MAINE PUBLIC • March 9, 2026
New federal data show Maine's outdoor recreation economy has nearly doubled over the last decade or so. The U.S. Commerce Department finds that Maine's outdoor recreation sector generated nearly $4 billion and accounts for 4% of the state's gross domestic product. Maine ranks sixth in the nation in the value that the sector generates for its gross domestic product. "It shows that outdoor recreation is our competitive advantage here," said Jenny Kordick, executive director of Maine Outdoor Brands. "We are a leader in the country, and if you take a step back and think about it, it makes sense, how infused the outdoors is to everything in the state of Maine. It's something we should be proud of."