Outdoor recreation industry leaders including Outdoor Recreation Roundtable, REI and Outdoor Industry Association applaud Minnesota’s announcement of an Outdoor Recreation Task Force (ORTF) to study and identify economic and participation opportunities around the state’s robust outdoor recreation resources. The effort to create the task force was jointly pursued by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and Explore Minnesota and was supported by many Minnesota outdoor recreation businesses- from boating and fishing to hunting and paddling. The Task Force will consist of 20 seats and be announced in January. Minnesota is well-positioned to take advantage of the opportunities the Outdoor Recreation Task Force will create because outdoor recreation already accounts for 2.7% of Minnesota’s economy, supports 101,000 jobs and contributes $9.6 billion to Minnesota’s economy.

“The outdoor recreation community has worked collectively before to make great strides, but Minnesota’s announcement of an Outdoor Recreation Task Force is a stunning example of our sector working together with the state to create real support for the growing outdoor recreation economy in Minnesota,” said Jessica Wahl, executive director of Outdoor Recreation Roundtable. “Time and time again we have seen how states with offices of outdoor recreation are better able to leverage their existing outdoor recreation businesses and resources into attracting even more outdoor businesses while increasing the overall recreation economy those states. ORR is proud of the role our members played in working together to create a Task Force in Minnesota and thrilled to provide continued support for this effort!”

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