Gulf State Region Corvette Caravan Brakes for Athens’ Eateries

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact:

Cayce Lee

Social Media Specialist

Athens-Limestone Co Tourism Assn.

Cayce@VisitAthensAL.com

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Gulf State Region Corvette Caravan
Brakes for Athens’ Eateries 

 

Athens, AL – Gulf State Region Corvette Caravan of shining, pristine Corvettes are not a stranger to Athens. However, you may not recognized them since the last time they rolled up Interstate 65 five years ago in 2009 with only 75 cars lined up. This group of enthusiast makes the long haul from all over the Gulf – Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and Florida – for the pilgrimage starting in Mobile, Alabama to the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, KY.

This time is a little different though. Caravan organizer, Glen Johnson, made a dry run up Interstate 65 looking for a place to accommodate the over 200 Corvettes for a lunch break in their tight itinerary. Athens’ EXIT 351 won the considerations after he discovered the Athens-Limestone Boulevard area with Ruby Tuesday’s, Logan’s Roadhouse, Applebee’s, IHOP and many other eateries..

Glen Johnson offers these words of appreciation and invitation to the Athens-Limestone community, “The 2014 Gulf States Region Corvette Caravan will consist of over 260 Corvette caravanning to Bowling Green, KY to celebrate the 20^th Anniversary of the opening of the National Corvette Museum. We are thrilled that Athens has invited us to stop and have lunch in a City that has always supported Corvette enthusiast. We invite everyone to come out and see the Corvettes and talk to the owners about the car they dearly love. We thank the City of Athens, AL for being so gracious in allowing us to stop in the city, and we thank the Athens Police Department for escorting the caravan into and out of the city in a safe manner ensuring the safety of our caravaner’s and the citizens of Athens. Thank you all so very much and we look forward to spending time with you.”

If you would to see the over 260 Corvette’s roll into Athens, they estimate their arrival at EXIT 351 at 10:45a.m this Wednesday, August 27. Their plans are to park and dine in the Athens-Limestone Boulevard area and adjacent properties. They will then be departing for points north at 12:00p.m. To learn more about the Corvette Caravan: www.nationalcorvettecaravan.com. For more information about the museum and events: www.corvettemuseum.org
 

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State Parks Give Alabama $375 Million Boost

 

State Parks Give Alabama $375 Million Boost

PRESS RELEASE



MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Alabama's 22 state parks aren't just nice places to visit. They are also big contributors to the state's economy, a new study finds.

Visitors to Alabama's 22 state parks in 2011 spent an estimated $152.4 million, according to the analysis by professors at the University of Alabama. Visitors' spending along with expenditures by the parks system had a total economic impact of $375 million and supported 5,340 jobs, say Samuel Addy and Ahmad Ijaz of the Center for Business and Economic Research at the University of Alabama's Culverhouse College of Commerce.

The State Parks Division of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources commissioned the study. This year marks the 75th anniversary of Alabama's parks system. In 2012, state parks recorded more than 4.6 million visits.

"This study confirms what we who work in the parks system already know – that state parks are valuable tools to promote the state's economy," said Greg Lein, Alabama State Parks Director. "But the study give us real numbers for state parks' overall economic impact and the many public and private jobs that depend on them."

The economic impact of state parks compares favorable to that of national parks in the state. A recent report by the National Park Service said visitors to the seven national parks in Alabama spent $26.5 million in 2012 and their spending supported 381 jobs.

Lein points out that state parks must generate through user fees the vast majority of the money that pays for their operations.

"Our slogan is ‘Partners Pay the Way.' But it's more than a slogan. We really do rely heavily on our customers – campers, boaters, fishermen, bikers, golfers, etc. – to pay the bills. We want them to know their dollars count in the parks and in the state's economy."

The $375 million economic impact computed by Addy and Ijaz includes $140 million in earnings for thousands of people in various segments of the work force. State parks generate $10.9 million in state and local taxes, according to the report.

Lein went on to say that the report was an initial study that he hoped could be expanded in 2015 to include a survey of park guests to better understand their spending outside of the park.
The Alabama Tourism Department has named 2014 "Year of the Parks." From the beaches of the Gulf Coast to the Appalachian foothills, Alabama State Parks reflect every facet of the state's rich natural landscape.

Throughout this anniversary year, Alabama's 22 state parks will host a variety of hikes, nature walks and programs, dining and camping specials and various other events highlighting 75 years of service to the people of Alabama.

(SOURCE: ALABAMA STATE PARKS)