PHOTO PROVIDED Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro speaks at REI in Mechanicsburg recently to lay out concrete steps to grow the outdoor recreation economy to support the state’s $19 billion outdoor industry in this photo by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

Pennsylvania’s outdoor recreation economy is on the rise — and thanks to bold leadership, strategic investment, and collaboration across sectors, a new Outdoor Business Alliance of Pennsylvania is poised to deliver real results for small businesses, workers, and communities across the Commonwealth.

Governor Josh Shapiro recently laid out concrete steps to grow the outdoor recreation economy to support the state’s $19 billion outdoor industry, which now boosts more than 168,000 jobs statewide. His message was clear: outdoor recreation is not just a lifestyle in Pennsylvania — it’s an economic engine.

Speaking at REI ‘s Mechanicsburg store, named “Best in the Nation” in 2024, Governor Shapiro outlined next steps for outdoor economic growth. He was joined by Pennsylvania Outdoor Recreation Director Nathan Reigner, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn, REI President and CEO Mary Beth Laughton, President and CEO Brett Randall of Pennsylvania-based manufacturer Aliner , and Silas Chamberlin Interim Executive Director of the Outdoor Business Alliance of Pennsylvania.

“Pennsylvania is a national leader in outdoor recreation — and my Administration is competitive as hell to make sure we’re at the very top,” said Governor Shapiro. “When we invest in outdoor recreation, we create good-paying jobs, support thriving main streets, and build stronger rural and urban economies. Two years ago, we stood up the Office of Outdoor Recreation to put Pennsylvania on the map – and today, we’re delivering real results for small businesses, workers, and communities across our Commonwealth.”

This moment is a major milestone for the Outdoor Business Alliance of Pennsylvania — a network of businesses, organizations, and stakeholders.

OBAPA is the result of more than a year of outreach and engagement with more than 1,000 outdoor businesses, entrepreneurs, and economic leaders across the Commonwealth.

The alliance has four focus areas:

• Support small businesses through technical assistance, networking, and business development events across rural and urban communities

• Grow the workforce with job matching programs, regional workforce convenings, and partnerships to fill in-demand jobs in the outdoor economy

• Expand capital access by launching the Elevate Outdoor Business Grant Program and creating a funders network for outdoor ventures

• Foster industry collaboration through statewide events like the Outdoor Industry Expo and national engagement with partners like the Outdoor Industry Association

“We heard from businesses across Pennsylvania that the outdoor economy is a real driver of growth — but they need support to scale and hire,” said Nathan Reigner, Pennsylvania’s Director of Outdoor Recreation. “The structure and plan for the alliance is a direct response to what we heard on our listening tour. We’re putting resources where they matter — workforce development, funding access, and connecting businesses to each other and to the Commonwealth.”

Public-Private

Partnerships

Powering Progress

What makes OBAPA different is its direct line to the businesses it serves. It is connecting entrepreneurs to resources and building bridges across sectors.

OBAPA was launched with $50,000 in Commonwealth funds and $200,000 in private seed funding from the Richard King Mellon Foundation — demonstrating the power of collaborative investment.

The alliance’s work also is driving innovation in workforce development. A pending initiative with the Pennsylvania Outdoor Recreation Association (PORA) aims to address job matching and training, helping connect skilled workers with in-demand outdoor industry jobs.

Real Businesses.

Real Results.

The strength of Pennsylvania’s outdoor sector is measured not only in dollars and jobs — but in the real companies growing, hiring, and innovating thanks to these new investments.

Take Roambler, for example — a tech platform that connects adventure seekers with local guides and hosts for authentic outdoor experiences. With help from the Outdoor Business Alliance, Roambler formed strategic partnerships with several Williamsport-area outfitter businesses and the Commonwealth’s new tourism brand, Pennsylvania: The Great American Getaway.

Thanks to these connections and her entrepreneurial vision, founder Katie Caputo went on to win the PA Wilds Big Idea Contest, earning a $25,000 grand prize to expand Roambler’s operations and reach.

“This is exactly the kind of direct, on-the-ground impact we want to replicate across the Commonwealth,” said OBAPA Interim Executive Director Silas Chamberlin.

Another success story is River Raptor Boats, a manufacturer of specialized shallow draft jetboats used for fishing, hunting, and water rescue. Through the alliance’s work, River Raptor Jet Boats connected with Ben Franklin Technology Partners and secured a $10,000 investment to support the development of a new “upward motor design,” enabling them to expand their product line and improve competitiveness.

Aliner, a camper manufacturer based in Mt. Pleasant, sees reasons to support OBAPA. The company employs about 95 people, works with 25 Pennsylvania-based suppliers, and generates $4 million in in-state sales annually.

“We’re proud to build opportunity here in Pennsylvania — not just campers, but jobs and partnerships,” said Brett Randall, CEO of Aliner. “This kind of support shows that Pennsylvania is serious about growing the outdoor economy.”

Pennsylvania’s

Outdoor Economy

is Strong

Pennsylvania’s 124 state parks and 2.2 million acres of state forestland and thousands of trails, rivers, lakes, gamelands, and local parks form the foundation of the outdoor economy, drawing millions of visitors every year and fueling small businesses in every region. Pennsylvania’s state parks and forests are free and open to the public.

Pennsylvania’s outdoor recreation industry grew by 10 percent from 2022 to 2023 — adding $2 billion to the state’s economy and nearly 4,000 new jobs. The industry now represents 2% of the Commonwealth’s GDP and provides $9 billion in wages and salaries to Pennsylvanians, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.

Next Up for the

Outdoor Business Alliance

The alliance will be hosting a series of educational webinars with the first one being held on September 29. The virtual session will be the opportunity to learn more about OBAPA, its role, and its first year of programming and business support.

OBAPA also is now preparing to host the first-ever Pennsylvania Outdoor Industry Expo in the spring, a statewide convening to connect entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders — further embedding Pennsylvania at the forefront of the national outdoor economy.

As REI CEO Mary Beth Laughton put it:

“Our mission is to inspire and enable a life outside for everyone. And here in Pennsylvania, that mission is thriving.”

A national consumer co-operative, across Pennsylvania REI employs nearly 800 people in four stores and a Bedford distribution center, and it sells products from more than a dozen Pennsylvania-based companies including Dansko Footwear, Organic Climbing, Vargo Outdoors and Zippo Manufacturing Company .