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.
Franklin and Cowen leaned into the HubCAP IV technical assistance (TA) grant funding to study ways to create an outdoor experience for citizens and visitors. In Franklin, the community-led team of volunteers decided to set themselves apart in the region by developing a unique outdoor experience: the team conducted a rock climbing feasibility study. Cowen looked to revitalize a historic and wonderful piece of land for outdoor gatherings with the development of the B&O Pond.
Franklin
Franklin realized during the HubCAP IV program that they wanted to create something new and different to their town and county to attract outdoor recreation enthusiasts. After a discussion among community members, Franklin and Pendleton County realized that a study in rock climbing could help differentiate the community’s recreational draw from other communities in West Virginia.
“After a conversation with Franklin’s coach, Amanda Workman Scott, we decided that a study would be the perfect use of our (technical assistance) funding,” said Laura Brown, the Executive Director of the Pendleton County Economic Development Authority. “We are not only gathering current existing rock formations that are open for public use, but also gathering the data for private rock formations for future use. The study will give us a map to use internally as well as provide the state tourism office with information regarding tourism assets.”
Focusing on the rock study and rock climbing will set Franklin and Pendleton County apart as they navigate a way to join the growing movement of outdoor recreational economies. The study, conducted with the help of Downstream Strategies, will give the team a map of all the feasible rock faces that can be utilized to make the rock-climbing future of Pendleton County a reality.
The exciting possibility of a rock climbing tourist attraction has helped the town and county with their rebranding efforts. The county’s new slogan “Pendleton Rocks, Worth the Climb,” which came from a branding initiative with New South Media as part of the HubCAP IV technical assistance funds, shows the enthusiasm from community members to lean into this new phase of recreation in the county.
Studying natural assets is proving to be an increasingly beneficial development for Franklin and Pendleton County. Citizens have joined in to get involved and make this plan a reality. As the study continues, Pendleton County will lean into making it a destination for rock climbing, caving, slacklining, rappelling, and all the recreational outdoor activities that come along with focusing on the rock formations.
Cowen
Cowen looked close to home for the recreational development project identified as part of their HubCAP IV technical assistance. Focusing on the B&O Pond, the community wants to create an outdoor gathering place just north of downtown, so the community can truly enjoy the natural beauty of the area and a small bit of history that is important to the area.
For years, the pond served as a place to provide water to service steam engines, and the site was a major repair hub for engines. During World War I and World War II, the site was the place that soldiers from West Virginia loaded onto trains to depart for and return from the wars.
Now, the area is being repurposed to create a place for the community. It has been a long-term goal of the Cowen community team to make the B&O Pond a place for families and Cowen citizens to enjoy.
With the help of HubCAP IV training and technical assistance funds, Cowen has started to work to transform the B&O Pond into a place to be active and spend time outdoors. Picnic tables have been placed around the pond, and the community is encouraged to enjoy the peace of nature by fishing and canoeing throughout the pond. As Jerry Dornburg, the Mayor of Cowen, says, “It is just the beginning of the plan created, thanks to studies from the WV Brownfields Assistance Center (a HubCAP IV partner).”
“The town is going to purchase a couple of floating docks to install for the local fisherman to launch and recover their kayaks and also for people to fish from,” Mayor Dornburg explains. “A walking trail will be developed once the area is cleared and the best route is determined. The town will also add a couple more tables and grills to the area. The team has worked with the WVU Brownfields Assistance Center to have a phase 1 environmental study completed.”
We are so excited to see our communities work so hard to transform their towns and economies…way to go!
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.
To learn more about HubCAP, reach out to Stacy Thomas at s.thomas@wvhub.org