Central Oregon is widely recognized across the U.S. and abroad as an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise, with its broad variety of options for diverse activities in a concentrated geographic area. This reputation has attracted not only visitors and new residents but several recreational equipment manufacturers as well. World-class rock climbing at Smith Rock has fostered a group of companies in the sector including Metolius Mountain Products and Entre Prises USA. Other small outdoor gear manufacturers include Ruff Wear (adventure wear for dogs), TazLabs, Oregon Packworks, Kialoa Paddles. In our definition, the industry also includes recreational vehicle manufacturing (boats, campers, luxury motorcoaches), which has a long history in the region but on the heels of the “Great Recession” has been diminished to just a shadow of its past employment. Still a few bright spots remain in this sub-sector and with economic rebound, businesses serving the industry will grow again as well.