State official touts benefits of outdoor recreation during Montgomery visit
RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Lucas Drick with Priority Bicycles explains the controls of an electric bike to DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn during a visit to the facility in Montgomery on Thursday, May 11, 2023. Dunn was joined by Deputy Secretary for Community Affairs and Economic Development (DCED) Rick Vilello, and Pennsylvania Director of Outdoor Recreation Nathan Reigner on a tour to highlight the importance of businesses that support Pennsylvania’s outdoor recreation economy. The event followed Governor Josh Shapiro’s first budget proposal, which would allocate funding for the creation of the Office of Outdoor Recreation.
RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Patrick Sparks explains the backstory of Priority Bicycles during a visit to the facility in Montgomery by DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn on Thursday, May 11, 2023. Dunn was joined by Deputy Secretary for Community Affairs and Economic Development (DCED) Rick Vilello, and Pennsylvania Director of Outdoor Recreation Nathan Reigner on a tour to highlight the importance of businesses that support Pennsylvania’s outdoor recreation economy. The event followed Governor Josh Shapiro’s first budget proposal, which would allocate funding for the creation of the Office of Outdoor Recreation.
RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Patrick Sparks explains the backstory of Priority Bicycles during a visit to the facility in Montgomery by DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn on Thursday, May 11, 2023. Dunn was joined by Deputy Secretary for Community Affairs and Economic Development (DCED) Rick Vilello, and Pennsylvania Director of Outdoor Recreation Nathan Reigner on a tour to highlight the importance of businesses that support Pennsylvania’s outdoor recreation economy. The event followed Governor Josh Shapiro’s first budget proposal, which would allocate funding for the creation of the Office of Outdoor Recreation.
RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn admires a bike during a visit to Priority Bicycles in Montgomery on Thursday, May 11, 2023. Dunn was joined by Deputy Secretary for Community Affairs and Economic Development (DCED) Rick Vilello, and Pennsylvania Director of Outdoor Recreation Nathan Reigner on a tour to highlight the importance of businesses that support Pennsylvania’s outdoor recreation economy. The event followed Governor Josh Shapiro’s first budget proposal, which would allocate funding for the creation of the Office of Outdoor Recreation.
RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn listens to the backstory of Priority Bicycles during a visit to the facility in Montgomery on Thursday, May 11, 2023. Dunn was joined by Deputy Secretary for Community Affairs and Economic Development (DCED) Rick Vilello, and Pennsylvania Director of Outdoor Recreation Nathan Reigner on a tour to highlight the importance of businesses that support Pennsylvania’s outdoor recreation economy. The event followed Governor Josh Shapiro’s first budget proposal, which would allocate funding for the creation of the Office of Outdoor Recreation.
RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn makes a point while addressing county commissioners and others during a visit to Priority Bicycles in Montgomery on Thursday, May 11, 2023. Dunn was joined by Deputy Secretary for Community Affairs and Economic Development (DCED) Rick Vilello, and Pennsylvania Director of Outdoor Recreation Nathan Reigner on a tour to highlight the importance of businesses that support Pennsylvania’s outdoor recreation economy. The event followed Governor Josh Shapiro’s first budget proposal, which would allocate funding for the creation of the Office of Outdoor Recreation.
RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Pa. Director of Outdoor Recreation Nathan Reigner makes a point while addressing county commissioners and others during a visit to Priority Bicycles in Montgomery on Thursday, May 11, 2023. Reigner joined DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn and Deputy Secretary for Community Affairs and Economic Development (DCED) Rick Vilello on a tour to highlight the importance of businesses that support Pennsylvania’s outdoor recreation economy. The event followed Governor Josh Shapiro’s first budget proposal, which would allocate funding for the creation of the Office of Outdoor Recreation.
RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Deputy Secretary for Community Affairs and Economic Development (DCED) Rick Vilello makes a point while addressing county commissioners and others during a visit to Priority Bicycles in Montgomery on Thursday, May 11, 2023. Vilello joined DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn and Pa. Director of Outdoor Recreation Nathan Reigner on a tour to highlight the importance of businesses that support Pennsylvania’s outdoor recreation economy. The event followed Governor Josh Shapiro’s first budget proposal, which would allocate funding for the creation of the Office of Outdoor Recreation.
RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn makes a point while addressing county commissioners and others during a visit to Priority Bicycles in Montgomery on Thursday, May 11, 2023. Dunn was joined by Deputy Secretary for Community Affairs and Economic Development (DCED) Rick Vilello, and Pennsylvania Director of Outdoor Recreation Nathan Reigner on a tour to highlight the importance of businesses that support Pennsylvania’s outdoor recreation economy. The event followed Governor Josh Shapiro’s first budget proposal, which would allocate funding for the creation of the Office of Outdoor Recreation.
RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn admires a bike during a visit to Priority Bicycles in Montgomery on Thursday, May 11, 2023. Dunn was joined by Deputy Secretary for Community Affairs and Economic Development (DCED) Rick Vilello, and Pennsylvania Director of Outdoor Recreation Nathan Reigner on a tour to highlight the importance of businesses that support Pennsylvania’s outdoor recreation economy. The event followed Governor Josh Shapiro’s first budget proposal, which would allocate funding for the creation of the Office of Outdoor Recreation.
RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn along with Pa. Director of Outdoor Recreation Nathan Reigner try out electric bikes during a visit to Priority Bicycles in Montgomery on Thursday, May 11, 2023. Dunn and Reigner were joined by Deputy Secretary for Community Affairs and Economic Development (DCED) Rick Vilello, on a tour to highlight the importance of businesses that support Pennsylvania’s outdoor recreation economy. The event followed Governor Josh Shapiro’s first budget proposal, which would allocate funding for the creation of the Office of Outdoor Recreation.
RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn tries out an electric bike during a visit to Priority Bicycles in Montgomery on Thursday, May 11, 2023. Dunn was joined by Deputy Secretary for Community Affairs and Economic Development (DCED) Rick Vilello, and Pennsylvania Director of Outdoor Recreation Nathan Reigner on a tour to highlight the importance of businesses that support Pennsylvania’s outdoor recreation economy. The event followed Governor Josh Shapiro’s first budget proposal, which would allocate funding for the creation of the Office of Outdoor Recreation.
RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn tries out an electric bike during a visit to Priority Bicycles in Montgomery on Thursday, May 11, 2023. Dunn was joined by Deputy Secretary for Community Affairs and Economic Development (DCED) Rick Vilello, and Pennsylvania Director of Outdoor Recreation Nathan Reigner on a tour to highlight the importance of businesses that support Pennsylvania’s outdoor recreation economy. The event followed Governor Josh Shapiro’s first budget proposal, which would allocate funding for the creation of the Office of Outdoor Recreation.
RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Lucas Drick with Priority Bicycles explains the controls of an electric bike to DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn during a visit to the facility in Montgomery on Thursday, May 11, 2023. Dunn was joined by Deputy Secretary for Community Affairs and Economic Development (DCED) Rick Vilello, and Pennsylvania Director of Outdoor Recreation Nathan Reigner on a tour to highlight the importance of businesses that support Pennsylvania’s outdoor recreation economy. The event followed Governor Josh Shapiro’s first budget proposal, which would allocate funding for the creation of the Office of Outdoor Recreation.
RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Patrick Sparks explains the backstory of Priority Bicycles during a visit to the facility in Montgomery by DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn on Thursday, May 11, 2023. Dunn was joined by Deputy Secretary for Community Affairs and Economic Development (DCED) Rick Vilello, and Pennsylvania Director of Outdoor Recreation Nathan Reigner on a tour to highlight the importance of businesses that support Pennsylvania’s outdoor recreation economy. The event followed Governor Josh Shapiro’s first budget proposal, which would allocate funding for the creation of the Office of Outdoor Recreation.
RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Patrick Sparks explains the backstory of Priority Bicycles during a visit to the facility in Montgomery by DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn on Thursday, May 11, 2023. Dunn was joined by Deputy Secretary for Community Affairs and Economic Development (DCED) Rick Vilello, and Pennsylvania Director of Outdoor Recreation Nathan Reigner on a tour to highlight the importance of businesses that support Pennsylvania’s outdoor recreation economy. The event followed Governor Josh Shapiro’s first budget proposal, which would allocate funding for the creation of the Office of Outdoor Recreation.
RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn admires a bike during a visit to Priority Bicycles in Montgomery on Thursday, May 11, 2023. Dunn was joined by Deputy Secretary for Community Affairs and Economic Development (DCED) Rick Vilello, and Pennsylvania Director of Outdoor Recreation Nathan Reigner on a tour to highlight the importance of businesses that support Pennsylvania’s outdoor recreation economy. The event followed Governor Josh Shapiro’s first budget proposal, which would allocate funding for the creation of the Office of Outdoor Recreation.
RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn listens to the backstory of Priority Bicycles during a visit to the facility in Montgomery on Thursday, May 11, 2023. Dunn was joined by Deputy Secretary for Community Affairs and Economic Development (DCED) Rick Vilello, and Pennsylvania Director of Outdoor Recreation Nathan Reigner on a tour to highlight the importance of businesses that support Pennsylvania’s outdoor recreation economy. The event followed Governor Josh Shapiro’s first budget proposal, which would allocate funding for the creation of the Office of Outdoor Recreation.
RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn makes a point while addressing county commissioners and others during a visit to Priority Bicycles in Montgomery on Thursday, May 11, 2023. Dunn was joined by Deputy Secretary for Community Affairs and Economic Development (DCED) Rick Vilello, and Pennsylvania Director of Outdoor Recreation Nathan Reigner on a tour to highlight the importance of businesses that support Pennsylvania’s outdoor recreation economy. The event followed Governor Josh Shapiro’s first budget proposal, which would allocate funding for the creation of the Office of Outdoor Recreation.
RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Pa. Director of Outdoor Recreation Nathan Reigner makes a point while addressing county commissioners and others during a visit to Priority Bicycles in Montgomery on Thursday, May 11, 2023. Reigner joined DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn and Deputy Secretary for Community Affairs and Economic Development (DCED) Rick Vilello on a tour to highlight the importance of businesses that support Pennsylvania’s outdoor recreation economy. The event followed Governor Josh Shapiro’s first budget proposal, which would allocate funding for the creation of the Office of Outdoor Recreation.
RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Deputy Secretary for Community Affairs and Economic Development (DCED) Rick Vilello makes a point while addressing county commissioners and others during a visit to Priority Bicycles in Montgomery on Thursday, May 11, 2023. Vilello joined DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn and Pa. Director of Outdoor Recreation Nathan Reigner on a tour to highlight the importance of businesses that support Pennsylvania’s outdoor recreation economy. The event followed Governor Josh Shapiro’s first budget proposal, which would allocate funding for the creation of the Office of Outdoor Recreation.
RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn makes a point while addressing county commissioners and others during a visit to Priority Bicycles in Montgomery on Thursday, May 11, 2023. Dunn was joined by Deputy Secretary for Community Affairs and Economic Development (DCED) Rick Vilello, and Pennsylvania Director of Outdoor Recreation Nathan Reigner on a tour to highlight the importance of businesses that support Pennsylvania’s outdoor recreation economy. The event followed Governor Josh Shapiro’s first budget proposal, which would allocate funding for the creation of the Office of Outdoor Recreation.
RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn admires a bike during a visit to Priority Bicycles in Montgomery on Thursday, May 11, 2023. Dunn was joined by Deputy Secretary for Community Affairs and Economic Development (DCED) Rick Vilello, and Pennsylvania Director of Outdoor Recreation Nathan Reigner on a tour to highlight the importance of businesses that support Pennsylvania’s outdoor recreation economy. The event followed Governor Josh Shapiro’s first budget proposal, which would allocate funding for the creation of the Office of Outdoor Recreation.
RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn along with Pa. Director of Outdoor Recreation Nathan Reigner try out electric bikes during a visit to Priority Bicycles in Montgomery on Thursday, May 11, 2023. Dunn and Reigner were joined by Deputy Secretary for Community Affairs and Economic Development (DCED) Rick Vilello, on a tour to highlight the importance of businesses that support Pennsylvania’s outdoor recreation economy. The event followed Governor Josh Shapiro’s first budget proposal, which would allocate funding for the creation of the Office of Outdoor Recreation.
RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn tries out an electric bike during a visit to Priority Bicycles in Montgomery on Thursday, May 11, 2023. Dunn was joined by Deputy Secretary for Community Affairs and Economic Development (DCED) Rick Vilello, and Pennsylvania Director of Outdoor Recreation Nathan Reigner on a tour to highlight the importance of businesses that support Pennsylvania’s outdoor recreation economy. The event followed Governor Josh Shapiro’s first budget proposal, which would allocate funding for the creation of the Office of Outdoor Recreation.
RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn tries out an electric bike during a visit to Priority Bicycles in Montgomery on Thursday, May 11, 2023. Dunn was joined by Deputy Secretary for Community Affairs and Economic Development (DCED) Rick Vilello, and Pennsylvania Director of Outdoor Recreation Nathan Reigner on a tour to highlight the importance of businesses that support Pennsylvania’s outdoor recreation economy. The event followed Governor Josh Shapiro’s first budget proposal, which would allocate funding for the creation of the Office of Outdoor Recreation.
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MONTGOMERY -- Cindy Adams Dunn seemed to enjoy taking off for a ride on a Priority Bicycle along the banks of the West Branch of the Susquehanna River.
Among the bicycles Priority Bicycles, 79 Thomas Ave., Montgomery, sells are those crafted for riding on smooth bike trails and with wide tires for off-trail use.
Dunn, the secretary of the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources under Gov. Josh Shapiro, stopped by the bicycle manufacturer in Lycoming County to describe the benefits -- economic as well as for both mental and physical health -- for using the state and region's vast outdoor resources and for companies such as Priority Bicycle to continue to thrive.
Outdoor recreation has received more funding because during the budget hearing state Sen. Gene Yaw, R-Loyalsock Township, who is chairman of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy committee, pushed for oil and gas funds to allow for the creation of the Office of Outdoor Recreation.
What has not been coalesced if the business that comes from the strength of outdoor recreation, she said.
"Think about it," she said, in the bicycle factory, a few blocks from the banks of the West Branch of the Susquehanna River. "We've got more rail trails, the Susquehanna River, Allegheny and Delaware rivers. We've got beautiful mountain ridges, state forests, 6,000 local parks and trails like the Buffalo Valley Rail Trail" in Lewisburg, she said.
"It is easy to think about outdoor recreation as a nice afternoon with some friends, when the sun is shining," said Nathan Reigner, director of Outdoor Recreation. It is that, but it also contributes $14 billion to the state's gross domestic product, he added.
"We have the resources to be able to promote that outdoor product," said Jason Fink, president and CEO of the Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce.
"I think it's about time that we really maximize that," he said.
"We've got a lot of good things going on," Fink said. "We've got exciting business development opportunities but let's use those resources to be able to maximize that."