ORR Brings National Attention to the Outdoor Recreation Industry

Outdoor Recreation’s Economic Impact

The ORR works to highlight the outdoor recreation’s economic impact. As a direct result of ORR’s efforts, The Bureau of Economic Analysis included the outdoor-recreation industry in its U.S. gross domestic product calculations for the first time in history. The BEA’s report, issued in February 2018, found that the outdoor-recreation sector makes up 2 percent of the U.S. GDP and accounts for $673 billion in annual gross domestic output. This impact exceeds that of crucial U.S. industries such as agriculture, computer manufacturing, and coal and petroleum.

Shortly after, Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and the Joint Economic Committee Democrats released a report, Investing in Rural America, which emphasizes the importance of outdoor recreation to the growth and economic health of rural America. The report concludes that 46 million rural residents – 14 percent of the total U.S. population – help the overall economy by starting new businesses and supplying many agricultural products. For further evidence, the Outdoor Industry Association found the outdoor recreation economy generates 7.6 million American jobs, $877 billion in consumer spending annually and $65.3 billion in federal tax revenue annually. View the OIA’s findings here.

These statistics help the ORR, its roundtable members and their industry businesses fight for the administration’s support, funding and attention.

Governments Hire Recreational Specialists

With ORR’s support and guidance, Ryan Zinke, secretary of the U.S. Interior Department, hired the nation’s first recreation czar in November. As a senior adviser to Secretary Zinke, Rick May – a lifelong bowhunter, five-time state champion archer, and former Navy Seal captain – is focused on promoting and improving outdoor recreational activities.

At the prodding of Zinke and May, many states, such as Utah, Colorado, Vermont, Montana and Washington, have jumped on the bandwagon to hire recreation czars to ensure the quality, dimension and sustainability of outdoor recreation in their state. The Interior Department believes outdoor recreation offices are critical liaisons with federal agencies and hopes to have recreation specialists advise governors in all 50 states.