Rock climbing and other outdoor recreation can bring more money to Eastern Kentucky, researcher says - Entrepreneur Generations

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Eastern Kentucky is known for coal production, but outdoor recreation is becoming an important part of the regional economy. It can become even bigger if local, regional and state lawmakers can be convinced that preserving the environment will yield big bucks in tourism, contributing columnist Tom Martin writes for the Lexington Herald-Leader.

James Maple, an associate professor of sociology at Eastern Kentucky University who has done the bulk of his research on the economic impact of outdoor recreation, said that rock climbing can become a major source of regional income. Red River Gorge in Eastern Kentucky is a world-famous mecca for rock climbers thanks to its honeycombed sandstone cliffs. A study he conducted found that rock climbers spend $3.8 million a year in the Gorge area, which has six of the poorest counties in the country.

But some Eastern Kentucky residents worry that bringing too many tourists to the area might turn it into "the next Dollywood," Maple said. He understands that concern, as a native of rural East Tennessee. But rock climbers don't want the Gorge to be overdeveloped either.

"The balance is really all about finding the ways to preserve these outdoor recreation areas," Maple said. "We have to think of them as a resource that can be damaged by overdevelopment. If we try to put too many outdoor recreation users into a space and it’s not made sustainable, then we can lose those places and those economic resources. On the flipside if we can get good policy to make sure these places aren’t overdeveloped and are carefully maintained, then it can be not only a healthy part of our economy, but a healthy part of our community."

from The Rural Blog https://ift.tt/2OuBDbD Rock climbing and other outdoor recreation can bring more money to Eastern Kentucky, researcher says - Entrepreneur Generations

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