Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) applauds the House and Senate passage of the Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act of 2024, which includes language reauthorizing the Economic Development Administration (EDA) for the first time in two decades. This landmark legislation not only modernizes EDA’s authority to strengthen local economies, but also acknowledges the significance of outdoor recreation as an economic driver for rural communities for the first time and explicitly authorizes outdoor recreation projects as an eligible use of EDA funding. This is a major achievement for rural communities and their resiliency, small businesses, job creation, economic development nationwide, and a strengthened commitment to the great outdoors.
The Economic Development Reauthorization Act of 2024 sets a new precedent by recognizing outdoor recreation as a cornerstone of the rural economy. It mandates prioritization in funding opportunities for infrastructure grants within the EDA’s public works program to support outdoor recreation. This legislation will grow the public works program’s funding for communities to invest in recreation infrastructure such as boat ramps, trails, and campgrounds. These investments are critical for the expansion of Main Street economies, ensuring a sustainable economic future and enhancing the quality of life for residents across the nation.
“This legislative milestone is a testament to the undeniable value of outdoor recreation to America’s rural economies and the overall well-being of our communities,” said Jessica Turner, President of Outdoor Recreation Roundtable. “By creating new investment opportunities in outdoor recreation infrastructure, planning and jobs, this legislation is acknowledging the transformative power of this industry that supports every corner of the country. This is an investment in sustainable and authentic economic growth, public health, and community well-being. We are grateful to Majority Leader Schumer, Chair Carper, Ranking Member Capito, Chair Graves, and Ranking Member Larsen for spearheading this effort and are excited about the momentum to unlock new opportunities for outdoor recreation in their states and across the country.”
The bipartisan Economic Development Reauthorization Act of 2024 marks the first reauthorization of the EDA in nearly two decades. The bill’s focus on modernizing the EDA’s core programs—including workforce development, disaster assistance, broadband deployment, and renewable energy initiatives—complements its new emphasis on outdoor recreation.
In October, ORR hosted its inaugural National Leadership Forum on Rural Development through Outdoor Recreation in Pittsburgh. The event brought together national leaders in economic development, outdoor recreation, and conservation to identify shared priorities and core opportunities for rural communities looking to enhance their economies through outdoor recreation. ORR also released the second edition of its Rural Economic Development Toolkit earlier this year. This essential resource, built upon three years of extensive research across the United States, is a comprehensive guide for communities looking to strengthen their economies through outdoor recreation. As part of this research, ORR is also aggregating a list of communities seeking support in rural economic development through outdoor recreation–now at over 160 communities.