Outdoor Recreation Virginia is for (Outside) Lovers: New grant program is a ‘gamechanger’ By News Desk - August 1, 2022 0 48 FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsApp TAGSGameChangergrantloversOutdoorProgramVirginia FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsApp Previous articleAdiff Founder Angela Luna Desires You to Upcycle Your Personal Garments at ResidenceNext articleGoing Tenting? Depart Your Hatchet at Residence. News Desk
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<p>“data-medium-file=”https://augustafreepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/senior-man-canoe-nature-fitness-lake-outdoors-300×200.jpg” data-large-file= “https://augustafreepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/senior-man-canoe-nature-fitness-lake-outdoors-150×100.jpg” class=”size-full wp-image-259242″ src =”data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=” http:=”” alt=”Canoeing in a lake” width=”400″ height=”267″ data-lazy-srcset=”https:// augustafreepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/senior-man-canoe-nature-fitness-lake-outdoors.jpg 400w, https://augustafreepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/senior -man-canoe-nature-fitness-lake-outdoors-300×200.jpg 300w, https://augustafreepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/senior-man-canoe-nature-fitness-lake-outdoors- 150×100.jpg 150w” data-lazy-sizes=”(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px” data-lazy-src=”https://augustafreepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/senior- man-canoe-nature-fitness-lake-outdoors.jpg”/>(© Jacob Lund – stock.adobe.com)</p>
<p>The Virginia Tourism Corporation announced a new grant program aimed at boosting Virginia’s outdoor economy. The DRIVE Outdoor Grants program builds on the statewide DRIVE 2.0 strategic plan to improve outdoor recreation development, assets and entrepreneurial opportunities in Virginia.</p>
<p>Target marketing organizations that receive funding will receive up to $20,000 for outdoor recreation development projects.</p>
<p>“The DRIVE Outdoor Grants program will be a game changer in economic development and a major investment in new outdoor leisure products across the Commonwealth, a destination already celebrated for its legendary outdoor offerings,” said Rita McClenny, President and CEO by VTC. “Virginia offers unparalleled outdoor experiences sought by millions of people every year. With more than 100 miles of coastline, 41 state parks, 22 national parks, and 544 miles of the famous Appalachian Trail—more than any other state—Virginia truly is a premier destination for outdoor enthusiasts.”</p>
<p>The growth of the outdoor economy will also spur job creation and private investment, and should help build outdoor-focused tourism partnerships, said Chris Canfield, VTC’s vice president of partnership marketing.</p>
<p>“The DRIVE Outdoor program will play a key role in building our communities around outdoor activities and will help further position Virginia as the premier state on the East Coast for outdoor recreation and a natural location for outdoor businesses,” said Canfield . “With 57 percent of Virginians participating in outdoor activities each year and nearly half of all overnight travelers coming to Virginia to participate in outdoor activities, it’s easy to see why Virginia is for outdoor lovers.”</p>
<p>Outdoor recreation has proven to be a recession-proof industry and a driver of America’s economy, generating $689 billion in economic output spending and supporting 4.3 million jobs across the country.</p>
<p>In Virginia alone, outdoor recreation generates $8 billion annually and supports more than 104,000 jobs. The outdoor recreation economy also generates $4.4 billion in wages and accounts for 1.5 percent of Virginia’s total GDP.</p>
<p>Additionally, with outdoor experiences spanning from the Appalachian Mountains to the Atlantic Ocean, Virginia is an attractive destination for outdoor brands to establish or expand their presence.</p>
<p>The Commonwealth is currently home to several major outdoor brands such as Orvis, Backcountry and YakAttack.</p>
<p>DRIVE Outdoor Grant results must support outdoor recreation and may be used for outdoor recreation development, events, or business expansion.</p>
<p>The grant application period runs from August 22, 2022 to September 16, 2022. The grant workshop cycle runs from October 3, 2022 to March 3, 2022.</p>
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