UNH Cooperative Extension Celebrates "New Hampshire Outdoor Industry Day"

The University of New Hampshire and Cooperative Extension have been at the forefront of supporting the State’s natural assets and the communities that depend upon them. Over the years, our Community & Economic Development team has built a national reputation for our work in nature-based economic development. This work touches many aspects of the Outdoor Economy. Our Downtowns & Trails program, numerous academies, economic analyses and collaborative efforts including the Nature Economy Collaborative and Developing Interconnections for Regional Trails (DIRT) drive economic development at the intersection of recreation, tourism, workforce and business recruitment and retention. These efforts also support community and regional decision making focused on improving quality of life. 

We are fortunate to partner with the State’s Business and Economic Affairs office, including its specific Office of Outdoor Recreation Industry Development (ORID) as it has grown its work in the Outdoor Economy in recent years. On June 10, 2025, New Hampshire Governor Kelly Ayotte proclaimed the day the first ever “New Hampshire Outdoor Industry Day” at an event in Manchester organized by Granite Outdoor Alliance and ORID. The proclamation solidified the importance of the outdoors in New Hampshire’s economy and in the quality of life we enjoy. The proclamation underscores the $3.9 billion annual impact of New Hampshire’s outdoor industry, which supports over 30,000 jobs and more than 1,000 small businesses statewide.

An exhibit of many of New Hampshire’s outdoor brands and organizations followed, where Extension and several academic departments (Recreation Management & Policy and Natural Resources & the Environment) were featured. Throughout the day, Extension educators connected with community members, elected officials, and fellow stakeholders to discuss strategies for strengthening the outdoor industry and highlighting its significance to local economies. UNH staff also had the opportunity to meet one-on-one with BEA Commissioner Taylor Caswell, who praised the university and Cooperative Extension for their continued efforts to support and elevate this growing sector.

The Outdoor Economy is a vibrant and promising part of New Hampshire’s overall economy and we look forward to continued collaboration with state and non-profit partners in this space for years to come.