NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - A U.S. Department of the Interior report said the agency's activities in Tennessee contributed more than $2 billion to the state's economy last year and supported nearly 17,000 jobs in fields ranging from energy and mineral development to tourism and outdoor recreation.
The report released Monday also highlights the impact of the department's role in land and water management, wildlife management and scientific research and innovation.
According to the report, nearly 9 million people visited national parks and wildlife refuges located in Tennessee last year, supporting 8,242 jobs, while the energy and mineral development sectors overseen by the department supported 7,700 jobs.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
