Growing what comes natural: new coalition aimed at growing PA’s $12B outdoor recreation sector
Pennsylvania Director of Outdoor Recreation Nathan Reigner announced the Recreation Engagement Coalition (REC) on September 14, 2022. Photo: PAPressRoom
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn and Pennsylvania Director of Outdoor Recreation Nathan Reigner joined Wolf administration officials and a new Recreation Engagement Coalition (REC) to kick off discussions on growing Pennsylvania’s outdoor recreation sector.
“DCNR has made strategic accomplishments in the first seven years of the Wolf Administration and is intent on building upon that progress in 2022 and beyond,” Dunn said. “We have seen a tremendous interest in outdoor recreation over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic as people have grown to appreciate the role it plays not just for our health and wellbeing, but also for our commonwealth’s economy. At the core of our priorities is ensuring outdoor recreation benefits all Pennsylvanians. I am eager to work with this advisory coalition to outline priorities for the outdoor recreation sector over the course of the coming year.”
Wednesday’s event at the Pennsylvania Governor’s Residence convened the REC, which is a part of DCNR’s efforts for Growing Outdoor Recreation for Pennsylvania (GORP) will be primary advisers helping to build the commonwealth’s Office of Outdoor Recreation. Outdoor recreation adds $12 billion in value to Pennsylvania’s economy and 150,000 full-time jobs, accounting for approximately 1.5% of the commonwealth’s GDP.
We have seen a tremendous interest in outdoor recreation … not just for our health and wellbeing, but also for our commonwealth’s economy.
In a previous interview, Reigner spoke to the benefits of growing outdoor recreation with the Alleghenies and the rest of the state. “As quality of life increases, populations grow and unemployment declines,” he said. “Quality of life is going to be the driver of development and vitality in small and medium- sized rural and industrial Pennsylvania towns, and quality of life is a product of outdoor recreation, historic preservation of our downtowns and the availability of cultural services, which are breweries, interesting restaurants, art and music festivals.”
Startup Alleghenies helps startup and emerging small businesses succeed by providing free coaching to entrepreneurs in Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Fulton, Huntingdon and Somerset counties. To access personal, one-on-one support from a coach in your county, including guidance, resources, tools and networking opportunities, sign up at startupalleghenies.com.
