BOULDER, Colo. (September 29, 2023) – Today, Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) President Kent Ebersole released the following statement regarding the looming government shutdown on September 30:
“Government shutdowns are bad for business. Although no two shutdowns are alike, and the impact of a shutdown varies from agency to agency, the $862 billion outdoor recreation industry and its 4.5 million employees rely on public lands, waterways, and national parks to be open and accessible to the public. If past experience teaches us anything, we know tens of millions of dollars are at stake for communities and outdoor businesses across the country, not to mention the risk to tens of thousands of hard-working business owners, employees, and families. We strongly encourage all sides to negotiate a plan to keep the federal government running before the funding deadline.”