Governor Bentley Highlights Gulf State Park Project at 2015 National Governors Association Summer Meeting

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va.– Governor Robert Bentley on Friday highlighted the Gulf State Park Project as an innovative strategy for tourism and economic development at the Summer Meeting of the National Governors Association in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.

“Alabama’s unique strategies to preserve our state’s natural resources, recreational opportunities and historic landmarks will attract new industries while strengthening Alabama’s economy,” Governor Bentley said. “During the joint committee meeting at NGA, I had a special opportunity to showcase what makes Alabama beautiful. I enjoyed sharing our exciting plans for the Gulf State Park Project with other governors.”

Governor Bentley currently serves as vice-chair of NGA’s Economic Development and Commerce Committee which met Friday afternoon.

Governor Bentley presented Alabama’s plans for the Gulf State Park Project and highlighted its benefits for the state’s tourism industry. Cooper Shattuck, Executive Director of Alabama’s Gulf State Park Project, joined Governor Bentley for a roundtable discussion on the project. Governor Bentley’s remarks focused on the state’s efforts to promote tourism and showcase Alabama’s natural resources while expanding economic development in Alabama.

The beaches along Alabama’s Gulf Coast region account for approximately 40% of all tourism throughout the state. The Alabama Department of Tourism estimates that over 24 million people visited Alabama in 2014 and spent more than $11 billion throughout the state. In 2013, the Governor signed Senate Bill 231, which will improve the Gulf State Park. Improvements to Gulf State Park are part of a series of proposed Gulf Coast restoration projects. There are five key components of the Gulf State Park Restoration Project, and they include the following: enhancing the visitor experience, restoring the dunes, building an environmental information center, creating a research and education center and rebuilding a lodge in Gulf State Park that was previously destroyed by a hurricane.