Boating Industry representative testifies before Congress

Boating Industry representative testifies before Congress © National Marine Manufacturers Association

Yesterday, John Wooden, founder and owner of Minnesota-based River Valley Power and Sport testified before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Small Business.

The hearing - titled "Force of Nature: The Power of Small Businesses in America's Recreational Infrastructure" - served as a platform to examine the economic impact of outdoor recreational infrastructure, how small businesses contribute to the industry, and how the federal government can ensure the industry continues to positively impact the economy through a comprehensive infrastructure package.

"Just last month, the Bureau of Economic Analysis released an updated report reaffirming the outdoor recreation's role as a significant economic driver. This newly released economic data on the national and, for the first time ever, state levels reinforce what the outdoor recreation industry has long believed - outdoor recreation is a powerful driver of national and local economies and it is growing faster than the U.S. economy as a whole," said John Wooden. "The federal government manages hundreds of millions of acres of public lands [and] waters that offer unparalleled opportunities for variety of recreational activities. These recreation assets... are integral to keeping the outdoor industry open for business."

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