The Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) released data proving what we already knew: recreational boating is a major generator of economic activity across the nation. Outdoor recreation generates $778 billion in gross annual input, or 2.2 percent of annual U.S. GDP, while supporting 5.2 million jobs. This makes the industry larger than mining, utilities, farming and ranching, and chemical products manufacturing. Boating and fishing are the largest economic generators for the outdoor recreation industry. This data is thanks to the BEA’s Outdoor Recreation Satellite Account, created in 2016 by a law championed by Senator Cory Gardiner (R-CO) and Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH).  Want to see how boating affects your state? Check out the data here.