For many communities, the outdoor economy is still treated as a soft amenity rather than a serious economic lever, even though it generates over $650 billion in economic impact each year.

In this episode, Ross Berlin, Senior Consultant at Fourth Economy, makes the case for why that needs to change. We dig into how outdoor assets connect directly to talent attraction in the modern economic development equation, get practical about the challenges (seasonality, overcrowding, equity of access), and how communities can work through them to maximize the economic impact of what they already have.

00:00 Why outdoor recreation matters as an economic development topic

02:45 The data and impact

05:45 Defining the outdoor economy (it's bigger than you think)

08:33 Benefits of investing in outdoor recreation

11:38 Challenges economic developers face

14:31 Competition between communities

17:42 How outdoor rec fits into talent attraction campaigns

20:41 Preservation and "champagne problems"

24:58 Equity and inclusion in outdoor recreation

28:27 Final thoughts and fun closing question

Resources Mentioned:

• The Amenity Trap: https://headwaterseconomics.org/outdoor-recreation/amenity-trap/

At Livability, we highlight the nation's most vibrant small and mid-sized cities as a trusted voice for communities across America. We help places attract talent and reach target companies through digital content and print magazine programs.

Be sure to subscribe so you're alerted when we release new episodes. Learn more about us at LivabilityMedia.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Have an idea for an upcoming episode? Email host Amanda Ellis at [email protected].

Inside America's Best Cities is produced by SpeakEasy Productions.