Office of Governor Tony Evers *FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:* January 26, 2026 Contact: [email protected]    *READ: Gov. Evers Urges Trump Administration to Release 2024 Outdoor Recreation Economic Data* "Unnecessary delays in Wisconsin’s statewide outdoor recreation economic impact data leaves state and industry partners without critical information needed to make strategic investments" MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers sent a letter to the Trump Administration urging the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) to release the 2024 Outdoor Recreation Satellite Account, which offers economic reporting and analysis of Wisconsin’s more than $11 billion outdoor recreation industry. Without this information and data, this vital industry in Wisconsin is left to plan and make decisions with an inadequate view of the business and economic landscape, limiting opportunities for future success. Over the last week, Gov. Evers and Wisconsin Department of Tourism Secretary Anne Sayers have been visiting winter recreation destinations across the state to underscore the importance of winter recreation to Wisconsin’s outdoor recreation industry.

“Due to the Trump Administration’s continued obstruction of important economic data reporting that states rely on, Wisconsin is still waiting on the BEA to send us our 2024 statewide outdoor recreation economic impact data,” wrote Gov. Evers. “I am writing to strongly urge the BEA to release these reports so we can give our industry partners, stakeholders, and state agencies the information they need to effectively bolster our tourism economy and support our state’s future success.”

Since 2018, the Outdoor Recreation Satellite Account has provided essential economic data on the outdoor recreation industry, and according to data released in 2024 by the BEA, outdoor recreation contributed more than $11 billion to Wisconsin’s economy in 2023.  Unfortunately, due to the Trump Administration’s continued obstruction of important economic data reporting, the annual release of outdoor recreation impact data has been delayed, and the economic value and data of Wisconsin’s multi-billion-dollar outdoor recreation industry for 2024 is not yet available for stakeholders, local partners, and state agencies to utilize.

Wisconsin is also a key destination for winter recreation like downhill and cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling, and our outdoor recreation industry and workforce, as well as several communities across the state, rely heavily on winter recreation businesses. Unfortunately, Wisconsin has experienced unusually mild winters in recent years, which have lacked Wisconsin’s typical snowfall in many areas of the state, considerably impacting winter recreation businesses. In addition to delaying vital economic impact data, the Trump Administration last year also denied [ [link removed] ] Wisconsin’s request for a major disaster declaration due to a lack of snow, as well as access to Small Business Administration Economic Injury Loan resources to support impacted businesses that depend on the snow for their winter recreation businesses.

This letter comes as Gov. Evers, along with the Wisconsin Office of Outdoor Recreation, recently released [ [link removed] ] the second annual report from the Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Economic Impact Program, finding visitors and residents drive over $49.1 million in economic activity through outdoor recreation at rural and urban outdoor destinations in Dane, Door, Iron, Oconto, Oneida, and Vilas counties. This data emphasizes the importance of local data to supplement the absence of federal insight and leadership. While these DIY reports are great for Wisconsin communities to find their local data, they do not make up for the lack of statewide data from the BEA, and it is imperative that the state receives the 2024 report immediately so that the state and industry partners can continue making the strategic investments to support this growing industry.

Gov. Evers has made investing in the state’s tourism industry, including the outdoor recreation industry, a top priority of his administration, and in 2019, Gov. Evers created the Office of Outdoor Recreation at the Wisconsin Department of Tourism to serve as a central hub for Wisconsin’s outdoor recreation industry, working with stakeholders and providing resources to bolster Wisconsin as a top outdoor recreation destination. The 2025-27 Biennial Budget, signed by Gov. Evers, provided funding and staffing to make the Office of Outdoor Recreation a permanent office for the first time in state history.

A copy of the governor’s letter to the Trump Administration is available here [ [link removed] ], and a transcript of the letter is available below.

"Dear Secretary Lutnick,"

"Here in Wisconsin, tourism is a powerhouse of economic development and prosperity in our state, and our"
"outdoor recreation industry is a critical component of that success. Whether it’s biking, hiking, canoeing,"
"fishing, snowmobiling, skiing—you name it—outdoor recreation is a part of our culture as Wisconsinites and drives local economies. Each year, this vital industry supports thousands of jobs across the state and helps bring in billions of dollars in revenue for local businesses and our statewide economy, so ensuring we have the critical information to continue supporting this industry remains as important as ever."

"Since 2018, the Outdoor Recreation Satellite Account, administered by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), has provided essential economic data on the outdoor recreation industry to the sector, our nation, and our state. According to data released in 2024 by the BEA, outdoor recreation contributed more than $11 billion to Wisconsin’s economy in 2023."

"Unfortunately, due to the Trump Administration’s continued obstruction of important economic data reporting that states rely on, Wisconsin is still waiting on the BEA to send us our 2024 statewide outdoor recreation economic impact data. Without this data, this vital industry in Wisconsin is left to plan and make decisions with an inadequate view of the business and economic landscape, limiting our opportunity for future success. It is crucial that this data be prioritized and made public. I am writing to strongly urge the BEA to release these reports so we can give our industry partners, stakeholders, and state agencies the information they need to effectively bolster our tourism economy and support our state’s future success."

"Many of our industry partners rely on this data to make sound business decisions, including the several world-class outdoor brands that have taken root here in Wisconsin. Wisconsin is a national leader in American-made outdoor recreation-related manufacturing, ranking fourth in the nation for our share of manufacturing jobs in outdoor recreation and employing the ninth-most workers in this segment of the industry. Releasing data from the Outdoor Recreation Satellite Account is not only a critical resource for our state agencies but also helps to support our workforce."

"Wisconsin is also a key destination for winter recreation like downhill and cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling, and our outdoor recreation industry and workforce, as well as several communities across the state, rely heavily on winter recreation businesses. Unfortunately, Wisconsin has experienced unusually mild winters in recent years, which have lacked Wisconsin’s typical snowfall in many areas of the state, considerably impacting winter recreation businesses. In addition to delaying vital economic impact data, the Trump Administration last year also denied Wisconsin’s request for a major disaster declaration due to a lack of snow, as well as access to Small Business Administration Economic Injury Loan resources to support impacted businesses that depend on the snow for their winter recreation businesses."

"Luckily, my administration and I have made investing in this essential industry a priority here in Wisconsin. From making our Office of Outdoor Recreation a permanent fixture of state government to launching the Do-It Yourself (DIY) Economic Impact Report, we take pride in making smart, strategic investments to support this industry. While our DIY reports are great for our communities to find their local data, they do not make up for the lack of statewide data from the BEA, and it is imperative that we receive the 2024 report immediately so that we can continue making the strategic investments to support this growing industry. "

"On behalf of Wisconsin’s outdoor recreation businesses and the many hardworking folks in the industry whose efforts make sure visitors come back year after year, I implore you to release the 2024 outdoor recreation economic impact report. Thank you for your immediate attention to this important matter."

"Respectfully,"
"Tony Evers"
"Governor"
  An online version of this release is available here [ [link removed] ]. ###

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