Hello Patrick,
The trees are budding, the daffodils are showing strength, and my allergies are in full swing. The beauty of spring is rolling through our community, and you can feel the excitement in the air. This is the time of the year that you should put a little “spring in your step,” as the older folks would say.
Speaking of steps, Tourism applied for a grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission, and we were chosen to be a part of the Appalachian Gateway Community Initiative. We had a team of eight members that went down to Decatur, Alabama, for a three-day workshop of intense training in community development focusing on tourism. During the three-day workshop, participating teams heard from national and regional experts exchanged ideas with other teams and ultimately developed action plans for their communities.
Our team received targeted technical assistance and a community tourism assessment during the workshops. Our team members were Rebecca Adcock (director of PC Chamber of Commerce), Sissily Harrell (architect), Wayne Kirkpatrick (Dan River Basin Association member), Lora Mahaffey (president of Bull Mountain Arts), Travis Murphy (director of PC Parks & Rec), Bryce Simmons (Stuart Town Manager), Sarah Wray (Reynolds Homestead Community Engagement, Partnership & Program coordinator) and James Houchins (director of PC Tourism).
Patrick, we are one of Appalachia’s gateway communities, towns bordering on publicly owned lands and state parks. Our goal was to learn more ways to preserve our spaces while promoting their nature and culture, which is critical to economic growth, especially for areas experiencing economic distress and transition. The workshops informed us on developing thoughtful strategies to grow our economy and protect our natural treasures. We represented you well, Patrick. Our team has come back with an awesome plan, and we look forward to meeting with all our stakeholders as we progress with our community growth project.
You can learn more at https://www.arc.gov/investment/appalachian-gateway-communities-initiative-providing-tools-for-tourism/
FYI! We let the other teams know they should come and get lost and find themselves in Patrick County. The one and only PATRICK COUNTY! Talk to you soon, love you!
James Houchins
Director of Tourism
