Arkansas' outdoor industry drove $7.3B impact in 2023
The Natural State's burgeoning outdoor recreation industry generated $7.3 billion in direct and indirect economic impact during 2023, per topline figures shared from a new report Monday.
Why it matters: The industry supports more than 68,000 jobs and garnered nearly $2 billion in tax revenue for Arkansas that year, according to Bentonville's think-and-do-tank, Heartland Forward.
Driving the news: Heartland Forward research director Jonas Crews presented those figures at the 51st Annual Governor's Conference on Tourism, held in Bentonville this week.
By the numbers: The $7.3 billion impact figure is higher than the $4.5 billion estimated by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) in December.
Crews used a boat maker to explain the difference.
BEA's data is focused on sales and employment, while Heartland's number widens the scope to include ancillary businesses, like fiberglass, sheet metal and seat suppliers.
Of note: The entire " Arkansas Outdoor Recreation Impact Report" will be available from the state in the near future and will include breakdowns of data that will be useful to business owners looking to take part in the outdoor economy.
Inside the room: Olivia Walton, chair, and Rod Bigelow, executive director of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, spoke about their work to make the museum and grounds accessible to all.
Their advice to other communities: double down on providing access to whatever amenities are available there, be good hosts and be good partners with other organizations in the community.
What's next: The conference continues all day Tuesday. Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders is scheduled to make remarks.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
Talk Business & Politics: Olivia Walton, columnist Rex Nelson
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Maternal health has made progress in the legislative session, but there is more to do for families and children. Talk Business & Politics host Roby Brock met with Olivia Walton, with Ingeborg Investments, who has been a leader on this issue in Arkansas has ideas for the state and federal level. Roby then talks with Arkansas Democrat-Gazette senior editor Rex Nelson chimes in on a variety of topics in the Natural State. Talk Business & Politics airs Sunday at 9:30 a.m. on FOX 16. For more coverage, head to Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Miami Herald
30-05-2025
- Miami Herald
Annual PCE inflation for April was 2.1%, in line with expectations
May 30 (UPI) -- April personal consumption expenditure inflation was up just 0.1% for an annual rate of 2.1%, according to a Friday Bureau of Economic Analysis report. "From the same month one year ago, the PCE price index for April increased 2.1%," the BEA report said. "Excluding food and energy, the PCE price index increased 2.5% from one year ago." For the month, PCE inflation met the Dow Jones consensus forecast, but the annual rate was 0.1% lower than expected. "From the preceding month, the PCE price index for April increased 0.1%. Excluding food and energy, the PCE price index also increased 0.1%.," the BEA said. Spending on housing and utilities services was up 24.7% in April, heath care services spendingincresed by 20.3%. Gasoline spending was up 8.1%. Spending on food and beverages, vehicles, recreational goods, financial services, insurance, clothing, footwear and motor vehicle parts all declined. The BEA also reported personal income in the United States was up 0.8% in April. "Disposable personal income (DPI)-personal income less personal current taxes-increased $189.4 billion (0.8%) and personal consumption expenditures (PCE) increased $47.8 billion (0.2%)," the BEA said in a statement. The income increase reflected both compensation increases and higher government social benefits to individuals, according to the BEA. In April there was a $47.8 billion increase in current-dollar PCE - comprised of a $55.8 billion rise in spending on services partially offset by an $8 billion decrease in spending for goods. Personal savings amounted to $1.12 trillion in April while the personal saving rate was 4.9%. That rate is saving as a percentage of disposable personal income. Copyright 2025 UPI News Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
UPI
30-05-2025
- UPI
Annual PCE inflation for April was 2.1%, in line with expectations
April personal consumption expenditure inflation was up just 0.1% for an annual inflation rate of 2.1%, according to a Friday Bureau of Economic Analysis report. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo May 30 (UPI) -- April personal consumption expenditure inflation was up just 0.1% for an annual rate of 2.1%, according to a Friday Bureau of Economic Analysis report. "From the same month one year ago, the PCE price index for April increased 2.1%," the BEA report said. "Excluding food and energy, the PCE price index increased 2.5% from one year ago." For the month, PCE inflation met the Dow Jones consensus forecast, but the annual rate was 0.1% lower than expected. "From the preceding month, the PCE price index for April increased 0.1%. Excluding food and energy, the PCE price index also increased 0.1%.," the BEA said. Spending on housing and utilities services was up 24.7% in April, heath care services spendingincresed by 20.3%. Gasoline spending was up 8.1%. Spending on food and beverages, vehicles, recreational goods, financial services, insurance, clothing, footwear and motor vehicle parts all declined. The BEA also reported personal income in the United States was up 0.8% in April. "Disposable personal income (DPI)-personal income less personal current taxes-increased $189.4 billion (0.8%) and personal consumption expenditures (PCE) increased $47.8 billion (0.2%)," the BEA said in a statement. The income increase reflected both compensation increases and higher government social benefits to individuals, according to the BEA. In April there was a $47.8 billion increase in current-dollar PCE - comprised of a $55.8 billion rise in spending on services partially offset by an $8 billion decrease in spending for goods. Personal savings amounted to $1.12 trillion in April while the personal saving rate was 4.9%. That rate is saving as a percentage of disposable personal income.
