Through 12 states and the District of Columbia, the Great American Rail-Trail® will attract 25.6 million trips and generate more than $229.4 million in spending.
Economic Development
The Outdoor Recreation Economy by State
The outdoor recreation economy is large, growing faster than the overall economy, and consists of jobs in many industries. Explore data by state.
Using Economics to Support Climate Adaptation
Economic methods and data can engage diverse audiences and tell new stories to help cities make a case for climate adaptation.
The Value of Montana’s Outdoors
Montana’s outdoors attracts people and talent, creating jobs and a high quality of life. The outdoors is essential to the state’s future economic growth.
Funding Needs for Montana’s Outdoor Heritage
Funding for Montana’s working lands, wildlife, and outdoor recreation is not keeping pace as population, visitation, and development pressures expand.
Commercial Activities on National Forests
Updated: Headwaters Economics produced two interactive maps to show the range of commercial activities on National Forests at the Forest, state and forest region levels.
Trails Toolkit: Helping Communities Invest Wisely
Communities and local leaders can utilize this trails toolkit to better understand whether and how trails can accomplish local goals, along with the cost and benefits of proposed projects.
Best Practices for States to Fund Outdoor Recreation
Seven case studies illustrate best practices and lessons learned to develop programs for outdoor state recreation funding.
The Economic Importance of National Monuments to Communities
This research and interactive charts show that the local economies adjacent to all 17 national monuments studied in the West expanded following the monument’s creation.
Economy Surprisingly Dependent on Non-Labor Income
Non-labor income sources such as investments, Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid often are the largest and fastest growing sources of personal income for many counties. Rural counties especially are surprisingly dependent on non-labor income.
The Changing Role of Manufacturing in the U.S. and Insights for the Rural West
Recent trends in manufacturing and what they mean for the people and communities of the American West, with insights for rural areas in particular.
Benefits of Renewable Energy in the West Vary Widely
The West is rich in renewable energy opportunities, but research demonstrates that property tax revenues from this development vary widely across 17 rural study counties due to state tax policies.
Western Counties and the Recession
This study provides a number of lessons as the West slowly recovers from the recent recession about why some local economies performed better than others.
Colorado’s Economy and the Role of Federal Protected Lands
This report summarizes Colorado’s economy and the role of federal protected lands, including how the state has performed, and Colorado’s ability to attract people, investment, and businesses.
New Mexico’s Economy and the Role of Federal Protected Lands
An analysis of New Mexico’s economy and how federal protected lands impact economic performance.
Implementing Climate Change Adaptation: Lessons Learned From Ten Examples
This paper presents ten examples of cities and counties around the country and the key lessons learned in the process of moving from planning to implementation on climate change adaptation.
Olympic Peninsula Economy and Potential Impact of Draft Wild Olympics Proposal
Report on the economy of the Olympics Peninsula and impact of the Wild Olympics proposal.
Preparing Missoula County for a Changing Climate
A report on socioeconomic conditions of Missoula County as part of public process of developing a climate change adaptation plan.
Carey, Idaho and Economic Recovery
This report summarizes interviews with local government and business leaders on obstacles to and opportunities for local economic recovery in Carey, Idaho from the last recession.