Written By: Klamath County Economic Development Association (KCEDA)  

Outdoor recreation is among our nation’s largest economic sectors, representing the lifeblood of thousands of American communities and providing livelihoods for millions of workers. From the smallest rural towns to the most densely packed cities, outdoor recreation powers a vast economic engine that creates billions in spending and millions of good-paying jobs. In the Pacific Northwest alone, the industry represents over 1.2M jobs and accounts for nearly $150B in annual spending. Today, the outdoor recreation industry is the largest it has ever been, and as companies continue to open new locations at a record pace, economic forecasts indicate that the sector is on track to grow even more over the next few years. 

But what are these companies looking for when selecting a location for their business? According to a recent study performed by site selection firm, WDG Consulting, there are key criteria of which outdoor recreation companies consider most when evaluating cities for new development. Based on responses provided by several companies, WDG’s findings indicated that the following were important factors in a company’s decision-making process: Customer proximity, skilled labor, business costs, fast track permitting, incentives, pro-business climate, reputation for outdoor recreation, quality of life, and ready-to-go sites. 

Based on these factors, it becomes very clear that Klamath County is an ideal development location for outdoor recreation companies. Like the outdoor recreation industry, the Klamath County economy has experienced historic growth in recent years, as new development is occurring at a rapid rate. This economic momentum is the result of companies benefitting from the region’s competitive operating costs, abundant skilled labor, efficient permitting with less ‘red tape’, pro-business leadership, access to incentive opportunities, and a high quality of life that offers endless access to unparalleled outdoor recreation options. 

In Klamath County, people have easy access to adventure, exploration, nature, and culture. The natural wonders in the region are bountiful, providing a wide array of stunning outdoor features to choose from. The terrain of the region is quite multi-dimensional, consisting of expansive high-desert, river rapids, lush forests, and gorgeous frontiers under a dazzling, wide-open sky. These jaw-dropping, scenic splendors present easy interaction for outdoor enthusiasts of all types, never failing to deliver completely thrilling immersion. 

On average, Klamath has over 300 days of sunshine per year. Additionally, Klamath enjoys a variety of weather, as the temperate climate provides little rainfall, cool-to-warm springs, long hot summers, comfortable autumns, and snowy winters. This ideal transition of the seasons provides ample opportunity for people to regularly enjoy Klamath’s world-class birding, bicycling, mountain-biking, fishing, snowmobiling, kayaking, golfing, hiking and many other activities throughout the whole year.  

Klamath County is a hub for constant connection which invites and encourages intimate engagement with the surrounding community. In essence, rural living within the region lends to people having the opportunity to seek any-and-all experiences within a day, personifying the heights of having a work/life balance unlike anywhere else in the world. When combining all of the region’s exceptional attributes, it is evident that Klamath County is well positioned to support the new development in outdoor recreation. 

If you are a company that is interested in learning more about business development opportunities in Klamath County, contact KCEDA at 541-882-9600 or email info@teamklamath.com.