Recreation Pumps $730 Million into U.S. Economy

None by KCPW

(KCPW News) People who cycle, camp, paddle, ski, fish and otherwise recreate outdoors account for 8 percent of consumer spending in the U.S. According to a new report by the Outdoor Industry Association, outdoor recreation pours $730 billion into the economy each year.

"This shows how widespread the support is, of the citizenry, for the outdoors and the quality of the experience," said U.S. Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne.

He praised the data as proof that active Americans value well-preserved wilderness areas. Outdoor Industry Association President Frank Hugelmeyer hopes the report will bolster recreation interests in policy circles:

"This report is a tool to provide the information to western governors, business leaders and policy makers to be able to see how they can build a balanced economy."

Hugelmeyer says the report proves recreation is a key economic engine for rural America, including much of Utah. The data also says outdoor recreation supports six and a half million jobs and generates nearly $90 billion in federal and state tax revenue.

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