U.S. Senator Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) and U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) introduced the Rural Outdoor Investment Act to promote economic growth in rural communities through strategic investment in outdoor recreation. This legislation would provide $50 million a year in recreation and economic development funding to rural communities across the country working to revitalize and grow their economies through the outdoor recreation industry.
“From skiing our mountains in the winter to floating our rivers in the summer, Colorado is home to some of the best outdoor recreation in the country,” said Bennet. “As demand for outdoor recreation grows, it’s important that our investments benefit local communities, businesses, and families themselves. Our legislation will help rural areas across Colorado manage the growth around the outdoor industry in a sustainable way that creates local jobs, boosts the economy, and meets the unique needs of each community.”
“From the trails of the Adirondack Mountains to waters of the Finger Lakes, outdoor recreation is the lifeblood of so many of Upstate New York’s communities, especially our rural areas. Since the start of the pandemic, people’s passion for the outdoors has only grown, but investment for this vital economic engine has remained trapped inside,” said Schumer. “That is why I was proud to introduce the Rural Outdoor Investment Act with Senator Bennet, to hike up federal resources for communities across New York, boosting tourism, supporting small businesses, and strengthening our outdoor recreation economies. This bill will jump-start economic recovery from the pandemic for some of our most underserved areas, create good-paying jobs, and give a breath of fresh air to our main streets across New York.”
Over the past several decades, demand for outdoor recreation has grown — especially during the pandemic. Well-planned investments in outdoor infrastructure and related businesses is essential to boost rural economies and help them meet this growing demand. This legislation invests in three critical areas:
- Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure, including boat ramps, parking at trailheads, picnic areas and other outdoor facilities.
- Planning to support communities that want to create an outdoor experience that meets expectations and grows Main Street.
- Business Assistance to support recreation related businesses such as: vehicle, gear, and equipment rentals; shuttles; guides and outfitters; in addition to hotels, restaurants and retail.
The Rural Outdoor Investment Act promotes collaboration between the Economic Development Administration, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development, and Small Business Administration to educate communities and businesses about existing federal resources like grants and business loans. It would also authorize funding for the Recreation Economy for Rural Communities Program at USDA and the Environmental Protection Agency to provide planning assistance grants to support rural economies through outdoor recreation.
“The Rural Outdoor Investment Act will make Colorado even more fun and amazing. The Rural Outdoor Investment Act is a winning idea for Colorado’s rural communities, will help create good jobs and ensure our outdoor recreation economies continue to thrive. I thank Senator Bennet for showing Congress how Colorado’s own efforts to support outdoor recreation and economic development by lowering costs for Coloradans, creating new state parks and maintaining our existing parks, while partnering with local governments, will continue to create jobs and help our nation’s economy,” said Colorado Governor Jared Polis.
The Rural Outdoor Investment Act Includes:
- $30 million for public works through EDA to fund necessary infrastructure improvements from signage, to boat ramps, to new trails.
- $5 million for planning grants through EDA for communities to create recreation economy plans that optimize their natural opportunities including marketing, branding, business development, fundraising, tourism management.
- $2.5 million in university partnerships to promote place-based research, education and technical assistance to local stakeholders and businesses for this high growth sector.
- $12.5 million for the Recreation Economy for Rural Communities grants for main street revitalization through outdoor recreation.
For over a decade, Bennet has worked with Coloradans to protect the state’s precious natural resources while boosting the economy that depends on them. That includes developing the Colorado Outdoor Recreation and Economy (CORE) Act. Last year, Bennet, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), and U.S. Representative Joe Neguse (D-Colo.) introduced this legislation to grow Colorado’s outdoor recreation economy and protect over 400,000 acres of public land in the state, establishing new wilderness, recreation, and conservation areas, and safeguarding existing outdoor recreation opportunities.