“Much of the Blue Ridge Parkway’s history relates back to its important role as an economic engine for this region,” parkway superintendent J.D. Lee said, according to a news release. “The 2018 visitor spending impacts remind us all of the important relationship between this park and our neighboring communities. The Blue Ridge experience is not complete without some time spent in one or more of the many towns and cities near the parkway.”

Nationally, the survey found that 318 million park visitors spent an estimated $20.2 billion in communities and regions near national parks. That spending supported 329,000 jobs, $13.6 billion in labor income and $40.1 billion in economic output. That marked an increase of $4.3 billion in total economic impact from 2017.

Elsewhere in Virginia, the Booker T. Washington National Monument in Franklin County brought in $1.3 million in spending and $1.7 million in economic output, amounts that were down a bit from 2017. The park supported 19 jobs, down from 22 the year before, according to the survey.