Boating and Fishing Continue to Power North Carolina’s Outdoor Recreation Economy | Letters
In a year of closures and economic hardship, Americans have sought to spend more time in the great outdoors. Here in North Carolina, the boating and fishing industry has been a key driver of economic activity in 2020, and the industry is poised to reach new heights in the years to come.
A new report from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis shows us just how big an impact boating and fishing are.
Nationally, outdoor recreation accounts for $ 689 billion in economic activity and 4.3 million jobs, with boating and fishing the largest contributor to the segment. Boating and fishing are also paving the way for North Carolina’s $ 10 billion outdoor recreation economy, which collectively accounts for more than 123,000 jobs in Tar Heel state.
Our state is blessed with a beautiful natural environment – mountains, campgrounds, forests, lakes, rivers and shorelines – making our state the perfect place to experience or rediscover the great outdoors. With this renewed appreciation of nature comes opportunities for economic growth, job creation, and strengthening American manufacturing.
As more Americans ply the open waters, boat builders are eager to make significant contributions to our economy in a post-pandemic world.
Editor’s Note: The author is co-founder and president of Regulator Marine in Edenton.