The outdoor industry has become a driving force of Boulder鈥檚 economy, with a large cluster of companies producing products for sports and active living. KUNC鈥檚 Erin O鈥橳oole talks with publisher Chris Wood about recent efforts by other cities to lure away some of Boulder鈥檚 outdoor companies.
翱鈥橳辞辞濒别: Chris, Boulder has become kind of a Mecca for outdoor companies. How large is the sector - and what has led to Boulder鈥檚 dominance?
Wood:Well, Erin, about 75 members of the , which is based in Boulder, hail from the Boulder Valley. Most of those are in Boulder itself, with some companies in Lafayette, Louisville, Longmont and Broomfield. But the cluster is actually far larger, with some estimates that as many as 200 active-living businesses are located in the Boulder Valley.
As for Boulder鈥檚 dominance, the city is widely recognized as the national leader in the outdoor sector. The reasons are probably a combination of the great natural environment and a love locally for active living. Boulder has been recognized by many national groups for its sports and outdoor amenities 鈥� from hiking to climbing to biking 鈥� including being named the number one sports town in America by Outside magazine.
You take those assets and combine them with Boulder鈥檚 entrepreneurial mindset, and you get a very active and growing industry cluster.
翱鈥橳辞辞濒别: So what are some examples of outdoor companies located in the Boulder Valley?
Wood: One prominent company is GoLite, which produces everything from outdoor-oriented apparel to backpacks. Sea to Summit produces camping and hiking gear. Scarpa North America is also in Boulder. That company produces a wide variety of products for the ski, climbing and trail industries. And the list goes on.
翱鈥橳辞辞濒别: So, efforts are under way now by other communities to lure away some of Boulder鈥檚 companies. Who is behind those efforts?
Wood: Two of the cities that have emerged as would-be Boulders are Ogden, Utah, and Portland, Oregon. Both communities also enjoy very attractive natural environments, outdoor cultures and a base of companies catering to that sector. But one thing they鈥檝e done that Boulder and Colorado has not is to develop a comprehensive strategy to build the outdoor industry. Boulder鈥檚 dominance has come with little state or local economic-development support. But these other communities are taking a much more aggressive approach, actively meeting with Boulder companies and offering them incentives to relocate.
翱鈥橳辞辞濒别: Are there particular companies they鈥檝e approached?
Wood: Many companies have been approached, but one particular effort by Ogden and Portland illustrates the aggressiveness of their efforts. They鈥檙e currently trying to lure away the Outdoor Industry Association itself, which is headquartered in Boulder and which is looking for new space when its lease expires in February. Portland and Ogden attempted to lure the OIA from Boulder three years ago, and the association opted to remain in Boulder. But those efforts have renewed with a vigor.
OIA president Frank Hugelmeyer recently told a Boulder audience that the mantle of the global leader in the outdoor sector is 鈥淏oulder鈥檚 to lose.鈥�
翱鈥橳辞辞濒别: What does he think should be done about it?
Wood:Well, in a recent guest column in the Boulder County Business Report, Hugelmeyer outlined several steps that Boulder should take to retain its status as the leader in the outdoor sector. He recommended that the local industry itself help to identify its needs and create more cohesiveness and communication locally. That鈥檚 beginning to happen with the formation of the Active Living Group by the Boulder Chamber, supported by the city. But Hugelmeyer said there also needs to be greater recognition of the industry locally and at a state level, with an economic-development plan to retain and grow the outdoor cluster.
