{"id":431,"date":"2019-09-11T22:04:59","date_gmt":"2019-09-12T02:04:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/outdoorsportsnation.com\/?p=431"},"modified":"2019-09-17T22:07:08","modified_gmt":"2019-09-18T02:07:08","slug":"michigan-joins-national-effort-to-promote-outdoor-recreation-industry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/outdoorsportsnation.com\/michigan-joins-national-effort-to-promote-outdoor-recreation-industry\/michigandnr\/outdoor-lifestyle\/09\/11\/2019\/431\/","title":{"rendered":"Michigan joins national effort to promote outdoor recreation industry"},"content":{"rendered":"

Contact:<\/span>\u00a0Tiffany Brown, BrownT56@Michigan.gov or Brad Garmon (Office of Outdoor Recreation Industry), GarmonB@Michigan.gov<\/p>\n

Sept. 11, 2019<\/p>\n

Whitmer names Brad Garmon director of the Office of Outdoor Recreation Industry<\/em><\/p>\n

LANSING, Mich. \u2014 Gov. Gretchen Whitmer today gathered with state, retail and nonprofit representatives of Michigan\u2019s outdoor recreation industry to showcase the industry\u2019s value and preview the move, this October, to officially join the Confluence of States. The Confluence is a growing national effort to build public awareness about the economic, social and public health benefits of outdoor play and provide a unified voice for the diverse businesses and organizations that make up the industry.<\/p>\n

Representatives of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the Outdoor Recreation Advisory Council, Woosah Outfitters and recreation industry leaders joined Whitmer at the Outside Coffee Co. in Grand Rapids for an \u201cAfternoon for the Outdoors.\u201d It was an opportunity to talk about the state\u2019s booming recreation economy, the changing industry landscape and next steps to ensure Michigan is helping to drive the national discussion on outdoor recreation.<\/p>\n

\u201cFrom the Great Lakes to our expansive forest lands to a vast network of trails, Michigan boasts unparalleled natural resources and countless opportunities for outdoor recreation,\u201d Whitmer said. \u201cOur state is well positioned to be a leader in this new effort to support and promote the outdoor recreation economy. By partnering with a consortium of states dedicated to promoting the outdoor recreation industry, we will make sure that our work aligns with others who share our values in prioritizing conservation and stewardship, health and wellness, growing our workforce and strengthening our economy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chris MacInnes is president of Crystal Mountain Ski Resort and co-chair of the Outdoor Recreation Advisory Council. She described the move to elevate the state nationally as \u201con target.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAs owner of an outdoor recreation-based business whose value is tied to the character and quality of the natural environment, Michigan\u2019s decision to sign on to the national Confluence Accords is a big deal that we enthusiastically support,\u201d MacInnes said. \u201cWe believe it will give Michigan access to best practices of other members, who also value outdoor resources and understand their connection to a thriving state economy and quality of life.\u201d<\/p>\n

NEW DIRECTOR NAMED<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"BradDuring today\u2019s event, Whitmer introduced Brad Garmon as the new director of Michigan\u2019s Office of Outdoor Recreation Industry. Garmon most recently was the interim CEO of the Michigan Environmental Council in Lansing. Before that, he served as the council\u2019s director of Conservation and Emerging Issues, a role created specifically to support and build stronger alliances between outdoor recreation, economic development and natural resource stewardship.
\nGarmon also has served on Michigan\u2019s State Parks and Outdoor Recreation Blue Ribbon Panel; advised the state on its public land strategy, water strategy and tourism strategic plan; and been a member of the Michigan Heritage Leadership Council and the state\u2019s Pigeon River Country Advisory Council.”Historically, Michigan has been a national leader in conservation and recreation issues \u2013 from inspiring a young Ernest Hemingway to creating the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund that’s become a national model for recreation funding,\u201d Garmon said.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow it’s time to apply that tradition of national leadership to the outdoor recreation economy, which is 2.2% of the national GDP already and growing faster than the economy overall,\u201d he said. \u201cMichigan has several major outdoor vehicle, gear and apparel manufacturers headquartered right here that need workers, and lots of small or startup businesses in this space that are positioned to grow. This office will help make that recruitment and growth happen.”<\/p>\n

Chris Lampen-Crowell, co-owner of Gazelle Sports and member of the Outdoor Recreation Advisory Council, said the hiring of Garmon as full-time director for Michigan\u2019s Office of Outdoor Recreation Industry is a critical step for integrating, aligning and supporting the state\u2019s diverse outdoor economy.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs a small business owner with great love for our state\u2019s outdoors, I feel strongly that we not only promote and protect the outdoors, but support the business communities that passionately provide the tools, knowledge and guidance to experience Michigan\u2019s vast outdoor experiences,\u201d Lampen-Crowell said. \u201cThe businesses that make up Michigan\u2019s outdoor economy now have the ability to play a larger role in how the State works to support us, but even more important will be how we will build on the emerging opportunities to grow our businesses through an amplified effort together.\u201d<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

WHAT ARE THE CONFLUENCE ACCORDS?<\/h3>\n

The\u00a0Confluence Accords<\/a>\u00a0were drafted in January 2018 in Denver, and then finalized and signed by eight original states: Colorado, Montana, North Carolina, Oregon, Utah, Vermont, Washington and Wyoming. Michigan and Maine expect to sign the accords in October, and the consortium effectively has issued an open invitation to every state in the nation to join the\u00a0Confluence of States<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In order to be eligible to join the Confluence of States, a state must do the following:<\/p>\n