North Carolina Transportation Museum Cited for Major Economic Impact.Business Editors SPENCER, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 18, 2003 The North Carolina Transportation Museum The North Carolina Transportation Museum in Spencer, North Carolina, USA is a transportation museum devoted mostly to rail history, but it also contains early forms of North Carolina transportation, antique automobiles, and a few aircraft exhibits. (NCTM NCTM National Council of Teachers of Mathematics NCTM Nationally Certified Teacher of Music NCTM North Carolina Transportation Museum NCTM National Capital Trolley Museum NCTM Nationally Certified in Therapeutic Massage ) is cited as a catalyst for economic and community benefits in a study by the Department of Parks Recreation and Tourism Management at North Carolina State University History
The study praised the NCTM as attracting 100,000-plus annual visitors who stimulate the economy by contributing $2.4 million in annual income, $3.3 million in annual retail spending, and $2.5 million in services purchased in Rowan County each year. The study details the museum's growth as creating a total of 132 jobs. The NCTM is one of 21 case studies included in an informative booklet, "Enhancing America's Communities," recently released by the Federal Highway Administration The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is a division of the United States Department of Transportation that specializes in highway transportation. The agency's major activities are grouped into two "programs," The Federal-aid Highway Program and the Federal Lands Highway . The purpose of the publication is to provide examples of successful enhancement projects in the nation in order to encourage potential applicants. Since 1991, Congress has funded enhancement projects for non-highway projects such as creation of bicycle/pedestrian trails, restoration of railroad stations used by Amtrak Amtrak, the National Railroad Passenger Corp., authorized to operate virtually all intercity passenger railroad routes in the United States. Amtrak was created by Congress in 1970 in response to more than two decades of continuous operating deficits by privately run , and projects to protect the environment. The N.C. Transportation Museum case study is the only transportation museum included. The enhancement program, which is administered by state Departments of Transportation and requires local matches, has allotted al·lot tr.v. al·lot·ted, al·lot·ting, al·lots 1. To parcel out; distribute or apportion: allotting land to homesteaders; allot blame. 2. $5.8 million for the Roundhouse and $6 million for the Back Shop projects. "We are excited about this recognition for our museum," commented Sturges Bryan, president of the NCTM Foundation. "The statistics for our museum demonstrate that the $32 million Back Shop project now underway will have a very significant impact in further strengthening the local and regional economy." "The North Carolina Transportation Museum is an exemplary project, serving as a catalyst for economic and community benefits," says the booklet's editor, Bethaney Bacher, recognizing the NCTM for museum operations, visitation and economic impact. The North Carolina Transportation Museum is located in Spencer, NC south of Greensboro just off I-85 (exit 79). The 57-acre site includes a restored rail station, a restored 37-bay C-shaped Roundhouse with a working turntable. Interactive exhibits, observation areas, and 150,000 square feet of visual exhibits share North Carolina North Carolina, state in the SE United States. It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean (E), South Carolina and Georgia (S), Tennessee (W), and Virginia (N). Facts and Figures Area, 52,586 sq mi (136,198 sq km). Pop. transportation history from dug out canoes to automobiles to working locomotives and passenger cars. |
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