Outdoor recreation created $5.5B in Utah. Here's how that stacks up with other states

SALT LAKE CITY — It’s no secret outdoor activities drive a portion of Utah’s economy. Much of the state’s tourism centers around visiting the state’s vast outdoor attractions, and tourism is now a $9 billion industry.

But how much does recreation move the U.S. economy and how does Utah compare to other states? For the first time, there’s an answer from a federal agency. On Friday, The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis released a report on a state-by-state basis showing how outdoor recreation affects state and local economies.