…A November study by Headwaters Economics found that non-metro counties in the West with more than 30 percent of federal public land protected as national parks, monuments, wilderness areas and similar designations increased jobs by 345 percent over the last 40 years. Per-capita income in counties with 100,000 acres of protected public lands is on average $4,360 higher than personal income in counties with no protected public lands.

"This study shows that entrepreneurs and America’s most talented workers are choosing to live in places where they can enjoy outdoor recreation and a quality of life," said Ray Rasker, Ph.D., executive director of Headwaters Economics that completed the report. "By highlighting access to national parks, forests, and other public lands, western communities and companies have created new jobs faster than the rest of the U.S."

We thrive as a nation when we recognize that there are some places we need to protect from development for the good of our economy and our communities.…

Author:
Ben Alexander

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