Outdoor Industry Association and OIAPAC Endorse Richard Burr for Re-Election | Eastern North Carolina Now

    OIA is the national trade association for suppliers, manufacturers and retailers in the $646 billion outdoor recreation industry. With more than 1,200 member companies, large and small, the outdoor industry supports more than 6.1 million American jobs, provides $80 million every year in federal and state tax revenue and makes other significant contributions toward the goal of healthy communities and healthy economies across the United States.

    In North Carolina, the outdoor recreation economy accounts for $19.2 billion in consumer spending, 192,000 jobs and $5.6 billion in wages and salaries, and $1.3 billion in state and local tax revenue. Senator Burr has clearly understood the significance of the outdoor industry to North Carolina and has fought to support it.

    "Senator Burr has been an advocate for the North Carolina outdoor recreation economy throughout his time in the Senate," said Ross Saldarini, president of Mountain Khakis. "He was instrumental in saving the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) which has contributed some $216 million to our state, protecting places like Pisgah National Forest and the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. His leadership to permanently reauthorize and fund LWCF is a great example of the senator fighting for the remarkable assets North Carolinians and tourists will continue to enjoy for years to come."

    Senator Burr has taken a stand on some of the most important issues facing the outdoor industry. He has supported OIA's balanced trade agenda, helping North Carolina businesses compete in a global economy, and has been a champion for our public lands.

    "In the Senate, I have worked to ensure important conservation efforts can come to completion through the Land and Water Conservation Fund," said Senator Burr. "This program is well loved for a good reason: it costs the taxpayers nothing, helps local groups conserve land that is critical for their communities and supports outdoor recreation across the state. I will continue to look for opportunities to permanently renew the Land and Water Conservation Fund."

    "North Carolina has grown to be an important hub of the outdoor recreation industry; it is important to have leaders in Congress that recognize the benefits the industry can bring to the state," said OIA Executive Director Amy Roberts. "Senator Burr is one of these leaders. He has been a champion for some of the industry's most important issues, which is why we are supporting his re-election this year."

    You can see OIA's full slate of endorsed candidates here.

• Contact: Alex Boian
•     aboian@outdoorindustry.org