Prince George’s County businesses are well-positioned to benefit from the continued expansion of Maryland’s outdoor recreation economy—an industry now generating billions in economic impact across the state.
A recent report highlighted by The BayNet, citing data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, shows that Maryland’s outdoor recreation sector contributed $10.6 billion to the state’s economy in 2024, accounting for 1.9% of total GDP. According to the journalist and the news source, the industry supported more than 85,000 jobs and generated over $5 billion in compensation statewide.
“Outdoor recreation is an economic engine and a quality-of-life asset,” said Sandi Olek, Director of the Maryland Office of Outdoor Recreation.
What This Means for Prince George’s County
While much of Maryland’s outdoor economy is often associated with waterfront regions, the implications for Prince George’s County are significant—and growing.
The sector spans a wide range of business activity, including:
Outdoor equipment and retail
Tourism and hospitality
Parks, trails, and recreational programming
Agritourism and local food experiences
With Prince George’s County’s proximity to regional parks, trail systems, and national assets, local businesses are positioned to capture increased demand driven by outdoor recreation and experiential tourism.
A Growing Industry with Local Impact
The data shows that Maryland’s outdoor recreation economy is not only large—but expanding faster than the national average, growing 5.6% year-over-year.
This growth creates downstream opportunities for County-based businesses, particularly those aligned with:
Wellness and lifestyle services
Hospitality and food-based experiences
Event programming and seasonal attractions
Additionally, statewide initiatives like the Maryland Outdoor Recreation Business Directory—featuring more than 650 businesses—are designed to connect consumers directly with local companies and drive economic activity.
The directory aims to “connect the public with Maryland businesses to amplify economic growth,” the report notes.
Economic Development Takeaway
The takeaway is clear: outdoor recreation is not just a leisure activity—it is a scalable economic sector.
For Prince George’s County, this presents an opportunity to:
Expand tourism-driven business activity
Support small businesses tied to recreation and wellness
Leverage natural and community assets for economic growth
As consumer demand continues to shift toward experiences, wellness, and outdoor access, jurisdictions that align business development with these trends will be better positioned to compete.
In Prince George’s County, that alignment represents not just opportunity—but strategy.