I came this close (thumb and forefinger about an inch apart) to saying "utility":
[Gov. Bev] Perdue called for closing state parks two days a week to help close a $2.4 billion budget gap.
But the idea is worrying some in the tourism industry in Western North Carolina, which is home to Mount Mitchell State Park, Chimney Rock State Park, Grandfather Mountain State Park, Lake James State Park and Gorges State Park.
The governor's proposal would reduce funding to the state division of parks and recreation by 10 percent, or more than $3 million, but avoid cutting permanent staff at North Carolina's 39 state parks and recreation areas. ...
State parks have an economic impact of more than $400 million annually, according to an analysis by N.C. State University's Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management. ...
Despite concerns by some tourism officials, closing state parks two days a week will likely have little effect on the local economy, said John Whitehead, chairman of the economics department at Appalachian State University.He said tourists will plan trips around the closures and visitation may even itself out on other days. He said state parks are mainly visited by locals, and people will find other activities to do if state parks are closed, like going to the movies or bowling, so they will still be spending money.
“The problem is that the things that people find to do won't be as fun, won't be as attractive,” Whitehead said. “While there won't be a spending impact, there could be an impact to people's happiness levels. There are substitutes for spending, but the substitutes aren't great in terms of what we really like to do.”
