WHY WNC

For the last 8 years, members of the Growing Outdoors Partnership have been collaborating to grow WNC’s outdoor economy. Starting with the founding of the Outdoor Gear Builders of WNC in 2013, outdoor industry companies have been working hand in hand with economic developers, community leaders, tourism partners, educational institutions, and conservation organizations to support the growth of an economy that cares for our people and places. This outdoor economy draws from deep roots; the region’s famous craft traditions, its manufacturing prowess, and the mountain landscapes that are the cradle of modern forestry in America.

Building on these extraordinary assets, the Growing Outdoors Partnership was formed in 2018 to channel these collective energies and drive outdoor recreation jobs and investment. Three years later, these efforts have far exceeded expectations, garnering over $10 Million in investment and creating or retaining 426.5 jobs; more than doubling the membership of the Outdoor Gear Builders to 70+ companies; launching new outdoor recreation degree and certificate programs at our regional universities and community colleges; and developing an Outdoor Economy Conference where people from 33 states and 5 countries have gathered to learn and share the “how” of outdoor-driven community and economic development.

Now, with support from the Appalachian Regional Commission’s POWER program as well as the Dogwood Health Trust, the Growing Outdoors Partnership has embarked on an ambitious new three-year program designed to grow the region’s outdoor communities and companies, care for its lands and people, and cement Western North Carolina’s reputation as the Outdoor Industry Hub of the East.

This new project is rooted in the lessons learned over the past eight years, and led by a team with decades of experience in outdoor recreation community activation, entrepreneurial support, industry recruitment and expansion, workforce development, and brand growth. Its three pillars – Building Vibrant Outdoor Communities, Driving Outdoor Industry Expansion, and Increasing Market Access – all support one another, and are the foundations of a larger body of work: creating an economy that inherently incentivizes stewardship of our lands and waters as well as the health of our people.

Whether you are from here, or got here as fast as you can, so long as this vision excites you, we look forward to working with you to grow a vibrant and inclusive outdoor economy. Read on for more info about each of our pillars of work, the organizations behind these efforts, and four key opportunities you can capitalize on to get engaged right now!