An economic impact study of the Red River Gorge by EKU faculty member Dr. James Maples was the subject of a lengthy article in Climbing Magazine.
As the article points out, Maples' study of spending in the Gorge, published this spring in Journal of Appalachian Studies, indicated that climbers contribute $3.8 million annually to the area economy.
The magazine suggested that new research is helping to change the perception of climbers and grow economic opportunities near the Gorge. The article can be read in its entirety at https://www.climbing.com/news/not-just-dirtbags-the-economic-impact-of-climbers-in-the-red-river-gorge-explained/.
Maples is an assistant professor in EKU's Department of Anthropology, Sociology and Social Work.