Shaheen Celebrates $1.3 Trillion Economic Contribution by Outdoor Recreation in 2024, $4.2 Billion Added to New Hampshire’s Economy

**The economic impact report is a result of a bipartisan Shaheen-led bill that was signed into law in 2016**
(Washington, DC) – Today, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) applauded the release of an annualreport by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), showing a $1.3 trillion total output by the outdoor recreation sector in 2024, including adding $4.2 billion to New Hampshire’s economy. In New Hampshire, outdoor recreation’s share of GDP grew to 3.5%, which is among the top ten states in the nation. More than 33,000 people in the Granite State work in outdoor recreation, reflecting a 2.2% increase in employment in the industry. The Outdoor Recreation Satellite Account estimate, provided by the BEA through the U.S. Department of Commerce, is a result of Shaheen’s bipartisan?Outdoor Recreation Jobs and Economic Impact Actthat?was signed into law in 2016.
“New Hampshire’s diverse outdoor spaces are what make the Granite State so special. From the shores of the Seacoast to our Lakes Region and the White Mountains, outdoor recreation enriches local economies, small businesses and communities across our state,”said Senator Shaheen.“As today’s report makes clear, New Hampshire’s outdoor economy is thriving. I am proud to have led the legislation that requires this annual report, and I look forward to continuing to champion programs like the Land and Water Conservation Fund that protect and provide access to treasured places from the Appalachian Trail to local parks.”
Prior to 2017, the federal government did not measure the economic impact of outdoor recreation, despite independent estimates, including the Outdoor Industry Association’s (OIA) report. Shaheen’s?Outdoor Recreation Jobs and Economic Impact Act?required the federal government to measure the sector’s impact on the economy to help inform policy makers and business leaders about the number of jobs created and consumer spending driven by outdoor recreation industries. The law also requires that the Commerce Department submit a comprehensive analysis to Congress capturing the outdoor recreation sector’s contribution to the economy.
Shaheen has remained a committed advocate for New Hampshire’s outdoor economy during her career in Congress. In theInterior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2026, Shaheenhelped securefunding from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) for New Hampshire for parks, forests and other outdoor recreation development. Last year, Shaheen introduced the bipartisanSnow Survey Northeast Expansion Actto expand weather monitoring stations to support local communities and small businesses that rely on snowfall and supported theSki Hill Resources for Economic Development (SHRED) Actto fuel investment in outdoor recreation in mountain communities. In 2020, Shaheenhelped leadtheGreat American Outdoors Actinto law to permanently, fully fund the Land Water Conservation Fund and provide mandatory funding for deferred maintenance on public lands. Shaheen also joined colleagues in introducing the bipartisanAmerica the Beautiful Actto continue addressing deferred maintenance in national forests, national parks and other public lands.
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