Page 86 - High Knob Master Plan

PROJECT/INITIATIVES
KEY PARTNERS
ACTION TEAMS
ACTION STEPS
PRIORITY
TIMELINE
Year 1
Year 2-5
Year 5-10
Goal #1: Establish a Tourism Readiness Program
Develop a certified guides program
High Knob Entity Friends of SWVA MECC or UVA Wise
Assets
> Establish pilot program in HK region to validate and grow businesses through SWVA “certified guide” program
Medium
Develop a hospitality training program
High Knob Entity MECC or UVA Wise Private Businesses
Assets
> Promote hospitality through region by branding the “High Knob Welcome”.
> Model tourism readiness assessment similar to Abingdon CVB’s method of identifying destination/ business needs based on staffing, signage, seasonality, pricing, etc.
Low
Identify tourism business zones
Gateway Communities
Assets
> ID Tourism Zones in towns and counties within the region as allowed by statue statutes.
> Adopt Tourism Zone ordinance
High
Goal #2: Cultivate a Business Culture of Success
Compile a business wish list
High Knob Entity Gateway Communities Business Development Partners
Incentives
> Using Master Plan data as foundation, identify regional business needs and coordinate recruitment across gateway communities, limiting competition, and connecting regional offerings across entire region.
High
Encourage promotions that help businesses be more successful
High Knob Entity Private Businesses
Incentives
> Organize “Backyard Thursdays” event to promote extended hours across communities.
> Promote successes (new businesses, etc.) with “Backyard Parties” to connect success with regional identity.
Low
Goal #3: Connect Outdoor Recreation and Business Opportunity
Implement outdoor business incubators throughout the region
High Knob Entity Industrial Development
Capital Improvements
> Design and secure grants for North Side Incubator project
> Design and secure grants for Scott Co. Tourism
> Construct North Side incubator > Construct Scott Co. incubator
> Assess opportunities / need for other incubators
Create entrepreneurial development program for outdoor businesses
High Knob Entity UVA Wise Opportunity SWVA
Incentives
> Consider “Venture-UP” outdoor recreation entrepreneurial challenge and training geared towards rec-based businesses. Model after Rally SWVA and coordinate through UVA Wise
> Partner with Opportunity SWVA to promote its business development efforts including Rally SWVA and KIVA financing.
Medium
Establish Trail Management Program
High Knob Entity UVA Wise
Assets
> Approach UVA Wise to discuss feasibility of establishing a Trail Management Major or trail management curriculum.
> Seek for partnerships (i.e. City of Norton) to help train people for trail design, development and management.
> Establish Trail Management program at UVA Wise
Low
Market lodging offerings throughout region
High Knob Entity Heart of Appalachia Gateway Communities Private Sector Opportunity SWVA
Assets
> Coordinate collective marketing of non-traditional lodging through sharing platforms like HomeAway and Airbnb.
> Create startup manuals and management guidance to encourage private sector to develop product
Medium
86 CHAPTER 10: IMPLEMENTATION HIGH KNOB REGIONAL INITIATIVE
Principle #3: Enhance the Regional Economy