Page 90 - 2021 Lake St. Clair Guide

Near social distancing manner,” said Nicki
BOAT SALES & WATER ACTIVITIES SKYROCKET year-end Polan, Executive Director for the MBIA.
2020 data “All outdoor activities fared well, but
The Michigan Boating Industries Asso- from the National Marine Manufactur- with 11,000 inland lakes, more shore-
ciation (MBIA) is grateful boating and ers Association (NMMA) showed boat line than all states except Alaska, and
fishing provided stress-relief, together- sales up 9% compared to 2019. 3,600 miles of navigable rivers, Michi-
ness, and outdoor fun for Michiganders “Boat sales went through the roof ganders took to the water in droves.”
as an antidote to 2020’s COVID-19, last summer as people found them- “New powerboat retail sales were
and at the same time buoyed Michigan selves with discretionary dollars and strong across the board, from the
marine businesses across the state. the desire to recreate in a safe, fun, and high-volume small fishing boat and

pontoon segments that to the COVID-19 pan-
September 2020 ranks as the 2nd account for nearly half of demic. Used boats, boat
highest single-month total of new all new boat sales, to the clubs, and boat rentals
powerboats sold in more than a decade. wake sport and offshore also outpaced previous
fishing segments,” said years and set new
Vicky Yu, NMMA director records.
of business intelligence. “Overall boating ac-
“We expect to close tivity was up by all 2020
2020 with more than boaters – current and
300,000 new boats sold new owners,” said Polan.
nation wide and more “With people being off
than 44,000 new boat- work, and others working
ers coming into the mar- from home, there was a
ket – levels lot more time to get out
the industry on the water and you
hasn’t seen could see it was busier at
since before the launch sites and on
the Great the lakes. We are mindful
Recession in of the losses incurred by
2008-2009.” this pandemic, but forev-
Michigan er grateful our industry
remains the was able to provide safe
third largest and enjoyable family
marine mar- time to help mitigate the
ket in the stresses of the situation.”
country with Workforce develop-
more than ment continues to be a
“Almost 50% of $1 billion in priority for the MBIA as
Michigan’s population new boats, motors, there are many excit-
actively boat each year,” trailers, and acces- ing career opportunities
said Nicki Polan of MBIA sories sold in 2019. which remain unfilled in
That is incredibly Michigan. Because of the
impressive consid- industry’s growth in 2020
ering Michigan is a there will be even more
four-season state. opportunities to fill.
Boating has a
$7.8 billion impact on the If you are interested in
state’s economy each a career in Michigan’s
year. New boat sales boating industry, please
were not the only segment visit
to benefit from the surge boatmichigan.org/careers
in outdoor recreation due for more information
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