Recorded October 29, 2026
Featuring Nathan Reigner, Ph.D., Director of the Pennsylvania Office of Outdoor Recreation and Chair of the Confluence of States. Simon Coward, PTC Board Vice Chair, introduced the session, with Pamela Dillon, PTC Governance and Operations Manager, hosting and Andrea White of Cross Currents Leadership assisting with the discussion.
What if your paddlesports business or nonprofit could benefit from public investments in economic development, tourism, workforce training, and public health?
PTC University explored that question on October 29 with Nathan Reigner, who shared how a growing network of State Offices of Outdoor Recreation is helping connect outdoor businesses and organizations with government resources, economic development strategies, and new opportunities for growth.
His message was particularly relevant for small paddlesports businesses and nonprofits: the outdoor recreation industry has significant economic and political influence, and businesses that organize and participate in public policy conversations can help shape where investments go.
Outdoor Recreation Is Big Business
Reigner began by examining the economic, environmental, community, and health benefits generated by outdoor recreation.
Across the United States, outdoor recreation contributes approximately $1.3 trillion annually to the economy and supports approximately 5 million jobs.
In Pennsylvania alone, outdoor recreation contributes $20.4 billion to the state's economy and supports 177,000 jobs. Boating and fishing together account for approximately $1 billion in economic activity.
These numbers help explain why states are increasingly treating outdoor recreation as an economic development priority, alongside established industries such as manufacturing, agriculture, and hospitality.
Reigner also highlighted research showing that access to outdoor recreation contributes to quality of life, which is increasingly important to businesses deciding where to locate and to communities working to attract residents, employees, and investment.
For the paddlesports industry, the implications extend well beyond selling equipment or providing recreational experiences. Retailers, outfitters, manufacturers, instructors, guides, and community organizations contribute to local economies, support employment, attract visitors, and help make communities desirable places to live and work.
25 State Offices of Outdoor Recreation:
Connecting Businesses with Resources
According to Reigner, 25 states have established state Offices of Outdoor Recreation, with 23 participating in the Confluence of States, a bipartisan coalition advancing outdoor recreation as an economic and community development priority.
These offices work across government, connecting traditional recreation and natural resource agencies with departments responsible for commerce, tourism, workforce development, and economic growth.
Importantly, their value is not necessarily in administering grants directly. Instead, they help align existing government resources with the needs and opportunities of the outdoor recreation industry.
During the discussion, Reigner was asked about initiatives in Tennessee and North Carolina that are directing tourism and economic development resources toward outdoor businesses and local recreation opportunities.
Reigner confirmed that economic development agencies are increasingly bringing resources into the outdoor recreation sector, including support for:
Small business financing and technical assistance
Workforce development and professional training
Tourism promotion and recreation-related events
Waterfront redevelopment, boat launches, and recreation infrastructure
Outdoor equipment design, manufacturing, and distribution
Pennsylvania offers an example of this approach. Its Office of Outdoor Recreation operates with a modest direct budget while helping coordinate broader state economic development, tourism, conservation, and business assistance programs.
For paddlesports businesses and nonprofits, accessing these resources requires more than knowing they exist. Reigner emphasized the political influence of larger outdoor businesses and coalitions of outdoor businesses in helping state leaders recognize the industry's economic value and direct public investments toward the businesses, workforce, and community programs where they can make the greatest impact. Reigner made it clear that the resources are there, but it takes larger outdoor businesses and coalitions using their political influence to help steer those investments toward the small businesses and nonprofits best positioned to develop the local leaders, skills, and programs that make outdoor recreation thrive.
The Power of an Outdoor Business Alliance
One of the session's most important messages was that outdoor recreation businesses have a political voice, especially when they organize around shared priorities.
Reigner described the growing network of State Outdoor Business Alliances (SOBAN), which work alongside State Offices of Outdoor Recreation to advocate for industry needs and advance economic development initiatives.
In Pennsylvania, outdoor business alliance activities include small business technical assistance, funding education, and business pitch competitions offering mini-grants. Reigner noted that paddlesports businesses have benefited from these opportunities.
But what about states without an Office of Outdoor Recreation?
Reigner explained that state offices often emerge through one of two paths: leadership within state government or organized advocacy by coalitions of outdoor businesses and nonprofits.
Business participation in those coalitions is particularly important. Outdoor businesses bring an economic perspective that can help elected officials and agency leaders recognize the value of investing in recreation.
For PTC stakeholders, the takeaway is clear: manufacturers, retailers, outfitters, sales representatives, and community organizations have a stronger voice when they work together. Whether advocating for a new state office, improved access, workforce development resources, or small business support, collective industry participation can influence public investment priorities.
Connecting Outdoor Recreation to Healthcare Savings
Reigner also highlighted an opportunity to connect outdoor recreation investments with public health and healthcare economics.
He cited research from Michigan estimating that outdoor physical activities such as walking, running, and biking generate approximately $1.6 billion annually in healthcare cost savings.
In Michigan, that represents approximately $162 per resident, or nearly $500 annually for a three-person household. The research illustrates how outdoor recreation can contribute to public health while potentially reducing healthcare expenditures.
For paddlesports businesses and community organizations, these findings offer another perspective when discussing the value of accessible recreation, instruction, community programs, and opportunities for regular physical activity.
While healthcare savings do not automatically translate into funding for paddlesports, demonstrating health benefits alongside economic and community outcomes can help build partnerships with public health agencies, healthcare organizations, and other potential investors.
Stories Turn Economic Data into Results
Throughout the presentation, Reigner emphasized the importance of connecting economic data with stories about real businesses, communities, and people. The numbers establish the industry's significance. The stories help policymakers understand what those numbers mean in their own communities, who is impacted, and the potential upside of even a small investment.
For paddlesports businesses and organizations, there are several practical ways to get involved:
Find your state Office of Outdoor Recreation. Visit the Confluence of States to explore state connections and learn more about the national movement.
Join or help organize an outdoor business alliance. Collective advocacy can help bring paddlesports priorities into economic development discussions.
Explore funding beyond traditional recreation programs. Tourism, workforce development, small business assistance, economic development, and public health initiatives may offer opportunities for collaboration.
Document your economic and community impact. Jobs, training, visitor spending, participation, and local partnerships help demonstrate the industry's contributions.
Engage elected officials and agency leaders. Share your business's story and explain how investment in paddlesports supports broader community and economic goals.
The central lesson is that outdoor recreation businesses and nonprofits should not wait for resources to appear. They can participate in the conversations that determine how public resources are invested.
Resources:
The Conversation Continues
PTC University brings industry leaders, research, practical resources, and professional development opportunities directly to the paddlesports community.
PTC University continues November 10 with Building a Stronger Paddlesports Ecosystem, the first in a four-part series exploring how paddlesports stakeholders can collaborate to strengthen the industry, support best practices, and grow ongoing participation in your area.
All remaining 2026 PTC University webinars are free and open to everyone. Join to continue to get industry insights after the new year! Only $250 per company!
Thanks to our Sponsors
Special thanks to Nathan Reigner for sharing his expertise and to our PTC University sponsors, Esquif (Gold Sponsor) and Rocky Mountain Rafts (Silver Sponsor), for supporting industry education.
Because a stronger paddlesports industry depends not only on getting more people on the water, but also on making sure our businesses and organizations have a voice in the investments that shape our future.