Correct Craft CEO Bill Yeargin was named chairman of the Outdoor Recreation Advisory Committee. ORAC was established to advise the U.S. Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt on public-private partnerships across public lands, as well as on other issues related to outdoor recreation.
“I hope to help our country by working with the all-star ORAC committee to identify ways we can help more Americans enjoy outdoor recreation,” Yeargin told Trade Only Today, shortly after being elected chairman. “This is good for the outdoor recreation industry, boating and, most importantly, the people who are having their lives and relationships enriched through outdoor recreation.”
A survey last week from the Bureau of Economic Analysis shows that outdoor recreation makes up 2.2 percent of U.S. gross domestic product, generating $778 billion in gross output and supporting 5.2 million jobs. In terms of economic output, boating/fishing, RVing, motorcycling/ATVing, hunting/shooting/trapping, and equestrian sports were the five largest outdoor recreation activities. Boating/fishing was the largest outdoor activity at $20.9 billion, according to the report.
Yeargin said chairing the committee will provide a “great opportunity to create a tremendous amount of visibility for outdoor recreation and our industry.” ORAC will meet several times a year and provide the interior department with recommendations for improved accessibility to public lands.
“I appreciate Secretary Bernhardt helping us highlight this critical element of our economy and the American lifestyle,” Yeargin said.
