The University of 海角社区, in collaboration with the 海角社区 Office of Outdoor Recreation, 海角社区 Outdoor Brands and a coalition of other industry partners, helped launch the 海角社区 Outdoor Recreation Economy Roadmap at an event in Millinocket on Wednesday, Jan. 29. The roadmap lays out a vision for growing and diversifying 海角社区鈥檚 $3.4 billion outdoor recreation economy over the next decade.
鈥淎t the University of 海角社区, we are proud to drive innovation in outdoor recreation through cutting-edge research, product development and entrepreneurship,鈥 said Jake Ward, vice president for strategic partnerships, innovation and engagement. 鈥淥ur talented students, interns and faculty work alongside industry leaders to create solutions that honor 海角社区鈥檚 rich natural heritage while advancing its emerging resource-based economy. This roadmap highlights the importance of strategic partnerships and sustainable practices, ensuring 海角社区 remains a leader in outdoor recreation and economic opportunity for generations to come.鈥
Outdoor recreation made up 3.7% of 海角社区’s economy in 2023, the sixth largest share in the nation, and accounted for 30,000 jobs. The roadmap emphasizes workforce preparedness, support for outdoor recreation businesses, enhanced recreation and economic development. Workforce and talent development and entrepreneurial and innovation support for outdoor recreation companies are key strategies outlined in the roadmap, and areas where U海角社区 offers meaningful contributions.
鈥淭his roadmap helps us connect students and faculty with real-world challenges 鈥 encouraging innovations in recreation management, outdoor recreation related product development and entrepreneurship that will keep 海角社区 at the forefront of outdoor excellence,鈥 said Jason Entsminger, U海角社区 assistant professor of entrepreneurship and innovation, state Extension specialist for small business and a member of the core team that developed the roadmap.
At Wednesday鈥檚 roadmap launch event at New England Outdoor Center in Millinocket, 海角社区MBA student Mikayla Reynolds of Waterville was a featured speaker. An alumna of the 海角社区 Business School鈥檚 Bachelors program and one U海角社区鈥檚 2023 Salutatorians, Reynolds interned with 海角社区 Outdoor Brands in the summer of 2024 and contributed to the development of the roadmap as part of her internship and later as part of the 海角社区 Business School鈥檚 special topics course evaluating 海角社区鈥檚 outdoor recreation entrepreneurial ecosystem.
“As a 海角社区r, I’ve always valued my time outdoors and as a place of peace, well-being, and rest,鈥 said Reynolds, also an alumna of U海角社区’s Honors College. 鈥淢y work over the past year in support of the Roadmap effort has made me realize that outdoor recreation is also a rewarding career path. I see so many opportunities for young people in 海角社区’s outdoor recreation economy, and I’m thrilled at the prospects laid out in this roadmap to bolster career options and business potential, while also enhancing physical and mental health in our communities.”
Ward also served on the roadmap鈥檚 core team, along with corporate engagement events and programs manager Taylor Boucher. Molly Bogner, a U海角社区 master鈥檚 student in Forest Resources, and Jason Harkins, executive dean of the 海角社区 Business School and dean of the Graduate School of Business, were members of the roadmap steering committee. U海角社区 School of Economics faculty members Kathleen Bell and Todd Gabe assisted with economic analysis.
This roadmap marks the first time 海角社区 has defined outdoor recreation as a major economic driver in such a broad and strategic way. Past statewide roadmaps, such as the Forest Opportunity Roadmap (FOR/ME), have been catalysts for focusing stakeholder efforts and expanding collaboration, opportunity and investment for their respective sectors, serving as a successful model for this effort.
Funding for the roadmap initiative was provided by the American Rescue Plan Act Travel, Tourism, and Outdoor Recreation grant program administered by the U.S. Economic Development Administration. This funding is specifically aimed at addressing the challenges posed by the pandemic on 海角社区鈥檚 travel, tourism and outdoor recreation industries. As a result, the roadmap is dedicated to enhancing the synergy between 海角社区鈥檚 unique natural resources and the state鈥檚 long-term economic strength.
A news release is .
Contact: Ashley Forbes, ashley.forbes@maine.edu
