Break out the cake — in June, Ohio will officially celebrate “Ohio Goes Boating Month.” According to officials, this is the first time a state will permanently declare a boating month. The designation is due to the efforts of the Boating Associations of Ohio in partnership with Government Advantage Group.
Ohio boasts nearly 7,000 miles of shoreline along lakes and rivers, giving boaters plenty of space to kayak, paddle, cruise and fish. The boating lifestyle in Ohio also has a significant effect on the state itself. The boating industry has an estimated economic impact of more than $3 billion, with roughly 26,000 Ohioans employed in the boating business.
“The impact of boating in Ohio is major,” Boating Associations of Ohio Executive Director Bryan Ralston said in a statement. “We’re a top-10 boating state with more than 435,000 registered boat owners. We know those boats carry over 3.5 million Ohioans out on our waterways every summer. We presented our boating story to our lawmakers and we’re grateful to the General Assembly and our governor for so dramatically recognizing the role boating plays in Ohio’s quality of life.”
Organizers say “Ohio Goes Boating Month” will draw more widespread attention to the boating lifestyle each year.
For more information and events, visit facebook.com/ohiogoesboating/.
