Waverly — An eight-person team from Pike County participated in a three-day workshop designed especially for towns and communities bordering national or state parks, forests, and other treasured public lands in the Appalachian Region.
During the workshop the team heard from national and regional experts on destination stewardship, asset development, arts and culture, natural and recreation resources, and community branding. The team also developed a focused approach to build on their specific opportunities created by proximity to public lands and their confluence of resources.
The Appalachian Gateway Communities Initiative also includes four webinars and coaching support for each participating team, guiding them from asset identification to a detailed plan for project implementation.
With collaboration and partnership-building as essential elements within the program, the seven participating communities from across Appalachia brought together public land representatives, elected officials, business and tourism representatives, civic leaders, arts representatives, and recreation and natural resource interests. Through participation the community is eligible to apply for a seed grant for project implementation.
The 8-person team from Pike County was a diverse group of community leaders, stakeholders, and community members. Serving as the team lead was Chandler Grooms, Tourism Development Director with the Pike County Chamber of Commerce & Tourism. Grooms was joined by: Shelly Anderson, Economic Development Administrator for the Village of Waverly; Angel Glass, Waverly Councilwoman and Piketon business-owner; Bruce Overly, President of the Pike Heritage Foundation; Jennifer Buckler, Owner of the Farm Inn LLC and teacher at Western Elementary; Donavan Workman, District Park Manager for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources; and Zac and Emily Caldwell, local artists and entrepreneurs with Caldwell Art & Designs and EZ Sewing Co.
The team brought back a lot of valuable information and were energized by some of the ideas and opportunities they hope to share in Pike County. With the assistance of their coach for the program, Kim Davis, Executive Director of Friends of Southwest Virginia, the team developed an action plan for an idea that will bring art, history, downtown businesses, and natural resources together through a unique new experience and attraction for Pike County. The team will continue working on this action plan as they complete the Appalachian Gateway Communities Initiative in the coming months and look forward to sharing more information about the project as it moves forward.
“The value that this program has provided for our team and our communities is immeasurable, and I think that this type of collaboration, learning, and planning will have a tremendous impact on Pike County’s future success and opportunities in the areas of community development and revitalization, art and local culture, and recreation in our beautiful public lands and natural areas,” says Shelly Anderson. “We have so much potential for growth and success, and being able to work together and learn from other Appalachian communities and their achievements will strengthen our own plans for progress.”
“We were pleased to have representatives of Waverly, Piketon, and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources take part in the Appalachian Gateway Communities Initiative. They brought their challenges and opportunities, their energy and expertise, and the program provided a structure to action plan along with creative ideas and examples to inspire them,” said The Conservation Fund’s Balancing Nature and Commerce Program Manager, Susan Elks, AICP. “We were excited to have Pike County engage and advance solutions to economically lift their region while caring for people and place.”
Developed through the collaboration of the Appalachian Regional Commission, National Endowment for the Arts, and The Conservation Fund, the Appalachian Gateway Communities Initiative has helped more than 70 gateway communities across Appalachia expand tourism and other economic opportunities through technical assistance, training workshops and seed grants since 2007. Supported by Hargrove International, the program has strengthened leadership in communities in proximity to public lands and their natural, cultural, and recreational assets and amenities.
The workshop was held in Decatur, Alabama, and included a walking tour of Decatur’s main street and a farm to fork dinner that highlighted the strength to be found when arts, agriculture, history, and entrepreneurs intersect. Participants also had the opportunity to visit the Jesse Owens Memorial Park while immersed in the extensive history, natural wonders, arts, and music that North Alabama offers.
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