Outdoor recreation worth $8.2 billion in Maine
Courtesy / Royal River Conservation Trust
Teams of canoeists near the start of last year's Run of the Royal, a relay race on the Royal River in Yarmouth that raises money for the Royal River Conservation Trust.
Outdoor recreation is worth $8.2 billion in spending to the state each year, according to an Outdoor Industry Association report.
The Bangor Daily News reported the outdoor economy generates 76,000 jobs, $2.2 billion in wages and salaries and $548 million in state and local tax revenue. The balance is in recreational water sports and related spending.
The report lists 45 activities, such as wildlife viewing, motorcycling, boating, hunting, fishing, bicycling and camping. The report said 70% of Maine residents participate in outdoor recreation, making it one of the higher states in participation, Alex Boian, the Outdoor Industry Association’s vice president of government affairs, told the BDN.
He said the report can serve as a call to action.
“Our message is, the outdoor recreation economy contributes to healthy communities and healthy economies in Maine and across the United States,” Boian said. “So how do you perpetuate that? How do you grow the outdoor economy?”
According to the association’s website, outdoor recreation nationwide generates $887 billion in consumer spending annually and sustains 7.6 million jobs.
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