Downstream Strategies has published its River Cities Redevelopment Roadmap, a targeted tourism development plan for the cities of Smithers and Montgomery.

The River Cities hope to attract future hikers to their inner city as major hiking trails are planned for the Upper Kanawha Valley in West Virginia and the nearby New River Gorge National Park and Preserve are being built. With this in mind, Downstream Strategies has developed its Redevelopment Roadmap as a tool to help Smithers and Montgomery develop their community tourism capacities so cities are ready to take advantage of new market opportunities in the outdoor economy.

Downstream Strategies, a Morgantown-based environmental and economic development consultancy, often helps small rural communities plan the tourism economy from the ground up. Using the company’s tourism infrastructure assessment framework, the redevelopment roadmap identifies specific businesses, services, and other amenities needed to attract trekkers to Montgomery and Smithers, and provides guidance on how to target businesses in the riverside towns Can accelerate the tourism sector.

Funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as part of Fayette County’s 2018 Brownfields Assessment Grant Project, the plan takes an innovative approach to remediation planning. After an introductory market assessment, the roadmap lists a number of viable business opportunities for the tourism sector, many of which are linked to specific properties that have been valued as part of the Brownfields project. In addition, detailed business start-up scenarios for two key companies are presented: a campsite for RVs and a restaurant.

“Our goal with this plan was to show that these proposed Smithers and Montgomery tourism businesses can be not only profitable but also successful,” said plan lead author Sara Cottingham, a community planner at Downstream Strategies. “Each of the business scenarios we model would amortize its start-up costs within a few years.

“And you don’t have to be a millionaire to start one of these companies.”

“This plan is extensive and exciting,” said Greg Ingram, Mayor of Montgomery. “If you are an entrepreneur or plan to start a business soon, please consider Montgomery and Smithers. We have spent countless hours studying and are now implementing the results of those plans. We have prepared a place that is ripe for adventure and is ripe for entrepreneurs to start or grow their business. “

Smithers Mayor Anne Cavalier: “This area is ripe for economic recovery thanks to the work of many, including downstream strategies. I honestly believe this is the year of transformation – the year we go around the corner – and we will.” all look. ” Go back and you know, this was when everything changed for the better. In our region, the sparks of growth saw the vitality of new retail stores, restaurants and services. “

The two mayors plan to present the community afterwards to share the results of the redevelopment roadmap with local executives, community members and potential entrepreneurs.

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