Senator Shaheen (D-NH) and Senator Gardner’s (R-CO) introduced the Recreation’s Economic Contributions (REC) Act, which would ensure that outdoor recreation jobs are counted by the federal government and measured as part of the overall GDP, for the first time.
Outdoor Industry Association called the legislation a major breakthrough for the entire industry that could eventually inform future national recreation policies.
The REC legislation requires the Department of Commerce, in consultation with federal land management agencies, to provide annual statistics of the industry and its contributions to the economy. While OIA’s most recent report on the recreation economy estimates the industry employs 6.1 million Americans and contributes $80 billion to local, state and federal tax revenue, federal statistics could help provide greater influence over federal and local recreation policy and business decisions, according to OIA Recreation Policy Adviser Jessica Wahl.
“We look forward to working with the government to count the millions of jobs that depend on outdoor recreation in manufacturing and retailing, travel and tourism, and outdoor activities like hunting and angling, guiding and outfitting,” Wahl said in a statement issued Oct. 29.
OIA asks supporters to:
- Urge their members of Congress to join Senators Shaheen and Gardner on the REC bill.
- Promote #CountMyJobs by using the hashtag on Twitter and Facebook.
- Sign on to the OIA Support Letter with many other recreation businesses and organizations.
