Michigan’s capabilities in product design, advanced materials production and manufacturing provides an ability to reinvent the world of outdoor adventure products that is unsurpassed. With more commercial and industrial designers than any other states, Michigan offers plenty of opportunity for the outdoor industry to thrive. As the outdoor industry continues to evolve and address new challenges, Michigan remains – as it has been for more than 100 years – the place where the gear of the great outdoors is invented, and reinvented. This initiative is intended to collect information about the outdoor industry supply base in Michigan, and the demand to source products and services from those suppliers, in order to provide connections that help increase the economic impact of the outdoor industry in Michigan.
Created by Governor Whitmer in the fall of 2019, the Michigan Outdoor Recreation Industry Office is charged with supporting and growing the outdoor recreation lifestyle economy – from sustainable outdoor tourism to product design and innovation, from retail to manufacturing, the Outdoor Industry Office works alongside outdoor recreation businesses and non-profits to create jobs, attract talent, and improve outdoor access for all, to ensure lasting positive impact on the health and well-being of Michigan’s people, natural resources, and communities.
Michigan Outdoor Recreation supports over $685M in GDP in nondurable goods manufacturing in the state. Between 2015 and 2020, Michigan’s employment growth among outdoor recreation manufacturers outpaced the nation by more than three times.
- Outdoor recreation supports 126,000 jobs in the state; about 6,000 of those are in manufacturing. Other neighboring states have larger employment and compensation in outdoor recreation-related manufacturing, including Indiana (RVs); Wisconsin (bikes); and Minnesota (ATV/snowmobiles).
- Michigan Outdoor Recreation supports over $2.5B in GDP in the retail sector in the state, which grew 12% from 2012 to 2017.
- Michigan Outdoor Recreation supports nearly $1.2B in GDP in the accommodation and food sector in the state, which grew 24% from 2012 to 2017. Key categories include boat building, RVs and ATVs, and outdoor specialty (stoves, tents, packs, etc.)
The office is working to:
- Support, grow and leverage Michigan’s outdoor brands and elevate Michigan as an outdoor lifestyle state
- Build an outdoor entrepreneur pipeline to support startups and small, innovative companies and products
- Recruit diverse talent into Michigan’s outdoor industry by supporting innovation and engagement
Pure Michigan Business Connect (PMBC) was established in 2011 and is the State of Michigan's business-to-business connection platform. The program works to establish demand from domestic and international companies to source products and services from Michigan suppliers.