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Vermont outdoor-recreation leaders press for steady grant funding, new economic study and workforce support
Summary
Industry groups, adaptive-recreation providers and local businesses told a joint legislative hearing that outdoor recreation is a major economic driver for Vermont and urged predictable community grants, a modern economic impact study (S.327) and investments in workforce training and permitting reform.
State legislators heard more than four hours of testimony Feb. 5 from outdoor recreation businesses, nonprofits and municipal managers who urged steady funding, a statewide economic-impact study and regulatory fixes to support an industry they said underpins rural economies.
At a joint hearing of the House Commerce and Economic Development Committee and the Senate Economic Development, Housing & General Affairs committee, witnesses described the scope of the sector and specific requests for action. "The economic engine for the state is Vermont's outdoor sector," Kelly Alt, executive director of the Vermont Outdoor Business Alliance, told lawmakers. Testimony cited a recent estimate placing outdoor recreation’s contribution to Vermont’s economy at roughly $2.1 billion and linked that activity to thousands of jobs statewide.
Advocates pressed two near-term funding priorities. Several witnesses noted the governor’s recommended budget includes…
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