Outdoor Recreation Businesses Encouraged to Provide Feedback to Elevate the Outdoor Recreation Industry in Pennsylvania

We know the importance and value outdoor recreation brings to Pennsylvania.

We know about the well-being and quality of life benefits it brings to communities; however, less is known about how the outdoor recreation industry is powerful contributor to Pennsylvania’s economy.

We’re ready to change that.

The outdoor industry contributes about $17 billion to Pennsylvania’s economy and supports more than 164,000 full-time jobs — earning Pennsylvanians $8 billion in wages and salaries.

While this sounds impressive, we know that there are real challenges facing the businesses and professionals that make up the outdoor recreation industry, and we’re ready to help!

Elevate is an initiative to lift the outdoor recreation industry by bringing together outdoor recreation providers, producers, and professionals to encourage a strong and unified voice for the outdoor industry to solve the challenges it is facing and make Pennsylvania a national leader in outdoor recreation.

We know that you are stronger together!

Who Makes Up the Outdoor Recreation Industry?

Identifying who makes up our outdoor recreation industry is the first step with which your help is needed.

• If you own a coffee shop next to a trail, provide overnight lodging to outdoor recreation users, or have a restaurant or bar that caters to trail users, you are an outdoor recreation business.

• If you sell outdoor recreation equipment and vehicles, clothing and supplies, or own a repair shop for outdoor recreation equipment, you are an outdoor recreation business.

• If you provide outdoor recreation experiences, put on events or festivals, or teach people outdoor recreation skills, you are an outdoor recreation business.

• If you manufacture or distribute outdoor recreation equipment, clothing, food, and drink, you are an outdoor recreation business.

• If you are creating content, providing services, or developing infrastructure to get people outside, you are an outdoor recreation business.

We Need to Hear from You!

If you fit into any of these categories, please fill out the survey at the Elevate Outdoors Pennsylvania website by December 31, 2024.

This survey will tell us about your business and operations and what you need to grow and prosper.

The information will be used to communicate with the outdoor recreation industry about the steps being taken to elevate the industry and further grow the importance of the outdoor recreation in Pennsylvania.

Never before has there been a more powerful opportunity to shape the future of Pennsylvania’s outdoor recreation industry — engage in Elevate!

Pennsylvania Office of Outdoor Recreation Rolls Out 'Elevate' Initiative to Engage Outdoor Businesses

Pennsylvania Director of Outdoor Recreation Nathan Reigner visited Easton Outdoor Company to announce the launch of Elevate, a new business engagement initiative designed to strengthen Pennsylvania's outdoor recreation industry by engaging directly with the businesses that drive it.

The Elevate initiative will connect with outdoor recreation businesses across the Commonwealth to identify barriers to growth, develop workforce solutions, and highlight Pennsylvania as a premier destination for outdoor recreation and a place where related businesses can thrive. Pennsylvania businesses involved in or benefiting from outdoor recreation are invited to complete a brief questionnaire.

This initiative advances Governor Josh Shapiro's commitment to strengthening Pennsylvania's outdoor industry, delivering on his promise to make Pennsylvania a national leader in outdoor recreation, entrepreneurial opportunity, and job creation.

"Outdoor recreation is already a major economic driver in Pennsylvania and my Administration is working to grow the industry even further by connecting the dots between businesses in the Commonwealth's outdoor recreation economy so they can help each other grow and succeed," said Governor Shapiro. "This initiative is an example of how our commitment to outdoor recreation can lift up communities, create good jobs, and fuel economic growth across Pennsylvania. Outdoor recreation isn't just about business or economics - it's about our quality of life and enjoying the incredible natural beauty we're lucky to have here in Pennsylvania."

The outdoor recreation industry in Pennsylvania employs more than 164,000 people and contributes $17 billion to the state’s economy annually. Pennsylvania’s outdoor recreation economy is vibrant and diverse — from designers, manufacturers, and retailers to distributors, experience providers, and creative professionals — each contributing to a thriving sector.

“Pennsylvania’s outdoor industry is a diamond in the rough,” said Director Reigner. “Elevate is a vital process that will help us engage outdoor businesses, understand their needs, and support this industry in delivering family-sustaining jobs, innovative products, and exciting services. Together, we can elevate Pennsylvania as a national leader in outdoor recreation.”

Businesses benefiting from outdoor recreation include local mainstays like Easton Outdoor Company, national brands like Dick’s Sporting Goods and Runner’s World magazine, as well as independent guiding and artisanal ventures. “

This business is more than just a gear shop,” said Adam Fairchild, owner of Easton Outdoor Company. “Our staff are ambassadors for Pennsylvania’s Great Outdoors, and our storefront plays a vital role in Easton’s ‘Main Street’ revitalization. Elevate will strengthen not only our business but also help us serve and grow our community.”

Easton Outdoor Company

“It takes a village to run a successful outdoor business,” said Karen Prieto, owner of Twin Rivers Tubing. “With Elevate, we’ll have the support of the entire state, making it possible to achieve even greater success for our business, community, and Pennsylvania as a whole.”

“Careers in outdoor recreation extend far beyond the service sector,” said Bill Strickland, Editorial Director for Hearst Publications Enthusiast Group, publisher of Runner’s World, Bicycling, and Popular Mechanics magazines. “We employ numerous creative and technical professionals working at the cutting edge of content creation. Having abundant outdoor opportunities in Easton and the greater Lehigh Valley is key to recruiting and retaining these talented individuals.”

The Office of Outdoor Recreation’s Growing Outdoor Recreation for Pennsylvania report, released in January, highlighted the need to organize and strengthen Pennsylvania’s outdoor industry, an objective that Elevate will address directly. The Office coordinates efforts with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), the Departments of Community and Economic Development (DCED) and Health (DOH), PennDOT, and others, to create a cohesive strategy for the growth and expansion of the outdoor sector.

“The Shapiro Administration is committed to supporting Pennsylvania’s businesses and increasing the competitiveness of our industries, including the outdoor sector,” said Neil Flower, Executive Director of the Center for Strategic Partnerships, DCED. “By implementing strategies outlined in Pennsylvania’s Economic Development Strategy and engaging directly with industries through Elevate, Pennsylvania is empowering businesses to thrive and drawing new entrepreneurs to the Commonwealth.”

In addition, the Shapiro Administration committed the largest investment in public land infrastructure in decades and focused on making Pennsylvania’s wealth of natural resources more accessible and inclusive.

Read more Pennsylvania’s first Economic Development Strategy in nearly 20 years here and how Governor Shapiro’s budget creates economic opportunity for all Pennsylvanians.