• Supports nearly 6.5 million jobs across the U.S. (1 out of 20 workers)

• Generates $88 billion in annual state and national tax revenue

• More camp than play basketball and more paddle (canoe,

kayak, raft) than play soccer

• The number of Americans who bicycle is double the

population of Canada

• The Outdoor Recreation Economy employs 5x more people

than Wal-Mart, the world’s largest private employer

More than 3 out of 4 Americans

Engage in Outdoor Recreation

It’s a $730 Billion Annual Contribution

to the U.S. Economy

What is the Outdoor Recreation

Economy?

On a Virginia level

• $18.7 billion industry

• Employs 210,000 people

• Provides $1.2 billion in state and

local tax revenue

• The most visited National Park in the U.S. – Blue Ridge Parkway

• The longest footpath in the U.S. – Appalachian Trail

• The most photographed point along the Appalachian Trail – McAfee Knob

• The 2nd largest municipal park in the U.S. – Carvins Cove Nature Reserve

• Smith Mountain Lake

• Mountain Bike trails ranked in Top 5 according to Outside TV

• More than 600 miles of trails and 20 miles of greenways

• Four State Parks

• Four large lakes ideal for boating, fishing, and water sports

• Two major rivers – James and New Rivers

• World-class fishing can be found on the region’s numerous wild and stocked streams and lakes

Outdoor Assets

Identifying Opportunity

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Identifying Opportunity

Outdoor Development

Increased Quality of

Life

New Jobs & Investment

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• Weekly newsletter

• Event promotion &

consultation

• Education

• Contests & giveaways

• Forum for discussion

• Film Festival

• Expo

Community Connection

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“This should get 6 stars. While challenging, it was so beautiful! My

iPod stayed in my belt the entire time. It was like watching the best

nature movie ever.”

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“Roanoke, VA is the friendliest place I have been to in a long

while. All I have to say is WOW, the locations supported this thing

like they were all running it.”

$346,776

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