US Sen. Warner: Great American Outdoors Act to create more than 18,000 jobs in 2021

Legislation created by Virginia US Sen. Mark Warner is expected to create nearly 19,000 jobs this year.

The Great American Outdoors Act was signed into law in 2020 by former President Donald Trump, which will send more than $1B over five years to national parks and other public lands to address maintenance backlogs. Data released by the US Department of Interior determined the bill will create more jobs than initially estimated.

Over $247M in funding will head to upgrades and repairs to four national park sites in the Commonwealth, including the GW Memorial Parkway ($207.8 million in upgrades); Colonial National Historical Park ($10 million in upgrades); and Skyline Drive ($26.2 million in upgrades), as well as additional repairs at Shenandoah National Park (approximately $3.5 million).

Photo Courtesy: Mark Warner