Gov. Shapiro launches Outdoor Business Alliance to support Pennsylvania’s outdoor economy

SELINSGROVE — On Wednesday, Gov. Josh Shapiro, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn and Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding visited ski and snowboard manufacturer Gilson Snow in Snyder County to launch the Pennsylvania Outdoor Business Alliance.

The Office of Outdoor Recreation was launched with a mission to make Pennsylvania the national leader in outdoor recreation and job creation. Outdoor recreation adds $17 billion annually to Pennsylvania’s economy and supports 164,000 jobs. The Alliance aims to create opportunities for outdoor recreation businesses to collaborate with one another, develop a one-stop shop for questions related to permits and regulations, and help Pennsylvania small businesses compete in the national outdoor recreation economy.

“Outdoor recreation and tourism are already major economic drivers in Pennsylvania — I want to capitalize on that and do more to help connect the dots between businesses like Gilson Snow that support the commonwealth’s outdoor recreation economy so they can help each other grow and succeed,” said Shapiro. “That’s why my administration is creating the Pennsylvania Outdoor Business Alliance to help Pennsylvania small businesses compete in the national outdoor recreation economy.”

DCNR is working with the Southern Alleghenies Planning and Development Commission to bring together stakeholders and build structure for the Alliance.

“Pennsylvania’s parks and forests, mountains and lakes, trails and rivers are the roots of our outdoor industry, and from them our economic prosperity and wellbeing can grow,” said Dunn.

The Alliance was a recommendation of the Growing Outdoor Recreation for Pennsylvania roadmap.

“The outdoor industry is much larger, more diversified and more advanced than meets the eye — it includes producers like Gilson Snow, providers of outdoor experiences, and a host of professionals, and we’ve met a lot of them standing up our new office,” said Pennsylvania Director of Outdoor Recreation Nathan Reigner. “This new Alliance will be there to advocate for them and what they need so that the commonwealth can better support their business.”

Gilson Snow partners with the Pittsburgh-based

Outdoor Inclusion Coalition, a nonprofit founded to progress the pressing questions of diversity and inclusion in the outdoor industry, to show young people that the outdoors are more than just a place to have fun and spend time in nature. Through this partnership, youth are exposed to career opportunities in production, design, marketing and management at Gilson Snow and build community through the outdoors.

“In Pennsylvania, we have an impressive economic ecosystem that was critical in helping us rebuild after losing our facility to a massive fire in 2022, and this ecosystem continues to support our vision for broadening access to the outdoors,” said Nick Gilson, founder and CEO of Gilson Snow. “Our business is thriving on a national and global level because of the resources and partnerships we have right here in the commonwealth, from the sustainably harvested timber in our forests to the brilliantly creative designers we have pushing the limits of what’s possible. We are excited to be here today to support the vision of an Outdoor Business Alliance alongside great partners.”

“Partnering with Gilson Snow helps us provide young people with meaningful connections to the outdoors, which in turn inspires the next generation of workers in outdoor recreation and conservation,” said Marcus Shoffner, president and CEO of the Outdoor Inclusion Coalition. “I am excited to see development in an Outdoor Business Alliance and see this initiative as a tremendous opportunity to help make even more meaningful connections that help expand opportunities for youth all over Pennsylvania.”