September 10, 2025 - Mechanicsburg, PA
Governor Josh Shapiro announced new steps his Administration is taking to help outdoor businesses grow, connect with workers, and compete in Pennsylvania's economy. Joined by Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Dunn, DCNR Director of Outdoor Recreation Nathan Reigner, REI President & CEO Mary Beth Laughton, and Aliner President & CEO Brett Randall at the REI store in Cumberland County, Governor Shapiro laid out concrete steps to grow the outdoor recreation economy, following the Administration's work to grow the $19 billion industry, which now supports more than 168,000 jobs statewide. From day one, Governor Shapiro has made outdoor recreation and tourism a central part of his economic development strategy. In 2023, he launched the Office of Outdoor Recreation to connect Pennsylvania's public lands, businesses, and workers - and in 2024, created the Outdoor Business Alliance of Pennsylvania (OBA PA), a statewide network now implementing a business growth plan shaped by more than 1,000 Pennsylvania companies and industry leaders. When it was launched in 2023, Pennsylvania became the largest state in the nation with a dedicated office focused on the outdoor recreation industry."Pennsylvania is a national leader in outdoor recreation - and my Administration is competitive as hell to make sure we're at the very top," said Governor Shapiro. "When we invest in outdoor recreation, we create good-paying jobs, support thriving main streets, and build stronger rural and urban economies. Two years ago, we stood up the Office of Outdoor Recreation to put Pennsylvania on the map - and today, we're delivering real results for small businesses, workers, and communities across our Commonwealth."List of Speakers:Rebecca Sheetz, Store Manager, REI MechanicsburgGovernor Josh Shapiro Nathan Reigner, DCNR Director of Outdoor Recreation Mary Beth Laughton, REI President & CEO Silas Chamberlin, Interim Executive Director, Outdoor Business Alliance of PABrett Randall, Aliner President & CEO
An Official Pennsylvania Government Website