The fourth iteration of the Hub Communities of Achievement Program (HubCAP IV) has concluded and our communities really showed up for the work. Cowen, Marlinton, Elkins, Petersburg, White Sulphur Springs, and Franklin took advantage of all the technical assistance offered and got moving on incredible studies and projects. Each community identified and worked on projects aimed at outdoor recreational tourism and attracting new opportunities for their towns. We spoke with some of the community team members as they wrapped up HubCAP IV and talked about what they’ve been working on over the course of the program.
Outdoor recreational tourism is something that communities across West Virginia have been focusing on as a growing industry in the state. West Virginia is poised to continue growing tourism as the natural wonders of the Mountain State continue to be developed and preserved to attract adventure seekers and give residents a chance to explore their home in a new way.
In this short series, we will highlight these Hub Communities in pairs to show the work happening across our communities and the state to grow West Virginia’s outdoor recreational economies.
Petersburg and Elkins decided to develop their towns to make them more attractive to visitors in-person and through marketing. Both communities spent their technical assistance resources to create plans for riverfront development as well as creating dynamic and updated branding to catch potential visitors’ eyes.
Petersburg
Petersburg is a community at the northernmost portion of the Mon Forest. This community of “do-ers” took advantage of the HubCAP IV program to focus on two large projects, riverfront development and branding. Additionally, the Petersburg team was able to get an AmeriCorps Volunteer in Service to America added to their team to volunteer time on numerous other projects, including a downtown beautification weekend.
The HubCAP team worked with local engineers and the Army Corps of Engineers to develop plans to pave a hike and bike trail that runs along the Petersburg dike. The proposed trail will run approximately three miles along the Petersburg dike and will include multiple entrances for walkers and bikers. The trail along the Petersburg dike was first conceived as a health and wellness improvement for the community with hopes it could also have a positive impact on tourism. The group secured a $25,000 grant from Senator Hamilton, which was matched locally by the City of Petersburg, the County Commission, and the Board of Education, each adding an equal share to bring the total to $50,000.
“This to me has so many win-wins for our community,” Bob McCalley says. “The trail will connect neighborhoods and allow safe walking or biking from one end of town to the other.”
The group continues to seek funding resources for the completion of the trail.
The team further utilized this opportunity to develop new branding to tie into the Mon Forest Towns initiative with increased branding. Carla Kaposy, the Grant County Convention and Visitors Bureau Director, led these efforts while working closely with New South Media. The result is new promotional materials and a new website highlighting what the area has to offer.
“The new branding will help us grow tourism in Petersburg and Grant County, introducing new people to our community,” Kaposy says.
Petersburg and Franklin are also working in collaboration to develop branding for the Smoke Hole Canyon.
Elkins
The Elkins team focused on continuing momentum from several initiatives over the last few years and building on projects to help their downtown continue to be a recreational asset. Elkins is the most centrally located and largest community in the Mon Forest. Yet, the team recognized that finding one’s way around their community can be difficult. That’s why the HubCAP team of Elkins focused on riverfront development and better branding for their community.
Ideas and efforts surrounding riverfront redevelopment have been ebbing and flowing in Elkins since 2016. Several studies were completed and at least one previous master plan was produced, but follow-up action never took root. Now, thanks to the current effort focused on the Tygart Hotel restoration, Elkins’s HubCAP team knew it was time to make that dream a reality. The Riverfront Task Force successfully launched an online platform to solicit comments and hosted a public input event with the assistance of the design firm.
“One of our biggest hurdles is overcoming negative perceptions about the cleanliness of the river and how focusing resources on this project will ultimately benefit the community,” Elkins City Recorder Jessica Sutton says. “Community leaders recognize the potential and desirability of reframing the river into a usable asset. Community members have been equally receptive and excited in the prospect. Our hope is to improve alternative transportation to better connect our community, to offer easily accessible recreation options that will improve the health and well-being of our residents, and to increase our presence as a recreation tourism destination. Each of these will improve our economic and community viability.”
The plan was introduced to the City of Elkins in September 2022.
Elkins also focused on cohesive branding in conjunction with a city initiative to address wayfinding for motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians. Working with a designer, Skyler Spence, who was involved in brand development with the Mon Forest Towns initiative, the group was able to pick several colors and icons that can be used by organizations and businesses throughout the community.
Elkins will continue their efforts to implement and fund their riverfront development, business development, branding, and wayfinding.
The Hub’s Communities of Achievement Program (HubCAP) offers participating communities a time-tested curriculum to accelerate their community-led economic development efforts. We support community teams over a multi-year period to move forward a clearly defined community development project from initial idea to long-term implementation and financing. These projects are the spark for community revitalization including through activities such as building redevelopment, increasing business opportunities, and improving community engagement practices.
If you have questions about HubCAP, reach out to Stacy Thomas at s.thomas@wvhub.org.