Outdoor recreation is a big industry in Pennsylvania and a newly rebranded organization wants to make it even bigger.

“Pennsylvania has the 8th largest outdoor economy in the United States. It contributes $19 billion to the economy, and creates 168,000 direct jobs or 2.7 percent of all jobs in the state. It generates $9 billion in wages and salaries,” Lutricia Eberly, executive director of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Recreation Association told members of the Blair County Chamber of Commerce Breakfast Club Thursday at The Casino at Lakemont Park.

In August, the Pennsylvania Ski Areas Association was rebranded as the Pennsylvania Outdoor Recreation Association.

The new entity is welcoming a broad scope of outdoor-focused businesses to its membership and supporting the state’s outdoor recreation economy by expanding employee education, promoting employment opportunities and strengthening lobbying efforts.

“PORA unites outdoor businesses and advocates for the outdoor industry across Pennsylvania. Our mission is to strengthen communities and grow the economy,” Eberly said.

Outdoor recreation is a combination of fun and business, said President/CEO Steve McKnight of the Blair Alliance for Business and Economic Growth.

“We are marketing what we have and are building new things to bring people into the community. That opportunity is significant. Outdoor recreation in mountain towns like ours, we already have opportunities here and the opportunity to expand on it, it is a part of economic development,” McKnight said. “The state is positioning itself more than ever, we are gaining traction in making sure Pennsylvania is relevant in the outdoor recreation community.”

PORA is helping outdoor recreation in four ways: Marketing and promotion, workforce development, economic growth and development and legislative advocacy, Eberly said.

“We want to make Pennsylvania become one of the top three in outdoor recreation. We need to create more talking points about the values of outdoor recreation,” Everky said. “Our vision is a united community, together we build vibrant communities through outdoor recreation. Our goal is to elevate outdoor recreation to a powerful connected economic system. We need all of you to help with that story.”

Mirror Staff Writer Walt Frank is at 814-946-7467.