Economics of Outdoor Recreation in Alabama Tom Allen com
57% of Americans (and Alabama residents) participate in some form of outdoor recreation Outdoor recreation is a key “industry” The economic contributions are growing Clean water and healthy environment are the “industry infrastructure” for outdoor recreation Outdoor Recreation is BIG!
Outdoor Recreation Activities Total Spending ($ billion) Trail sports $ 80.6 Bicycling $ 81.3 Camping $ Snow sports $ 53.0 Water sports $ 86.2 Fishing $ 35.5 Hunting $ 23.2 Wildlife watching $ 33.3 Motorcycle Riding $ 42.5 Off Roading $ 66.5 TOTAL $ Consumer Spending on Outdoor Recreation in U.S. Source: Outdoor Industry Association
“Jobs vs. Environment”
Conservation Investments: Alabama Source of Funding$ MillionAL %US % Federal govt. $ %60% State govt. $ %24% Local govt.* $ 9.22%4% Private sector $ %11% Total $ % *Includes only funds transferred from state government for selected conservation purposes.
Economic Contributions of Conservation Spending in AL Direct Impacts Total Impacts* ($ million) Total Spending $ $ Jobs 3,2145,675 Income $ $ State/Local Taxes $ 12.9 $ 27.9 Federal Taxes $ 44.6 $ 64.7 *includes multiplier effects Source: National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
Outdoor Recreation in Alabama
Outdoor Recreation Participation in Alabama Non-motorizedMotorized Trail Sports29%Motorcycling11% Bicycling27%Off-roading18% Camping23%Boating21% Water Sports15%RV'ing10% sub-total52%sub-total36% Overall = 57% Source: Outdoor Industry Association
Economic Contributions of Outdoor Recreation: Alabama Direct Spending Economic Contributions ($ million) Spending $ 7,548.5$ 10,895.8 Gross State Product $ 3,089.3$ 5,928.1 Jobs 85, ,249.4 Income $ 1,982.9$ 3,636.9 Federal Taxes $ 480.6$ State/Local Taxes $ 493.6$ Source: Outdoor Industry Association
Outdoor Recreation Case Study: Lake Martin
Recreational Activity on Lake Martin, AL Pleasure boating 26.2% No specific activity 20.2% Fishing from boat 20.2% Swimming, beach use 15.1% Water skiing, tubing, other towing 6.8% Fishing from shore 3.5% Tent or vehicle camping 2.8% Jet skiing 1.5% Other 3.7% Total 100.0%
Annual Recreation Spending at Lake Martin, AL Trip-related spending Transportation $ 4,448,013 Food & beverages $ 3,593,558 Trip-related gear and services $ 461,592 Lodging $ 632,323 Miscellaneous $ 623,182 Sub-total $ 9,758,667 Equipment and accessories Boats & trailers $ 27,881,720 Boat accessories & repairs $ 4,331,428 Fishing equipment $ 858,862 Sub-total $ 33,072,010 Total Recreation Spending: $ 42,830,677
Economic Contributions of Outdoor Recreation at Lake Martin, AL Direct Spending Multiplier EffectTotal Output $ 42,830,677 $ 10,213,280 $ 50,667,180 Income $ 6,801,174 $ 3,048,858 $ 9,850,032 Employment Federal Taxes $ 1,975,430 State & Local Taxes $ 2,058,056
85,800 direct Alabama jobs $2.0 Billion of income 2.1% of state private GDP Almost 3x more jobs than auto mfg and as much income Nearly 2x income of paper industry Outdoor Recreation
Federal Funding for Conservation
New Information! Economic information is a communication tool!
Questions? Tom Allen