According to the Outdoor Industry Association, outdoor recreation contributes $887 billion in consumer spending a year and 7.6 million jobs. In North Carolina, 56% percent of residents participate in some form of outdoor recreation each year, and outdoor recreation generates $28 billion a year, which is more than financial and insurance services. It also provides 260,000 direct jobs, $8.3 billion in wages and salaries, and $1.3 billion in state and local tax revenue. Clearly, the Outdoor Economy is a significant economic driver in North Carolina. Outdoor recreation brings together private businesses, nonprofits, and local governments to attract visitors and increase the region’s economic development while also creating buy-in to address environmental, sustainability, and service concerns of local residents and governments.
Recently, I was invited to attend a town hall panel discussion entitled Navigating the Outdoor Economy in Southwestern North Carolina. The first panel discussion addressed issues related to growing the outdoor economy. After the 2008 recession, the region witnessed an increase in local and regional tourism from families stilling wishing to vacation with reduced expendable income. This region of North Carolina is within a day’s drive from several large population centers such as Atlanta, so it is easily accessible. The combination of downtown revitalization and the ability to leverage natural resources for tourism has helped many small rural communities in the region. An aspect that state and local governments could help generate growth in this industry is the creation or expansion of highspeed internet, especially in rural areas. While outdoor tourism is increasing, residents and local governments must still contend with issues that we grapple with here in Asheville, such as affordable housing, transportation, and living wages.
The second panel focused on issues of sustainability, working with private companies such as Duke Power, and community engagement and development issues particularly regarding the Qualla Boundary. Leveraging outdoor resources can be a way for rural communities to address slow economic growth and social and health issues such as obesity. The Qualla Boundary has been working to create easily accessible outdoor opportunities so that children can form a meaningful connection with the environment, and families can exercise together. Many local communities fear that economic expansion will result in these resources being overused and “loved to death.” The National Forest Service works hard to ensure that the 7 million users of the Pisgah and Nantahala National Forest can be well educated and good stewards of the environment. The national forests also see a high rate of volunteerism from individuals in conjunction with nonprofits which help with sustainability, but some view volunteers as obstacles to employment with the National Forest Service.
The Outdoor Economy is a sector that naturally brings together private organizations such as outfitters, landowners, and energy companies, nonprofit organizations that focus on sustainability and conservation, and local governments interested in increasing their tax base while providing quality service delivery to their citizens. I believe that Western North Carolina can become a leader and example for other regions looking to leverage their natural assets to increase economic development in a sustainable way that preserves the environments and enhances the quality of life for its residents.
Rachel Taylor is an NCGrowth analyst and MPA candidate at Western Carolina University with a focus on nonprofit management and cross-sector collaboration.
photo credit to the Outdoor Economy Association, 2017