• All seemed to agree that a hotel or multiple hotels at Chestnut Mountain Development near the Sportsplex was the most logical location.  
  Note:  Two hotels have expressed possible interest. 
• Other lodging recommendations included:
  • Developing B&B’s, cabins and campgrounds throughout the county. Potential sites and locations mentioned:
    • A horse campground and possibly cabins near Litt Carr
    • Potential B&B and/or small motel near Holly Hill – Recommend a partnership between ALC and Hindman Settlement School be worked out to insure occupancy during particular times of the year. 
    • Carl Perkins home might be a possible site for a B&B/small museum due to its historical significance.
    • Cabins in and around Carr Creek Lake are needed
    • Potential for campgrounds in the Beaver Dam (Consol area).
    • Convert Beckham Combs School classrooms into lodging unit
    • Both the grounds at Beckham Combs School and Caney School might be used for campgrounds since both already have water, sewer and electricity  and could accommodate up to 30 campers. 
    • Potential lodging at Pioneer Village in existing cabins.
    • There were a number of potential sites and interested parties in developing campgrounds and cabins throughout the county in particularly the Jones Fork area and a site near Raven if the county agrees to help market them. 
    • And county / grant funding has been set aside to develop an RV Park near the ATV Safety Training Center once land has been purchased.  

• Potential clientel include families, business trips, corporate , hunters, bikers, horseback riders, wildlife enthusiasts and boaters. 

All seemed to agree that whatever was built, it should be built well.  No one wanted to see shacks or used worn out trailers.  Knott Countians desired to become a “premier quality location to vacation”.  

• All groups tended to agree that a restaurant offering fine dining and atmosphere was very much needed in the county.  Again, people tended to see the Chestnut Mountain area near the Sportsplex as the most logical location for such a facility.

Recommendation Number 3 which was consistently agreed upon in each of the meetings:

• The need for a shuttle service which could offer elk & wildlife viewing opportunities and transport visitors from the Sportsplex and lake area to downtown Hindman to enjoy the museums, Artisan Center and working artists on Main Street and possibly include lunch at the Artisan Café, Mall area or Alice Lloyd College.  
  • This could be an opportunity for an entrepreneurial business.
  • The parking issue at Hindman was also discussed at length at a number of the meetings.  Some felt the Shuttle Service was a possible solution.  Others felt a parking structure was needed to accommodate increased traffic as tourism increases in the area.  

Recommendation Number 4:

• Better signage is needed throughout the county so people traveling through can find attractions and know that the area has a lot to offer.
  ACTION: Bernice Amburgey and Debby Spencer are working on developing a signage plan to submit to Kentucky Department of Transportation.

• Need to capitalize on the fact that Knott County is the “Elk Capital of the East” by using elk in everything that is done including signage, publications, billboards, special elk-themed events, t-shirts, logos etc. 
  ACTION:   An elk view station has been established on Elk View Drive near Sutton Memorial Park off Hwy 1098.   Others need to be developed and both directional and interpretive signs added. 
• ACTION:   Bernice Amburgey and Debby Spencer are working on developing a signage plan to submit to Kentucky Department of Transportation.

Recommendation Number 5:

Recommendation Number 6:

• Establish more trails as part of the vision of establishing a “county-wide adventure tourism park system.
  • Horse Trails:
    • Need day use or overnight camping if possible 
    • Develop  horse campgrounds at Litt Carr park area and near Sutton Memorial Park
  • There are 6 miles of horse trails identified and mapped near the Carr Creek area
    • Single Branch and other horse trails  already mapped - contact Bernice
    • Ky River Properties/ Private landowners.  Contact Ott Mullins
  • ATV Trails:
    • ATV trails need to be GPSed and mapped in the Red Fox  and Fire Trail areas and trailheads established.
    • Potential area for both ATV and horseback riding trails to be established is in the Jones Fork area connecting to the Fire Trail through Holly Bush then extended all the way into Virginia.
    • Another potential trail system is in the Big Branch area connecting with both Perry and Letcher counties.  Other areas include: Knob area, ICG property, Raven area and Hemp Patch
    • ACTION:  Landowners along these trails need to be identified and contacted.
  • Potential for developing mountain bike trails throughout the county
  • Already established bike routes across Knott County with safe havens established at Carrie Post Office and other locations along the route.
  • Motorcycle routes have been mapped but need to be promoted.
    • Need to find out more about Budweiser and Combs Custom Cycles
    • There is also a connection with NASCAR and Petty racing.  Find out more. 
  • Establish wildlife viewing trails and areas and add interpretive signs
    • Carbon Glow near Letcher is an excellent place to view wildlife
    • Pigman Bottoms near Pinetop one can view free-roaming horses
    • Bird watching areas include
      • Birgy Creek – excellent site for birdwatching but needs interpretive signs

Recommendation Number 7:

• Hunting Opportunities include but are not limited to:  elk, deer, grouse, quail, coon and fox
  • Entrepreneurial opportunities for hunting guide service and hunting kennels for those living in larger cities to have a place to keep their dogs. 
  • Need to work with local land owners to identify and map where people may hunt.

There were many other recommendations including, but not limited to:

• Need for greater marketing of Carr Creek Lake including both fishing and boating opportunities
• Potential for shooting range, clay shooting and archery shoot
• Also explore expanded use of Carr Creek Fish & Game area
• Potential shooting range in Carrie Community area
• Possibility of incorporating Cordia Community Center and High School into tourism plan.
• Camp Nathanael is an interested partner in tourism
• Better use and clean up of Troublesome Creek as a tourism asset
• New welcome cente4r proposed at the intersection of Hwy 160 & 80 through an agreement with Yoder’s and the Knott County Tourist Commission
• County funding available for amphitheater – Need to locate on public land.
• New Knott County/Letcher County airport is “in the works”.
• Need to develop more eco-friendly tourism opportunities.
• Need to encourage county-wide clean up
• Work with both PRIDE and CEDARinc.org
• Develop a craft trail
• Establish a Knott County Land Use Committee and have chapters within the county to address special needs for those areas.