December Update - Minnesota Outdoor Recreation Industry Partnership

Director's Note

As we enter the holiday season and embrace Minnesota's winter recreation, I'm excited to share awesome news about our state's thriving outdoor recreation economy, which now contributes $13.5 billion to our GDP. Whether you're planning some ice fishing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling or simply enjoying time outside with family during the holidays, this newsletter highlights the growing impact of outdoor recreation in Minnesota and new opportunities to connect with nature in the coming year. See you on the trail!

Outdoor Recreation Economy's Strong Role in Minnesota Continues, according to U.S. Bureau Of Economic Analysis
The U.S. Department of Commerce's Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) has released new economic data exhibiting outdoor recreation's powerful and positive economic impact on Minnesota's economy. According to the latest data from the BEA Outdoor Recreation Satellite Account, outdoor recreation created $13.5 billion in value-added for Minnesota, accounts for 2.8% of Minnesota's GDP and includes 95,937 jobs in 2023.

At a national level, these new figures show that outdoor recreation generated $1.2 trillion in economic output (2.3% of GDP), comprises 3.1% of U.S. employees and accounts for 5 million jobs in 2023. The outdoor recreation sector contributes more to the national economy than all other natural-resource-oriented industries. 

This is the seventh consecutive year BEA released government data on this critical industry sector. The latest release confirms the role of outdoor recreation as a central contributor to thriving economies, healthy people, and connected communities.

Key Highlights from the 2023 data on the outdoor recreation economy in Minnesota:

• $13.5 billion in GDP for Minnesota. That is up from $11.7 billion in the previous year.
• The industry accounts for 96,000 jobs, up from 93,733 in the previous year.
• At 2.8% of GDP, Minnesota has the most robust outdoor recreation economy in the Upper Midwest. 
• Our growth in GDP (10.5%) outpaced the national average (9%). This was not the case last year. 
• Boating/Fishing ($1.14 billion) doubles, the next closest industry segment (Hunting: $554 million).
• In 2023, Minnesota ranked 16th among all states in ORSA value-added and 13th among all states in ORSA value-added growth. Last year this was 18th and 24th respectively. 
• In 2023, Minnesota ranked 20th among all states in ORSA employment and 10th among all states in ORSA employment growth. In 2022, this was 20th and 34th, respectively. Since 2022, ORSA employment has grown 4.2 percent in Minnesota, compared with an increase of 3.3 percent in the United States. 
• In 2023, Minnesota ranked 18th among all states in ORSA compensation and 6th among all states in ORSA compensation growth. In 2022, this was 18th and 29th, respectively. Since 2022, ORSA compensation has grown 11.8 percent in Minnesota, compared with an increase of 9 percent in the United States.

This year's progress reaffirms outdoor recreation's significant role in driving national and local economies. Even as the industry normalizes from post-pandemic peaks, its sustained impact in creating jobs and revenue reveals the enduring appeal of outdoor experiences and their economic power across diverse regions.

Outdoor recreation's positive economic impact highlights the sector's growing importance, particularly for rural communities in every state across the country. It supports job creation and community well-being. The industry's contributions are essential to towns and cities' economic vitality and social health nationwide.

The new figures from the Bureau of Economic Analysis also underscore the importance of outdoor recreation in healthy and competitive state economies. This is a big reason why 24 states have created outdoor recreation offices in just over a decade to harness the benefits of this fast-growing sector. Urban and rural communities also invest in outdoor recreation infrastructure and access to build resilient and diversified economies, connect their residents, and improve public health.

Minnesotans Overwhelmingly Support Their Outdoors
During an era of intense political division, one issue consistently brings people together: the great outdoors. On the first Tuesday in November, Minnesota voters approved an extension of the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund for another 25 years. The measure passed with overwhelming support - about 77.2% voting yes (2,526,205 votes) versus no (530,504 votes). The Fund dedicates 40% of state lottery proceeds to outdoor conservation efforts.

The amendment passed unanimously across all Minnesota counties and districts. Since 1991, the fund has provided nearly $1.1 billion for over 1,700 conservation projects. The renewed amendment includes a modification to increase annual allocations from 5.5% to 7% of the fund's balance, with the additional 1.5% dedicated to a new small community grant program.

The fund is overseen by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources, a 17-member panel of legislators and citizens. Conservation groups widely celebrated the outcome, viewing it as a demonstration of Minnesotans' bipartisan commitment to environmental protection and outdoor resources.

State Grants Help Children Get Outside, Begin a Lifetime of Outdoor Experiences
ORIP is pleased to announce another phase of the No Child Left Inside grants. These grants help more children cast a line, study animal tracks, hike or bike, or engage in other activities to learn about nature.

Public entities and nonprofit organizations serving youth younger than 18, including Tribal Nations, schools and governments, can apply for No Child Left Inside grants. A special category of grants in this phase is held for organizations working in metropolitan environmental justice areas and serving youth from nonnative English-speaking communities.

This grant program contributes to realizing the vision of the Minnesota Children's Outdoor Bill of Rights opens in a new browser tab for each and every Minnesota child to experience outdoor recreational activities and discover the natural environment regardless of where they live, learn, or play.

As of Tuesday, Nov. 12, the Minnesota DNR is accepting applications for mini-grants ($5,000 or less) and larger grants ($5,001 to $25,000). The request for proposals is available on the Minnesota DNR website. Applications will be accepted until 2 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 17.

Over 310 Outdoor Recreation Businesses and Organizations Call on Congress to Pass the Bipartisan EXPLORE Act Before Year End
312 businesses and organizations across the $1.1 trillion outdoor recreation economy called on Congress to pass the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act before the end of the year. The bipartisan EXPLORE Act, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously in April, enjoys unprecedented support from a broad coalition of industry associations, conservation groups, and outdoor businesses.

The EXPLORE Act is a package of more than a dozen bipartisan policy measures designed to boost rural economies, foster community resilience, and enhance Americans' quality of life by improving access to public lands and recreational opportunities nationwide, all without additional cost to taxpayers. The legislation will streamline processes crucial to the over 5 million American jobs supported by the outdoor sector and ensure more Americans can enjoy outdoor recreation's health and environmental benefits.

The EXPLORE Act addresses crucial issues impacting urban and rural communities, from modernizing outfitter permitting processes to guiding the expansion of green spaces in underserved areas and the enhancement of long-range trail systems. With provisions that benefit motorized and non-motorized recreation, conservationists, sportsmen and women, and economic advocates, the EXPLORE Act represents the most diverse coalition of outdoor stakeholders ever assembled.

Minnesota businesses and organizations supporting the EXPLORE Act include Pheasants Forever, Wildlife Forever, The Toro Company, Northland Fishing Tackle and Winnebago Industries.

Event Highlight
Join the fun at the Minnesota Nordic Ski Opener on Saturday, December 7, 2024, at Elm Creek Park Reserve in Maple Grove! This free event welcomes skiers of all ages and skill levels to celebrate the start of winter with free ski rentals, mini lessons, and access to Elm Creek's manufactured snow loop. Highlights include Skaði's Chase Nordic ski race, the Ski Tour, the Nordic Market, and family-friendly activities like the Minnesota Youth Ski League's obstacle course. Don't miss the chance to ski with Goldy Gopher, enjoy a Nordic sauna, or sign up for the 2024–2025 ski season. Warm up in the chalet and embrace the winter spirit!

Listen to Our Podcast!
If you love Minnesota outdoors and want to learn more about the people responsible for Minnesota's tradition of excellence in outdoor recreation, check out Explore Minnesota More. Previous episodes include a peek into how Minnesota hosted one of the greatest Nordic skiing events in American history and how Cuyuna transformed from a mining town to one of the top 25 mountain-biking destinations on the entire planet. Explore Minnesota More features the stories of the people building the outdoor experience in our state.

Call(s) to Action
The success of our State's outdoor industry is founded upon the actions by Minnesotans passionate about the outdoors. Here are a few steps you can take to help us out.

• Know someone interested in the outdoor industry? Please share this newsletter with them.
• Do you have any feedback about what you've just read? My door is always open. Let me know how we can improve.
• If you have any ideas for stories we should highlight through the podcast, I would love to hear them. We're looking to tell the stories of champions, visionaries, entrepreneurs, activists, and athletes who make Minnesota's outdoor ecosystem one of the best in the US.

Randolph Briley (he/him)  |  Deputy Director - Outdoor Recreation

121 7th Place East, Suite 360, St. Paul, MN 55101 

C: 320-319-6692

randolph.briley@state.mn.us  |  exploreminnesota.com | outdoorindustrypartnership.com