Obama’s Environmental Advisor Visits Bend
It was all eyes on Nancy Sutley, chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, on Wednesday morning in Bend..
From Sunnyside Sports to Phil’s Trailhead, recreational entrepreneurs preached the importance of local activities for our economy.
The question everyone brought to the table: What can government really do to stimulate the recreational economy for a community like Bend?
“One of the things we heard is that the federal government can be a better partner with communities and states and cities across the country in reconnecting Americans to the outdoors,” Sutley said.
Economically, recreation is the cog that turns the wheels of Central Oregon. In fact, many believe it’s been the calling card that’s helped this region make it through the recession.
But businesses that solely rely on recreation say the road hasn’t been easy.
“It’s really important that we continue to leverage our strengths, but it’s getting harder and harder to do that with budget cuts and changes in the world,” said Mt. Bachelor President Dave Rathbun.
The leaders who met with Sutley said they hope she returns to Washington with much more than photos and a souvenir T-shirt.
“If we can create a message to send back to the president that creating these local opportunities are important, then he and his staff can help us reach our goals,” said Don Horton, director of the Bend Metro Park and Rec District.
After taking a walk in our shoes and through our trails, Sutley says all the local feedback can only help the national partnership.
“We’re going to take back some things that we know we can do better about the federal government being a better partner with communities like Bend,” said Sutley, who also visited John Day on Tuesday and was off to Portland for a visit Wednesday.
