New Hampshire establishes outdoor recreation office

Governor Chris Sununu recently signed legislation establishing the Office of Outdoor Recreation Industry Development within the New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs (BEA), drawing praise from NMMA and its outdoor recreation industry coalition partners. This legislation formalizes the state’s commitment to the businesses, natural assets, and attractions that make up the outdoor recreation industry, which employs nearly 38,000 people in New Hampshire and accounts for 3.3 percent of the GDP.

“New Hampshire’s low tax environment and booming economy are a beacon for business in the northeast,” said Governor Chris Sununu. “This office will allow us to better leverage the tremendous outdoor recreation opportunities we have here in the Granite State to not only grow the industry, but attract the workforce of the future.”

The new office of Outdoor Recreation Industry Development will be dedicated to connecting outdoor lifestyle to economic growth policies, making New Hampshire the 16th state to create an office or taskforce focused on expanding outdoor recreation opportunities.

The director position will be posted soon after BEA formally sets up the newly created office in Concord. Additional responsibilities will include coordinating policy, management and promotion at the local, state and federal levels and promoting job growth through collaborating with a variety of businesses and economic development partners throughout the state.

For more information, visit www.nheconomy.com or www.choosenh.com.