Columbia, Pa. — Pennsylvania's outdoor recreation economy has grown 21 percent under Governor Josh Shapiro, adding 12,000 jobs and nearly 25 percent wage growth, as the Pennsylvania Office of Outdoor Recreation (PA OOR) marks three years of work to grow the industry and make outdoor recreation a larger driver of economic development statewide.
Today, PA OOR marked its third anniversary in Columbia with Let's Roll, the Outdoor Business Alliance of Pennsylvania, EDC Lancaster County, and local leaders. The celebration comes as the latest data shows Pennsylvania's outdoor recreation economy grew by $1.5 billion in 2024 alone, reaching $20.4 billion and supporting more than 177,000 jobs and $9.5 billion in wages.
Since its launch in 2023, PA OOR has worked to grow the capacity of outdoor recreation businesses, connect entrepreneurs with resources, and position outdoor recreation as a strategic economic development tool, helping build an industry that now accounts for 2 percent of Pennsylvania's GDP.
Speaker list
Tim Hill, co-owner, Let's Roll e-bike shop
Nathan Reigner, director of outdoor recreation, Pennsylvania Office of Outdoor Recreation
Silas Chamberlin, executive director, Outdoor Business Alliance of Pennsylvania
Ezra Rothman, president, EDC Lancaster County
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