The Indiana Senate Natural Resources committee unanimously approved Senate Concurrent Resolution #15, which calls for establishing an Indiana Office of Outdoor Recreation Development. The resolution outlines the Office’s priorities and encourages it to be established within the Indiana Destination Development Corporation. The priorities detailed in the resolution include increasing outdoor recreation-based economic development, tourism, and ecotourism, promoting the growth of the outdoor recreation economy, and promoting the health and social benefits of outdoor recreation.

Outdoor recreation accounts for 2.2 percent of total gross domestic product (GDP) nationally. In Indiana, outdoor recreation generates an economic impact of $9.7 billion in consumer spending and accounts for 108,000 jobs across the state. The recreational boating industry in Indiana accounts for $4.1 billion in economic impact annually, resulting in 14,265 jobs and 398 businesses.