Outdoor industry thriving in Wyoming

Outdoor industry thriving in Wyoming

Millions flock to Wyoming every year to see natural wonders like the geysers and big game of Yellowstone National Park, the imposing peaks of Grand Teton National Park and the strange, spiritual sight of Devils Tower National Monument standing sentinel over the rolling plains.

Those tourists fill the coffers of hoteliers, restaurateurs, retailers and service providers to the tune of $5.6 billion every year as they travel the state.

Local guides take the thrill seekers on rafting trips, climbing expeditions, horseback rides and backcountry hunts for experiences of a lifetime.

Some of the gear those guides use is designed and manufactured by Wyoming businesses. Those companies sell their products all over the world, capturing new dollars and bringing them back to the state.

This is the outdoor industry in Wyoming. It provides 50,000 direct jobs – nearly double that of the oil, gas, mining and extraction industries combined.

A cultural and economic fit

In the wake of a precipitous drop in resource prices, energy companies have reined in spending to compete at a “new normal.” In response, state and local officials have teamed with captains of Wyoming industry and concerned citizens to find new ways to create a more resilient economy.

One of the state's early actions was to form the Outdoor Recreation Task Force in fall 2016, a conglomeration of industry executives, outfitters, enthusiasts and local officials.

The group's report is nearly ready for release and includes an economic assessment of the industry and the results of a survey of outdoor businesses around the state.

What the task force found was a small, but growing, industry well-suited to Wyoming. Nearly all of Wyoming’s primary outdoor businesses employed fewer than 100 people, but they provide good wages in occupations like design, marketing and manufacturing.

“One of Wyoming's biggest growth opportunities for stable, nonmineral dependent industries are businesses like mine,” said Cade Maestas, cofounder of optics maker Maven. “It's easier to recruit someone who has a passion for this lifestyle than to shoehorn in a company that doesn't have that culture front of mind.”

In a town the size of Lander, where Maven is located, a three-to-five person firm that makes tents or sleeping bags or binoculars is a big deal, Maestas explained.  Those are high-income, sustainable jobs compatible with the population and lifestyle offered in Wyoming.

Operating a smaller company also means favoring high-end, high-margin gear over mass-produced products. It’s a mindset that matches Wyoming's culture.

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