Industry

There are so many industries that support people getting outside and exploring thier environment. These include, but are not limited to, clothing brands like Patagonia and Northface, and countless gear companies selling items like mountaineering gear, camping equipment, and much more! 

Around the Twin Cities, there are lots of local examples of outdoor industry in action, from Midwest Mountaineering to Perennial Cycle. In terms of apparell, Great Lakes Northern Outfitter is an amazing local brand selling items ranging from flannels to baseball caps. 

In the interview below, learn more about starting a business and the ins and outs of entrepreneurship. 

Spencer Barrett 

Meet Spencer, co-founder of Great Lakes Clothing. Along with David Burke, they started the brand ten years ago. In terms of advice, Spencer emphasizes the importance of following your passions, a lot of your time is spent focused on your career, make it count!

Facts and Figures

In 2019, the outdoor recreation economy (ORE) accounted for 2.1% ($459.8 billion) of the GDP. According to the Outdoor Industry Association, in 2017, ORE provided 7.6 million jobs and $65.3 billion in federal tax revenue. 

To gain more insight, please take a look at The Outdoor Recreation Economy below. It explains the importance of this industry as an economic engine, its growing job creation, and how it helps support healthy communities.