Boy Scouts and Tourism Featured in Gov.'s Business Report - Beckley, Bluefield & Lewisburg News, Weather, Sports

Boy Scouts and Tourism Featured in Gov.'s Business Report

Posted: Updated:
By Douglas Fritz - email

  • Local NewsLocal News

  • Friday, May 24 2013 7:45 PM EDT2013-05-24 23:45:23 GMT
    Freeze warnings will have gardeners and growers scrambling to cover plants Friday night into Saturday morning. Portions of the 59 News viewing area are facing overnight lows in the low 30s according to
    Freeze warnings will have gardeners and growers scrambling to cover plants Friday night into Saturday morning. Portions of the 59 News viewing area are facing overnight lows in the low 30s according to

  • Friday, May 24 2013 6:44 PM EDT2013-05-24 22:44:22 GMT
    On Thursday a bridge collapsed that forced the closure of a major highway north of Seattle. Three people are recovering after their cars plunged 25 feet into the river below. We want to know how safe
    On Thursday a  bridge collapsed that forced the closure of a major highway north of Seattle.

  • Friday, May 24 2013 6:27 PM EDT2013-05-24 22:27:51 GMT
    The Wounded Warrior Project brought veterans to Pipestem Resort State Park Friday so others could honor those who've given everything for the country.  Outdoor channel's Curtis Fleming is no stranger to
    The Wounded Warrior Project brought veterans to Pipestem Resort State Park Friday so others could honor those who've given everything for the country.
    •   

The West Virginia Edge Business Report was released by Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin (D-W.Va.) on Thursday, Nov. 15.  The report documents the state's economic progress and highlights projects from businesses that will assist with the creation of new jobs and the preservation of existing jobs.

In Fayette County the construction of the Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve had a $50 Million economic impact on the state .  According to the report,  $16 million in materials have been purchased in West Virginia.  Of that amount $9 million were bought from businesses in Fayette, Raleigh and Nicholas counties. During the 2013 National Scout Jamboree, 40,000 Scouts and Scouters will travel to West Virginia to attend or staff the week-long event. The Jamboree is scheduled for July 15-24, 2013.

Meanwhile, the study shows Tourism added more than $4 billion to state's economy.  Dean Runyan Associates reported that travel spending in West Virginia was more than $4.27 billion in the 2010 calendar year.  Local and state government revenues generated by travel spending were $582 million in 2010

According to Smith Travel Research, West Virginia outpaced the national average in hotel/motel occupancy in 2011. Average occupancy in the U.S. during this period was 60.1 percent while West Virginia occupancy was 64.3 percent.

The West Virginia Tourism 10 Year Strategic Plan was formally released this October. The report, which provides ideas on how to expand tourism in West Virginia, can be found online at: www.wvtourism.com/reports.