Celebrating our Partners: Artisans and Makers
- by Tataboline Enos
- June 21, 2022
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Today’s Great Outdoors Month gratitude post goes to the hundreds of artisans and makers who are helping us grow the region’s outdoor rec economy.
These small businesses help tell the story of the PA Wilds region and infuse our regional brand with meaning and value. Their handcrafted products extend the unique experience visitors have on our public lands or other recreation assets by making retail meaningful.
Their wares help meet market demand for visitors who want to “take home a piece of the PA Wilds” while giving a boost to local economies by supporting local businesses. We find great inspiration in the stories and products of our region’s makers.
Rich Valley Apiary is one great example. It started as a home-based business utilizing honeybee hives to harvest beeswax and honey to make personal care products such as all-natural lotions and soaps.
Located in the least-populated county in the Commonwealth, they started to sell their products through the PA Wilds Conservation Shops and online at ShopthePAwilds.com (regional commerce infrastructure that would be scaled in a major way if the our region wins a BBBRC grant).
The success on those platforms enabled them to purchase an empty storefront in their hometown and open a second business, Rich Valley Wines.
Owners Ryan and Brandi Magaro said their community is losing a major employer, a powdered metal plant, and that growing outdoor rec is critical to their economic base. “Our county is thriving with natural resources and beauty,” the couple says. “Our biggest challenge, a remote rural area with a low population density, also has the potential to become our biggest strength.”
We thank the hundreds of rural makers who are helping us grow the PA Wilds into a sustainable outdoor recreation destination that helps rural communities thrive!
Learn more about the Wilds Cooperative of PA (WCO) and all of our makers at wildscopa.org!
About the Series:
To celebrate June being Great Outdoors Month, we are highlighting partners throughout June who are helping grow the outdoor recreation economy here in the PA Wilds to help revitalize rural communities. Our 13-county region is the only outdoor rec industry cluster to make it to the final round of the national Build Back Better Regional Challenge competition, where we are now competing for $50M in federal investment from the US Economic Development Administration. We couldn’t have made it this far without our incredible partners!
Learn more about the PA Wilds and the BBBRC competition here.
