Hot Springs National Park Closure Will Affect Businesses

The partial federal government affects many communities through the furloughs of hundreds of thousands of government employees.

In Hot Springs, Arkansas, the shutdown has closed the Hot Springs National Park.

"A lot of times they say it is Oaklawn, the racetrack," as the number one tourist attraction in Hot Springs, Mayor Ruth Carney told 710 KEEL. "But, it has been proven that the number one reason why people come to Hot Springs is the national park."

The national park is completely operated by the federal government. No city services are provided to the park and it is technically not within Hot Springs' city limits.

The park brings tourists into town from all over, including right here in Shreveport-Bossier. Among one of the features of park is the natural springs in the city.

"At first, I heard that they were not going to turn off the water," shared Carney. "We have hot water fountains downtown that a lot of people depend on. It's the only water they have been drinking for years."

And it's not just tourist attractions.

"They [the federal government] have closed a main road that goes over a mountain that comes into town from the other side of town," Carney added.

Carney doesn't know exactly what the economic harm will be on her city, but she knows that it will hurt. She also adds that the feds have security still in place at the park.