Knott County Tourism Commission
Strategic Plan Meetings
U.S. Corps of Engineer Office, Carr Creek Lake
The Knott County Tourism Commission met at the Army Corp of Engineer Office at Carr Creek Lake.
Present: Bernice Amburgey, Richard Pigman, Stephanie Damron, Sylvia Ison Combs, Stewart Burrill, Rebecca Ware and Debby Spencer.
Debby Spencer, consultant, for developing an Adventure Tourism Park System in Knott County, was instrumental in the strategic plan process and brain storming session. She explained how she came to Knott County through Judge Thompson’s interest in tourism for Knott County. She mentioned that a team came from Washington, DC and Tennessee to put the strategic plan together. Other phases are being added to include the entire county.
Debby asked that public meetings be held in different parts of the county and the Commission to explore their particular areas for possible people who would be interested in developing tourism. For example: Bernice Amburgery would work with the Carr Creek area including; Pinetop, Red fox, Sassafras, Brinkley and other areas included in the lake area. Stephanie Damron would work to form a meeting in the Pippa Passes area, Sylvia would work with Carrie/Emmalena area, Richard Pigman would work with the Mall Restaurant/Mallie area, Stuart Burrill would work with Hindman/Artisan Center, Knott County Branch of Hazard Community College and Rebecca Ware will work with the City of Hindman/Hindman Settlement School community.
These public meetings would include discussions on:
How their area of the county would complement the offerings of Adventure Tourism.
To educate the locals of what is being offered for tourism and the opportunities that these offerings would provide in their communities.
Ways of improving infrastructure in their areas.
This is just to name a few topics that could be stressed in the Public Meetings as an opportunity to get people talking and brain storming about what they would like to see happen in the next 5 years for Knott County Tourism.
Each member present were asked to give their view on what they would like to see in their communities in the form of tourism and what is already being done to promote tourism. One area that is being used greatly is the Carr Creek Lake State Park host to about 600,000 to 700,00 visitors each year. Debby mentioned that there still are individuals in state government who do not know about Carr Creek Lake being part of the State Park System.
Bernice Amburgey talked about the Carr Creek Wildlife Management areas. She mentioned that she would like to see a horse campground developed possibly having cabins for lodging. Carr Creek already has Carr Creek Fish and Game Club, which includes a shooting area and clubhouse. The Carr Creek area also has 4Star Village that provides a pond for rent, shelters, catering and host events for the community throughout the year. Another benefit for the community is that the Park Rangers provide fishing for children, archery and help with cleanup for various groups such as: Dad’s Day Out! sponsored by the Knott County Drug Abuse Council. The Red Fox area has a community park and ATV Trails.
The Holly Hills Shopping Center is host to several annual events throughout the year that draws several hundred people to the area. One idea is to have lodging available for that event, as well as events hosted by other groups in the county. Richard mentioned that there is possible land that may be available for a motel. It was felt that this would be a wonderful project to explore to find if there would be enough interest and events in the area to keep a motel occupied throughout the year. A Bed and Breakfast was discussed. One possible historical location would be the Carl D. Perkins Farm.
Stephanie Damron mentioned that there are funds available for Welcome to Knott County signs. She mentioned that possible Elk viewing location plans are needed and signage needed to be provided along with information about the Elk. Stephanie mentioned that the entrepreneur center is being developed at Alice Lloyd College which would help to open doors for individual who want to start businesses in our area.
Stuart mentioned that he would like to see four buildings available in Hindman for the artisan community. A vibrant down town is necessary to grow tourism. The city has already placed benches and flowerpots to help with beautifying Hindman, which look very nice. Communication between the Tourism Commission and Tourism Office was discussed and the commission will help to develop a plan for communication along with Debby Spencer’s help.
The commission has already explored the possibility to have an information gazebo be placed in the parking lot edge of Yoder’s Bulk Store. Yoder’s has agreed to have this placed on their property. A needed plan was discussed to have Route 1098 going to the Sutton Memorial Park paved and to have more public relations developed for Knott County.
Sylvia touched on the Carrie Community Center and how she writes a newsletter in the local paper to get information out to the community. She mentioned that her center host music shows, Wednesday dinners, and have plans to develop a walking track, benches to set around a water fountain with gold fish and others.
The Cordia Community Center, high school and park were discussed. This area needs to be included in the tourism plans.
Rebecca discussed the vision of having a Knott County Museum of History and Kids Hands-On Exploration center. Knott County has always been a very progressive County in the area of Arts, Crafts, Dance, Music, Storytelling, Sports, Authors, Education, and Medicine. There have been many people who have made positive impacts on the County and there is a wealth of historical information that could be included in a museum.
There have always been parking issues for downtown Hindman and will probably always be a problem. Parking would be an issue for further discussion.
This meeting adjourned at 11:45 a.m. with the knowledge that another meeting will need to be held for more discussion.
OVERVIEW OF KNOTT COUNTY TOURISM COMMITTEE
U.S. CORPS OF ENGINEER OFFICE
AT CARR CREEK LAKE
Anticipated outcomes of strategic planning meetings:
1. Compile complete list of current and potential offerings in each area
2. Educate locals of offerings and opportunities
3. Address infrastructure needs and concerns
Countywide Overview
1. Elk viewing plan for countywide
2. Motorcycle Trails to capitalize on windy roads
a. Budweiser – Combs Custom Cycles
3. Entrepreneurship Program
4. Hospitality Training
5. Capitalize on Yoder’s popularity
6. Pave Hwy 1098 to Sutton Memorial Park
7. Welcome signs at all four major entrances to county (Hwy 80 and Hwy 15)
8. Welcome signs into each community
9. Welcome Banners
10. Need gazebo at 160/80 to direct visitors to all offerings throughout the county
a. Yoder’s has agreed to provide space next to them.
