It’s no secret that outdoors recreation in Montana is big business. Gov. Steve Bullock wants to see the growth continue.
The state’s outdoor recreation economy generates more than $7.1 billion in annual consumer spending and employs more than 71,000 people each year, making it the second largest sector of the state’s economy, according to the Montana Department of Labor & Industry.
In response to those statistics, the Montana Office of Outdoor Recreation will host the Business of Outdoor Recreation Summit Dec. 4-5 at Grouse Mountain Lodge in Whitefish. Summit organizers want to bring together leaders, community members, recreation and conservation groups from Montana and the Greater Crown of the Continent, including Alberta and British Columbia, to provide a platform to discuss promoting and strengthening outdoor recreation and the economic activity it supports.
“Outdoor recreation, especially on our public lands, is central to Montana’s economy and Montanans’ way of life,” Bullock said. “We’ll be bringing folks together from all across the state to identify opportunities to further invest in our outdoors in order to keep our economy thriving and keep Montana the best place to live, work, play and raise a family.”