Summit of Mt. Washington, N.H. – Today, Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander, a co-chair of the Bipartisan Ski and Snowboard Caucus, hosted a conversation with local leaders and outdoor recreation advocates about the state of New Hampshire tourism and ways state and federal partners can work together to strengthen our outdoor recreation economy.
“New Hampshire is home to the most beautiful land in America, and outdoor recreation is core to our way of life,” said Congresswoman Goodlander. “Today, on the summit of Mt. Washington, we had a wide-ranging and inspiring conversation about how we can all work together to make the absolute most of New Hampshire’s unmatched natural beauty to strengthen our economy and way of life for generations to come.”
“Visitors are drawn to New Hampshire because of its grandeur and endless opportunities for outdoor adventure,” Drew Bush, Mount Washington Observatory’s Executive Director, said. “At the Observatory, we are committed to working with partners across the state to ensure our guests not only can take advantage of these recreational opportunities, but also that they have the information to do so safely. Weather, particularly extreme weather, defines outdoor sport, and our vibrant outdoor community relies on understandings of it to plan operations, make investments, and help make memories.”
“Outdoor recreation is a critical part of the State’s strategy to help our employers’ ability to recruit and retain the workforce they need,” said Rural Economic Development Administrator of the New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs, Steve Fortier. “Whether it is a rural hospital or a local manufacturer, having access to high-quality outdoor rec assets is a big part of our ability to attract workforce and revitalize rural areas.”
“Outdoor recreation is a major driver of New Hampshire’s rural economies. Our communities not only depend on but thrive due to the presence of ski areas, bike paths, hiking trails, and more. In the 11+ years that I’ve been at the helm of Ski New Hampshire, I’ve had the honor of working with many outdoor recreation leaders on a wide variety of topics that have included the development of safety messaging, addressing workforce and housing issues, and how to deal with climate change impacts. The great spirit of collaboration of outdoor industry stakeholders has resulted in a growing awareness of its economic importance in the Granite State,” said Jessyca Keeler, President of Ski New Hampshire.
Goodlander sat down with representatives from Mount Washington Observatory, NH Department of Business & Economic Affairs (NH BEA), Mt. Washington Auto Road, Mount Washington State Park, Mt. Washington Cog Railway Company, Mount Washington Commission, Bretton Woods Ski Area/Omni Mount Washington Resort, Ski NH, and the Granite Outdoor Alliance.
A founding member of the Lowering Costs Caucus, Goodlander is a fierce advocate for lowering costs and strengthening our economy. Before taking the oath to represent the Second District in the People’s House, Congresswoman Goodlander served as a Deputy Assistant Attorney General in the Justice Department, where she took on the corporate monopolies that are jacking up the cost of healthcare, housing, food, and more for hardworking people across New Hampshire and America.
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