Bennet, Schumer, Brown Push USDA to Support Rural Communities, Boost Outdoor Recreation Economy

Denver - U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) called on the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to make outdoor recreation projects eligible for funding through USDA's Community Facilities Program (CFP).

"The federal government has an opportunity to support rural areas as they make their communities more accessible and attractive to live, work, and spend their time," wrote Bennet, Schumer, and Brown. "From bike trails in Fruita, Colorado to paddling and boating in Lake Placid, New York and hiking on the Buckeye Trail in Ohio, allowing outdoor recreation as an eligible activity under Community Facilities could provide a significant opportunity for small towns to strengthen and diversify their economies with investments that have a proven track record of success."

USDA's CFP provides loans and grants to ensure rural communities enjoy the same quality of life and services as urban areas. By investing in amenities for rural communities - such as fire stations, town halls, health clinics, schools, and libraries - the CFP helps rural communities attract and retain businesses and visitors to fuel their economies. However, outdoor recreation projects are not eligible despite creating 5 million jobs nationwide and contributing $1.1 trillion to the U.S. economy.

"Americans are increasingly venturing outdoors with a renewed passion... However, investment in this vital economic engine has stagnated," the senators continue. "We ask that any such change benefit rural residents where they live and invest in the infrastructure necessary to increase access to recreation, such as trails, boat ramps and campgrounds, and maintain the exclusion of membership-based recreation, such as golf courses."

For over a decade, Bennet has worked with Coloradans to boost the state's outdoor recreation economy and protect landscapes for future generations to enjoy. In August, Bennet and Schumer introduced the Rural Outdoor Investment Act to promote economic growth in rural communities by investing in outdoor recreation infrastructure, planning, and business development.

"Trust for Public Land (TPL) applauds and supports Senators Bennet, Schumer, and Brown for their efforts in highlighting the importance of outdoor recreation infrastructure in rural America," said Luis Benitez, Chief Impact Officer, Trust for Public Land. "In many rural areas-often surrounded by public lands-residents must travel long distances to access recreation, hunting, or fishing opportunities. By investing in outdoor recreation infrastructure, we can bolster public access for all and assist numerous rural communities in leveraging the recreation economy. This investment can aid in the transition from aging industries to a more diverse economy, while fostering greater community health and vibrancy."

The text of the letter is available HERE and below.

Dear Secretary Vilsack and Under Secretary Gooden:

We write today to urge the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to clarify that projects in support of the infrastructure necessary to build and expand outdoor recreation activities are eligible for support under the USDA's Rural Development Community Facilities program. We have received direct feedback from state directors of outdoor recreation across the country that the ineligibility of Community Facilities investments for outdoor recreation infrastructure hampers their states' economic potential. The federal government has an opportunity to support rural areas as they make their communities more accessible and attractive to live, work, and spend their time.

Americans are increasingly venturing outdoors with a renewed passion, fueling a $1.1 trillion outdoor recreation economy. However, investment in this vital economic engine has stagnated. If the Community Facilities program were to allow support for projects that create or increase access to outdoor recreation uses, it could foster an economy that works for everyone, including our rural communities. From bike trails in Fruita, Colorado to paddling and boating in Lake Placid, New York and hiking on the Buckeye Trail in Ohio, allowing outdoor recreation as an eligible activity under Community Facilities could provide a significant opportunity for small towns to strengthen and diversify their economies with investments that have a proven track record of success.

We ask that any such change benefit rural residents where they live and invest in the infrastructure necessary to increase access to recreation, such as trails, boat ramps and campgrounds, and maintain the exclusion of membership-based recreation, such as golf courses.

Our offices look forward to working with your Department to expand access to community facilities that provide recreation options, create good-paying jobs, and support local businesses so that as demand for outdoor recreation grows, rural economies grow too.