able to give back by helping to sustain local communities.”

The 2014 report said most park visitor spending was for lodging, followed by food and drink, and gas rounding out the top three.