Vermont Business Magazine Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) today released its Outdoor Recreation Economy report for Vermont, the first report of its kind that comprehensively captures the power of a vast multi-billion dollar economic engine in communities and across the nation. Every year, Vermont residents alone spend $1.51 billion on outdoor recreation, and at least 128 outdoor companies call the district home. Including the vast number of tourists coming to the state, Vermont’s outdoor recreation economy generates $5.5 billion in annual consumer spending and supports 51,000 jobs. The report states that the industry provides $1.5 billion in wages and $505 million in state and local tax revenue.
The report comes as OIA releases Outdoor Recreation Economy reports for all 435 congressional districts for the first time, showing that from rural towns to the most densely populated cities, outdoor recreation is a vital economic force that not only creates billions in spending and millions of good-paying American jobs, but it also creates healthier communities, healthier economies and healthier people.
“Communities across the United States are stronger when our elected leaders invest in outdoor recreation,” said Amy Roberts, OIA executive director. “In every congressional district across the nation, outdoor recreation provides much-needed diversity to local economies, but it also helps bridge what divides us and brings this country together. It is critical that we protect the land and water that are the foundation of this powerful economic driver and continue to invest in and support these state and local recreation economies so that we can all continue to thrive outside.”
As outlined in Vermont’s Congressional District report (Vermont has only one representative in a single At Large district, currently Democrat Peter Welch), Vermont remains well positioned to continue to grow its outdoor recreation economy, but as with any sector, there are actions that can support and grow the industry. Outdoor Industry Association urges local and federal policymakers to do the following:
- Visit the OIA Advocacy Center to learn more about the important role the outdoor recreation economy plays—and the impact it has—in your state, your district and in your local community.
- Adequately fund state and local parks and trails, the foundation of local recreation economies that bring communities together.
- Support community planning that allows all citizens to go outside and recreate within 30 minutes of their homes.
- Support policies that encourage outdoor entrepreneurs and innovators to start businesses.
Last year, OIA released the third version of “The Outdoor Recreation Economy” report, the largest and most comprehensive report of its kind to date. That report showed that the outdoor recreation economy generates $887 billion in consumer spending annually, sustains 7.6 million American jobs and generates $65.3 billion in federal tax revenue and $59.2 billion in state and local tax revenue each year.
Subsequently, OIA released state-level Outdoor Recreation Economy reports featuring economic data for all 50 states across the United States, offering a deeper look into a thriving sector that’s helping to create healthier economies and healthier communities.
About Outdoor Industry Association
Based in Boulder, Colo., with offices in Washington, D.C., Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) is the leading trade association for the outdoor industry and the title sponsor of Outdoor Retailer. OIA unites and serves over 1,300 manufacturers, supplier, sales representative and retailer members through its focus on trade and recreation policy, sustainable business innovation and outdoor participation. For more information, visit outdoorindustry.org.
Source: WASHINGTON, D.C. – April 17, 2018 – Outdoor Industry Association