March 5, 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New Federal Data Confirms Outdoor Recreation as a Pillar of New Hampshire’s Economy

In coordination with the New Hampshire Office of Outdoor Recreation Industry Development and U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen

Concord, NH: Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) released its latest Outdoor Recreation Satellite Account data, reaffirming outdoor recreation as a primary economic driver in New Hampshire and across the nation.

According to the latest figures, outdoor recreation contributed $[NH GDP] billion to New Hampshire’s economy, accounting for [NH %] percent of the state’s gross domestic product and supporting [NH jobs] jobs statewide, or [NH workforce %] percent of total employment. The sector generated $[NH wages] billion in wages and compensation across the Granite State.

Nationally, outdoor recreation accounts for $[National GDP] trillion in economic output and supports [national jobs] million jobs, representing [National %] percent of U.S. GDP. While national growth trends [stabilized year-over-year], New Hampshire continues to rank among the top states for outdoor recreation as a share of GDP, underscoring the structural importance of the sector to the state’s economy.

“Outdoor recreation is not a peripheral sector in New Hampshire, it is a central pillar of our economic landscape,” said Tyler Ray, Director of Granite Outdoor Alliance. “The latest data underscores the outdoor sector’s role in driving jobs, wages, small business vitality, and regional investment across the state. As we look ahead, maintaining our competitive edge will require treating this sector as a strategic asset and aligning policy, infrastructure, and workforce systems to support its long-term growth.”

The data reflects continued strength across key activity areas in New Hampshire, including [top activity 1 – $], [top activity 2 – $], and [top activity 3 – $], reinforcing the breadth of the outdoor economy across tourism, manufacturing, retail, and service sectors. Additionally, the data highlights the resilience of New Hampshire’s outdoor sector amid economic headwinds, workforce challenges, housing constraints, and rising operational and supply chain costs.

“[Reliable data like this allows New Hampshire to plan intentionally for growth],” said Janel Lawton, Director of the New Hampshire Office of Outdoor Recreation Industry Development. “[ORID QUOTE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY, RURAL VITALITY, WORKFORCE PIPELINES, LONG-TERM COMPETITIVENESS] or [Outdoor recreation connects economic development with quality of life, workforce recruitment, and community vitality. By aligning infrastructure, business support, and long-term planning, we can ensure this sector continues to deliver measurable benefits across the state.]”

The Outdoor Recreation Satellite Account was authorized through bipartisan legislation led by U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen, ensuring consistent measurement of the industry’s economic impact nationwide.

“[SEN. SHAHEEN QUOTE – on authorizing data collection, importance of measurement, supporting small businesses, national competitiveness, and informed policymaking].”

As New Hampshire continues to compete for workforce talent, business investment, and infrastructure funding, the updated data provides critical insight for policymakers and industry leaders planning for long-term growth and economic resilience.

With [ranking if applicable – e.g., Top 10 nationally as % of GDP], New Hampshire remains one of the nation’s most outdoor-reliant economies.

The full BEA report is available at: [link]

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About Granite Outdoor Alliance 

Granite Outdoor Alliance is a non-profit business alliance that supports New Hampshire's outdoor industry, including brands, retailers, nonprofits, and industry stakeholders and professionals. With over 130 business members statewide, Granite Outdoor works to advance outdoor recreation as a strategic driver of economic development, workforce growth, and community vitality in New Hampshire.

Media Contact:

Tyler T. Ray
Director
Granite Outdoor Alliance
tyler@graniteoutdoor.org
(603) 728-7739