SAINT PAUL, MN – December 13, 2019 – The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas, along with its outdoor recreation partners, applaud yesterday’s announcement by Governor Tim Walz to create an Outdoor Recreation Task Force in the State of Minnesota. Establishing the Task Force formalizes the state’s commitment to its robust outdoor recreation economy, which employs 101,000 people, and contributes $9.6 billion to Minnesota’s economy.
“Outdoor recreation provides substantial social, economic, and health-related benefits to Minnesotans,” said Governor Tim Walz. “This task force represents a ‘big-tent’ effort to bring together a community of leaders who will make recommendations to make sure Minnesota is second-to-none in outdoor recreation and economic opportunity.”
“This represents a great moment for the State of Minnesota, by recognizing and giving a voice to the enormous economic impact of outdoor recreation and the more than 100,000 jobs it creates in the state,” said Matt Gruhn, president of Minnesota-based Marine Retailers Association of the Americas. “Led by boating and fishing, our robust outdoors industry is eager to join together to ensure Minnesota is leading the nation when it comes to supporting and growing our outdoor recreation system and economy.”
“Interest in outdoor recreation is growing nationally due to the many economic, public health, and social benefits outdoor activities and public lands bring to communities,” said DNR Commissioner Sarah Strommen. “New research shows what Minnesotans have always intuitively known: that life is better when you spend some time outdoors. We want to ensure that Minnesota welcomes all people—regardless of ability or background—to participate in that higher quality of life.”
“While it has always been clear that boating and fishing are cherished pastimes in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, the decision by Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and Explore Minnesota to establish a task force solely focused on promoting and expanding outdoor recreation is an unequivocal testament to our industry’s economic importance in Minnesota,” said Nicole Vasilaros, senior vice president of government and legal affairs at the National Marine Manufacturers Association. “We thank these agencies for giving outdoor recreation the voice it has earned and look forward to working with them and the task force.”
“Recreation in Minnesota, including outdoor activities, is a major sector of a $15.3 billion tourism economy in our state,” said Explore Minnesota Tourism Director John Edman. “We’re eager to collaborate with a diverse group of public, private, tribal and nonprofit organizations to engage more visitors with Minnesota’s outdoor recreation opportunities.”
“The outdoor recreation community has worked collectively before to make great strides, but Minnesota’s announcement of an Outdoor Recreation Task Force is a stunning example of our sector working together with the state to create real support for the growing outdoor recreation economy in Minnesota,” said Jessica Wahl, executive director of Outdoor Recreation Roundtable. “Time and time again we have seen how states with offices of outdoor recreation are better able to leverage their existing outdoor recreation businesses and resources into attracting even more outdoor businesses while increasing the overall recreation economy in those states. ORR is proud of the role our members played in working together to create a Task Force in Minnesota and thrilled to provide continued support for this effort!”
“We applaud Minnesota’s decision to further strengthen the state’s growing outdoor recreation economy by forming of the Outdoor Recreation Task Force,” said Patricia Rojas-Ungar, OIA vice president of government affairs. “This effort sets Minnesota on a path to play an even larger role in advancing the stewardship of its public lands, nurturing the economic development of its recreation assets and increasing access to the great outdoors for its residents and visitors. OIA and its members will continue to champion this national movement to grow outdoor recreation because it’s good for jobs, it’s good for our land and water and it’s good for our children and families.”
“With this announcement, Minnesota becomes the 17th state to create either a Task Force or Recreation Office dedicated to maximizing the social and economic benefits of time outdoors,” said Marc Berejka, Director of Government and Community Affairs for REI Co-op, the nation’s largest consumer cooperative. “The movement now covers over a third of our 50 states, so congratulations to the legislators and agencies that have helped reach that milestone.” He added, “Access to nature is good for our individual wellbeing and the wellbeing of our communities. Stewarding the outdoors is good for the planet and is essential to a sustainable, 21stcentury economy. We look forward to working with the Task Force to help cultivate all of those outcomes across Minnesota.”
The new Outdoor Recreation Task Force, jointly pursued by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and Explore Minnesota, will study and identify the economic opportunities resulting from the state’s bountiful outdoor recreation resources and activities.
The Task Force will be made up of 20 seats, selected through an online application process on the Department of Natural Resources’ website, www.mndnr.gov/ORTF. Applications will be due January 10, 2020.
About the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas
At the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas, we believe that for the marine industry to thrive, the retail organizations that interact with the boaters in their community must thrive. With that in mind, MRAA works to create a strong and healthy boating industry by uniting those retailers, providing them with opportunities for improvement and growth, and representing them with a powerful voice. For more information, visit MRAA.com or contact us at 763-315-8043.
