From a recent study by Headwaters Economics (Bozeman): “…The West’s wilderness areas and other public lands offer its growing high-tech and services industries a competitive advantage, which is a major reason why the western economy has outperformed the rest of the US… Entrepreneurs and talented workers are choosing to work where they can enjoy outdoor recreation and natural landscapes….
Increasingly, chambers of commerce and economic development associations in every western state are using the region’s public lands as a tool to lure companies to relocate… High-wage services industries also are using the West’s public lands as a tool to recruit and retain innovative, high-performing talent.”…