“We can make Richwood great again” – Community group looks forward

BY THE #RICHWOODRISING HUBCAP TEAM

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“Richwood may never be what it once was, but we can make it something great again.” This is the mantra of the Richwood Hub Communities of Achievement Program (HubCAP) team as we work to redevelop, revitalize and reshape our town.

Our group, dubbed the #richwoodrising team, has identified key goals for growing tourism and Main Street business development and recruitment. The expansion of a bike trail network through the New River Gorge Regional Trail Authority and increased focus on motorcycle tourism has helped shape the direction of the team.

This spring, fifteen tourism-based businesses in Richwood collaborated for a shared motorcycle advertisement in a three-state map highlighting various routes. We are planning additional collaborative marketing efforts for this fall. The team also developed new relationships with those in the mountain bike and motorcycle community to better maximize the potential of the trail development, and we are working on a strategic marketing and branding campaign to help visitors better connect to the town.

Since starting the HubCAP initiative, Richwood has seen a flurry of new businesses. An identified need for more flexible lodging options has been filled with the addition of five new cabin or cottage rentals as well as a soon-to-open hostel, Cherry River Bunkhouse. An outfitter, Back Mountain Adventures, will open next month offering kayak, boat, and bike rentals as well as a shuttle service catering to bikers, boaters, and fisherman. A coffee roasting business, Cherry River Roasting, is bringing freshly roasted coffee to Main Street as well as selling their products around the state. Richwood’s existing dining establishments have been rounded out with the addition of the Chill Out Grill, a quick dining and ice cream restaurant, and Whistle Punk Grill and Taphouse, a full service restaurant offering hand crafted food.

The #richwoodrising team plans to continue to focus on growing mountain biking and motorcycle tourism as well as growing the number of local businesses. New logo and branding materials will be rolled out in a campaign highlighting the area assets as well as in a new mural and welcome sign. 

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Ready to link up with the #richwoodrising efforts? Connect with local business owner Stacy Raffo at stacyraffo@frontier.com to plug in.