NATCHEZ — A National Park Service report showed 184,551 visitors came to Natchez National Historical Park in 2012 and spent $9.9 million in the local community.

The spending also supported 138 jobs in the area.

“Natchez National Historical Park is proud to welcome visitors from across the country and around the world to Natchez,” Superintendent Kathleen Jenkins said. “We are delighted to share the story of this town and the experiences at our Natchez Visitor Center, Melrose and the William Johnson House as ways to introduce our visitors to this part of the country and all that it offers.”

Jenkins added national park tourism is a significant driver in the national economy — returning $10 for every $1 of federal taxes invested in the National Park Service.

“It’s a big factor in our local economy, as well,” Jenkins said. “We appreciate the partnership and support of our neighbors and are glad to be able to give back by helping to sustain local communities.”

Historic Natchez Foundation Director Mimi Miller said she relates the NPS to a seal of approval visitors see when they’re deciding where to travel.

“The park service is like the good housing seal of approval because for the National Park Service to put a park somewhere means the place has to have national significance, and travelers know that Natchez is one of those places because (NPS) is here,” Miller said. “Just the fact that they’re here is so important for Natchez.”

Miller said the relationship between HNF, NPS and Mississippi Department of Archives and History makes preserving Natchez’s history that much better.

“Together, we can all do so much more because we all have that relationship together,” Miller said. “They’re just a great resource and a great thing to have in Natchez.”

U.S. Geological Survey economists for the National Park Service conducted the peer-reviewed visitor spending analysis, which was released in February.

The report shows $14.7 billion of direct spending by 283 million park visitors in communities within 60 miles of a national park. This spending supported 243,000 jobs nationally, with 201,000 jobs found in these gateway communities, and had a cumulative benefit to the U.S. economy of $26.75 billion.