blue ridge parkway economic impact

The Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation has selected Destination by Design of Boone to help create an economic development action plan to benefit the Parkway’s gateway communities in Virginia and North Carolina.

For millions of annual visitors, the Blue Ridge Parkway provides a one-of-a-kind experience with its breathtaking mountain views, miles of trails, diverse wildlife, fascinating historical sites, and enthralling cultural events. That’s why in 2020, it attracted more visitors than any other national park unit.

As the CEO of the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation, never has it been clearer to me the importance of the Blue Ridge Parkway.  The Parkway is so much more than a road. It is one of the most biodiverse places in the temperate world. It is a living history museum protecting and telling the stories of Appalachian culture, music, and life. And as a recent study just reported, it is once again No. 1 in the country as an economic engine for the communities along its corridor.