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This month the Department of Governmental Efficiency canceled funding to the nonprofit organization that offers learn-to-fish programs all across America. As a result, the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation has been forced to pause programs like Take Me Fishing and events with state fish and game agencies., according to an article by OutdoorLife.com.

Grant funding for many conservation-based organizations was frozen earlier this year, and sources say RBFF and other fishing industry stakeholders struggled to receive clarity on the funding. As a result, RBFF had to furlough eight of its 16 employees on June 6, just days before the Department of the Interior announced it was terminating the grant award, which the agency has been receiving and distributing since 1998.

“We kept some [employees] in place because we were hopeful the funds would come through, but we’re not sure what that looks like now that we received a termination letter,” says RBFF Chief Operating Officer Stephanie Vatalaro. “At some point soon, we’ll run out of the remaining funds and those of us left will move on.”  

While RBFF did receive $13.7 million in federal funding in 2024, according to the organization’s most recent financial statement, none of those funds come from general taxpayer dollars. Instead, the RBFF is funded through the much-celebrated excise tax on fishing tackle and boating equipment. In fact, the RBFF was established to cooperate with the USFWS in compliance with a federal law established 27 years ago; RBFF has worked closely with the sportfishing industry and state agencies to grow fishing participation and reinvest in the outdoor economy. 

RBFF says its has helped increase fishing participation to record-high levels last year and contributed to the sportfishing and boating industries, which both contribute $230 billion apiece in economic impact, along with nearly 2 million total jobs and billions in tax revenue.

“Alarmingly, in just the past few months since RBFF’s funding has been terminated, fishing license sales are down 8.6 percent across 16 states, representing the loss of over $590 million in angler spending and 5,600 jobs,” RBFF told Outdoor Life in a statement. “These figures signal that the industry and the economic activity it drives could be at severe risk.”

Click here to read the full article by OutdoorLife.com.

The post Federal ‘Take Me Fishing’ Program Paused Amid Doge Cuts first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

This month the Department of Governmental Efficiency canceled funding to the nonprofit organization that offers learn-to-fish programs all across America. As a result, the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation has been forced to pause programs like Take Me Fishing and events with state fish and game agencies., according to an article by OutdoorLife.com.

Grant funding for many conservation-based organizations was frozen earlier this year, and sources say RBFF and other fishing industry stakeholders struggled to receive clarity on the funding. As a result, RBFF had to furlough eight of its 16 employees on June 6, just days before the Department of the Interior announced it was terminating the grant award, which the agency has been receiving and distributing since 1998.

“We kept some [employees] in place because we were hopeful the funds would come through, but we’re not sure what that looks like now that we received a termination letter,” says RBFF Chief Operating Officer Stephanie Vatalaro. “At some point soon, we’ll run out of the remaining funds and those of us left will move on.”  

While RBFF did receive $13.7 million in federal funding in 2024, according to the organization’s most recent financial statement, none of those funds come from general taxpayer dollars. Instead, the RBFF is funded through the much-celebrated excise tax on fishing tackle and boating equipment. In fact, the RBFF was established to cooperate with the USFWS in compliance with a federal law established 27 years ago; RBFF has worked closely with the sportfishing industry and state agencies to grow fishing participation and reinvest in the outdoor economy. 

RBFF says its has helped increase fishing participation to record-high levels last year and contributed to the sportfishing and boating industries, which both contribute $230 billion apiece in economic impact, along with nearly 2 million total jobs and billions in tax revenue.

“Alarmingly, in just the past few months since RBFF’s funding has been terminated, fishing license sales are down 8.6 percent across 16 states, representing the loss of over $590 million in angler spending and 5,600 jobs,” RBFF told Outdoor Life in a statement. “These figures signal that the industry and the economic activity it drives could be at severe risk.”

Click here to read the full article by OutdoorLife.com.

The post Federal ‘Take Me Fishing’ Program Paused Amid Doge Cuts first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

BILLINGS, Mont. – Kampgrounds of America, Inc. (KOA) was recently named to Franchise Business Review’s 2025 “Culture100” list. The list recognizes the top 100 franchise brands in its annual research on the Best Franchise Cultures, according to a release.

KOA is the largest network of privately owned campgrounds globally, with approximately 500 locations across North America. Founded in Billings, Montana in 1962, the company opened its first franchise in Cody, Wyoming two years later. With campgrounds conveniently located in local communities and near iconic destinations, KOA is the predominate leader in outdoor hospitality, offering widespread access to outdoor accommodations for all types of campers. Most KOA campgrounds are franchised, operated by a range of owners —from single-property hosts to businesses managing 15 or more campgrounds.

“As a franchise organization, our franchisees are the backbone of our business,” said Toby O’Rourke, President and CEO of Kampgrounds of America (KOA). “It is an honor to be recognized by Franchise Business Review as a leading franchise for company culture. Our core values—family orientation, customer focus, innovation, passion, and entrepreneurship—are at the heart of everything we do. We are proud to foster a workplace culture that inspires passion and builds meaningful connections across our organization.”

Franchise Business Review, a research firm that conducts independent surveys of franchisee satisfaction, provides the only ratings of franchises based solely on actual franchisee satisfaction and performance. Franchise Business Review publishes its rankings of top franchises semi-annuallyin its Guide to Today’s Top Franchises, as well as industry reports throughout the year that highlight research on the top franchises in specific sectors.

KOA was among more than 350 franchise brands representing over 35,000 franchise owners that participated in Franchise Business Review’s research on the best franchise cultures. Franchisees were surveyed on 33 benchmark questions about their experience and satisfaction regarding critical areas of their franchise systems. The brands that were selected received the highest overall ratings based on 17 unique areas that contribute to a strong company culture, including leadership, core values, franchisee community, and engagement.

“Finding the right culture fit is an important part of any franchise investment decision, but it can be difficult to gauge,” said Michelle Rowan, president & COO of Franchise Business Review. “Franchise Business Review gathers data on how current franchise owners rate a brand’s culture and compare it to industry benchmarks. That data gives potential buyers insights into important indicators of a positive culture, such as if franchisees believe the franchisor cares about their success and how well support staff and franchisees work together to achieve their business objectives. The companies on this year’s Culture100 list are rated 20% – 50% higher by their franchisees than other franchise brands in the key areas that contribute to a positive culture. If you’re considering buying a franchise, we recommend you start your search there.”

Visit FranchiseBusinessReview.com to see the full list of the 2025 Best Franchise Cultures

The post KOA Named to Franchise Business Review’s ‘Culture 100’ first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

BILLINGS, Mont. – Kampgrounds of America, Inc. (KOA) was recently named to Franchise Business Review’s 2025 “Culture100” list. The list recognizes the top 100 franchise brands in its annual research on the Best Franchise Cultures, according to a release.

KOA is the largest network of privately owned campgrounds globally, with approximately 500 locations across North America. Founded in Billings, Montana in 1962, the company opened its first franchise in Cody, Wyoming two years later. With campgrounds conveniently located in local communities and near iconic destinations, KOA is the predominate leader in outdoor hospitality, offering widespread access to outdoor accommodations for all types of campers. Most KOA campgrounds are franchised, operated by a range of owners —from single-property hosts to businesses managing 15 or more campgrounds.

“As a franchise organization, our franchisees are the backbone of our business,” said Toby O’Rourke, President and CEO of Kampgrounds of America (KOA). “It is an honor to be recognized by Franchise Business Review as a leading franchise for company culture. Our core values—family orientation, customer focus, innovation, passion, and entrepreneurship—are at the heart of everything we do. We are proud to foster a workplace culture that inspires passion and builds meaningful connections across our organization.”

Franchise Business Review, a research firm that conducts independent surveys of franchisee satisfaction, provides the only ratings of franchises based solely on actual franchisee satisfaction and performance. Franchise Business Review publishes its rankings of top franchises semi-annuallyin its Guide to Today’s Top Franchises, as well as industry reports throughout the year that highlight research on the top franchises in specific sectors.

KOA was among more than 350 franchise brands representing over 35,000 franchise owners that participated in Franchise Business Review’s research on the best franchise cultures. Franchisees were surveyed on 33 benchmark questions about their experience and satisfaction regarding critical areas of their franchise systems. The brands that were selected received the highest overall ratings based on 17 unique areas that contribute to a strong company culture, including leadership, core values, franchisee community, and engagement.

“Finding the right culture fit is an important part of any franchise investment decision, but it can be difficult to gauge,” said Michelle Rowan, president & COO of Franchise Business Review. “Franchise Business Review gathers data on how current franchise owners rate a brand’s culture and compare it to industry benchmarks. That data gives potential buyers insights into important indicators of a positive culture, such as if franchisees believe the franchisor cares about their success and how well support staff and franchisees work together to achieve their business objectives. The companies on this year’s Culture100 list are rated 20% – 50% higher by their franchisees than other franchise brands in the key areas that contribute to a positive culture. If you’re considering buying a franchise, we recommend you start your search there.”

Visit FranchiseBusinessReview.com to see the full list of the 2025 Best Franchise Cultures

The post KOA Named to Franchise Business Review’s ‘Culture 100’ first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

BILLINGS, Mont. – Kampgrounds of America, Inc. (KOA) was recently named to Franchise Business Review’s 2025 “Culture100” list. The list recognizes the top 100 franchise brands in its annual research on the Best Franchise Cultures, according to a release.

KOA is the largest network of privately owned campgrounds globally, with approximately 500 locations across North America. Founded in Billings, Montana in 1962, the company opened its first franchise in Cody, Wyoming two years later. With campgrounds conveniently located in local communities and near iconic destinations, KOA is the predominate leader in outdoor hospitality, offering widespread access to outdoor accommodations for all types of campers. Most KOA campgrounds are franchised, operated by a range of owners —from single-property hosts to businesses managing 15 or more campgrounds.

“As a franchise organization, our franchisees are the backbone of our business,” said Toby O’Rourke, President and CEO of Kampgrounds of America (KOA). “It is an honor to be recognized by Franchise Business Review as a leading franchise for company culture. Our core values—family orientation, customer focus, innovation, passion, and entrepreneurship—are at the heart of everything we do. We are proud to foster a workplace culture that inspires passion and builds meaningful connections across our organization.”

Franchise Business Review, a research firm that conducts independent surveys of franchisee satisfaction, provides the only ratings of franchises based solely on actual franchisee satisfaction and performance. Franchise Business Review publishes its rankings of top franchises semi-annuallyin its Guide to Today’s Top Franchises, as well as industry reports throughout the year that highlight research on the top franchises in specific sectors.

KOA was among more than 350 franchise brands representing over 35,000 franchise owners that participated in Franchise Business Review’s research on the best franchise cultures. Franchisees were surveyed on 33 benchmark questions about their experience and satisfaction regarding critical areas of their franchise systems. The brands that were selected received the highest overall ratings based on 17 unique areas that contribute to a strong company culture, including leadership, core values, franchisee community, and engagement.

“Finding the right culture fit is an important part of any franchise investment decision, but it can be difficult to gauge,” said Michelle Rowan, president & COO of Franchise Business Review. “Franchise Business Review gathers data on how current franchise owners rate a brand’s culture and compare it to industry benchmarks. That data gives potential buyers insights into important indicators of a positive culture, such as if franchisees believe the franchisor cares about their success and how well support staff and franchisees work together to achieve their business objectives. The companies on this year’s Culture100 list are rated 20% – 50% higher by their franchisees than other franchise brands in the key areas that contribute to a positive culture. If you’re considering buying a franchise, we recommend you start your search there.”

Visit FranchiseBusinessReview.com to see the full list of the 2025 Best Franchise Cultures

The post KOA Named to Franchise Business Review’s ‘Culture 100’ first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

The RV Industry Association’s (RVIA) Workplace Safety Committee is dedicated to fostering a culture of safety within the RV industry, and we’re actively seeking new voices to join our ranks! This vital committee is open to anyone from a member company who is passionate about protecting our most valuable asset: our employees.

Improving workplace safety is a forever goal, and we believe that robust conversations and information sharing are key to achieving it. Protecting our team members is of paramount importance, and by collaborating, we can continually enhance safety standards and practices across the industry.

We invite you to be part of these critical discussions. Our next in-person meeting will be held in Elkhart on Monday, Aug. 19. If you’re interested in serving on the committee and contributing to a safer future for the RV industry, please reach out to staff liaison Monika Geraci at [email protected].

The post RVIA: Consider Joining the Workplace Safety Committee first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

The RV Industry Association’s (RVIA) Workplace Safety Committee is dedicated to fostering a culture of safety within the RV industry, and we’re actively seeking new voices to join our ranks! This vital committee is open to anyone from a member company who is passionate about protecting our most valuable asset: our employees.

Improving workplace safety is a forever goal, and we believe that robust conversations and information sharing are key to achieving it. Protecting our team members is of paramount importance, and by collaborating, we can continually enhance safety standards and practices across the industry.

We invite you to be part of these critical discussions. Our next in-person meeting will be held in Elkhart on Monday, Aug. 19. If you’re interested in serving on the committee and contributing to a safer future for the RV industry, please reach out to staff liaison Monika Geraci at [email protected].

The post RVIA: Consider Joining the Workplace Safety Committee first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

WASHINGTON — Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on Tuesday stuck to his position that the central bank will keep its key rate on hold while it waits to see how President Donald Trump’s tariffs effect the economy, despite the steady stream of criticism from the White House, which wants lower borrowing costs, according to an Associated Press report.

Powell, speaking in Sintra, Portugal, at a conference hosted by the European Central Bank, also said that U.S. inflation is likely to pick up later this summer, though he acknowledged that the timing and magnitude of any price increase from the duties is uncertain. But he said the Fed will keep rates on hold while it evaluates the impact of tariffs on the U.S. economy.

“As long as the economy is in solid shape, we think the prudent thing to do is to wait and see what those effects might be,” Powell said, referring to the sweeping duties Trump has imposed this year.

Click here to read the full Associated Press report.

The post Fed’s Powell Remains Steadfast Amid Trump Attacks first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

WASHINGTON — Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on Tuesday stuck to his position that the central bank will keep its key rate on hold while it waits to see how President Donald Trump’s tariffs effect the economy, despite the steady stream of criticism from the White House, which wants lower borrowing costs, according to an Associated Press report.

Powell, speaking in Sintra, Portugal, at a conference hosted by the European Central Bank, also said that U.S. inflation is likely to pick up later this summer, though he acknowledged that the timing and magnitude of any price increase from the duties is uncertain. But he said the Fed will keep rates on hold while it evaluates the impact of tariffs on the U.S. economy.

“As long as the economy is in solid shape, we think the prudent thing to do is to wait and see what those effects might be,” Powell said, referring to the sweeping duties Trump has imposed this year.

Click here to read the full Associated Press report.

The post Fed’s Powell Remains Steadfast Amid Trump Attacks first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.

FREELTON, Ontario — The Ontario RV Dealers Association (ORVDA) announced that the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) has implemented long anticipated updates to the province’s licensing requirements for motorhome operators, according to a release.

Effective July 1, 2025, updated regulatory changes will be reflected across Drive Test files on Ontario.ca and the MTO’s official communications channels. These changes align Ontario’s licensing requirements with most other Canadian jurisdictions, simplifying the process for RV consumers and reducing unnecessary barriers to operating a motorhome safely and legally.

“We are excited about the introduction of an RV-specific license. Eliminating the requirement for a commercial license to operate motorhomes over 11000 kilograms simplifies the process for both dealers and customers. It makes RV travel more accessible and approachable without compromising safety,” said Amy Verwey, general manager, Owasco RV Centre, Bowmanville, ON.

“The introduction of a motorhome-specific license addresses a longstanding regulatory gap,” said Chris McKee, General Sales Manager & Co-Owner at The Hitch House. “The previous framework placed an undue burden on both consumers and industry staff, applying commercial training standards to non-commercial vehicles. This change creates a more appropriate and accessible pathway for Ontarians to operate motorhomes safely and legally.

“We would also like to thank everyone at the ORVDA for their contributions, with special appreciation to Shane Devenish, president of the Canadian Recreational Vehicle Association,” McKee added.

The licensing change follows focused advocacy and collaboration between ORVDA’s Government Relations Committee and the Ministry of Transportation. The new framework enhances regulatory clarity while supporting the continued growth of Ontario’s RV industry.

“We are extremely grateful to Minister Sarkaria and his team at the Ministry of Transportation for their sustained collaboration with our industry. Over many months, their team collaborated closely with us to help design an online learning module that not only enhances road safety but also removes long-standing licensing barriers for motorhome owners. This is a meaningful and much-needed change for our sector,” said Shane Devenish, ORVDA Government Relations Committee.

The post Ontario Motorhome Operators Obtain Licensing Victory first appeared on RVBusiness - Breaking RV Industry News.