The Jim Thorpe Tourism Agency recently released results of its 2025 Business Survey, showing that member businesses generate most of their revenue from visitors while reinvesting heavily in the local economy.

According to the survey, which was distributed in May and collected responses from 55 businesses, an average of 80% of business comes from visitors traveling more than 10 miles, while 20% comes from local customers. Nearly all of the businesses that responded are located in the 18229 zip code, the report said.

The survey found that JTTA businesses employ about 1,000 local workers, including approximately 350 year-round employees and 650 seasonal staff. Results also showed that $840,000 a year is spent locally by these businesses, with about half of their average expenditures on raw materials, products, supplies, contractors and vendors going to companies in Carbon County.

“All these businesses report supporting local nonprofits and charities, 80% sponsor local events, and 50% promote cultural heritage of the area through their work,” the report said.

JTTA Board Chair James Dougher said in a press release that the results highlight the central role tourism businesses play in Jim Thorpe’s success.

“The results confirm what many already know: JTTA businesses are the engine that drives Jim Thorpe’s success, fueling both tourism growth and local prosperity,” Dougher stated.

The release noted that JTTA members not only provide jobs but also “enrich the community in countless ways — from supporting nonprofits and sponsoring local events to preserving and promoting the unique cultural heritage that makes Jim Thorpe so distinctive.”

While economic impact was emphasized, business challenges were also identified. Parking was named the top concern, with 85% of respondents saying it posed a moderate to severe threat to their operations. Affordable housing and parking for workers, along with finding employees with the right experience and availability, were also listed as challenges. The report cited a lack of service for public trash receptacles as another issue, saying it “contributes to litter and negatively impacts the appearance of the business district.”

Members responding to the survey said they want a stronger and more productive relationship with borough government to help create a better business environment.

The report also highlighted JTTA’s ongoing initiatives. JimThorpe.org lists all JTTA businesses, events and visitor information, while a walking map is developed and distributed each year. The Visit Jim Thorpe app has nearly 23,000 downloads and was opened about 2,600 times in July. Visit Jim Thorpe’s social media platforms reach 55,000 followers on Facebook and 17,000 on Instagram.

Event coordination is another role taken on by the agency. JTTA organizes the Fall Foliage Festival, coordinating parking, shuttles, traffic support, restrooms, vendors and music. It also runs two winter festivals, Old Time Christmas and Winterfest, and decorates Josiah White Park. In addition, the agency coordinates and funds the annual Jim Thorpe Birthday Celebration and provides a yearly high school scholarship.

“With nearly all of these businesses operating in Jim Thorpe, collectively they bring visitors from across the region and beyond, while reinvesting heavily in the local economy through spending with local vendors, employing nearly one thousand residents, and sustaining year-round and seasonal jobs,” Dougher wrote in the press release.

He added that the organization looks forward to continuing collaboration with local partners.

“Their success is directly tied to the vitality of our community, and continued collaboration will only strengthen these outcomes. We look forward to building on these results through a strong and lasting partnership with the Borough of Jim Thorpe, the county, and all our community stakeholders as we work together to ensure a thriving future for local businesses and residents alike.”