Carter County is one of 29 communities across the state to receive a tourism enhancement grant through the state.
The awarding of the tourism enhancement grants was announced Thursday morning by Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Community Development Commissioner Randy Boyd.
“We want to congratulate the 29 communities that will be receiving Tourism Enhancement Grants,” Haslam said. “Tourism is an important part of our state economy, and these grants showcase how tourist development and economic development work together to make our state not only a great place to live and work, but a top tourist destination. With the assistance of these grants each community will be able to grow and enhance their local tourism assets.”
The grants help counties and cities improve local assets to increase the economic impact of tourism. The Tourism Enhancement Grants are funded through the Rural Economic Opportunity Act, which is designed to improve the economic indicators in rural communities across Tennessee.
Carter County received a grant in the amount of $20,000. The grants ranged in value from $10,000 to $50,000.
“We’re encouraged we received the grant,” Carter County Mayor Leon Humphrey said. “It’s a great opportunity for us.”
Humphrey said the grant will be coordinated through the Elizabethton/Carter County Chamber of Commerce, which the county has a contract with regarding the development and promotion of tourism.
Within the next week or so, Humphrey said he will be meeting with Chamber officials and Tourism Coordinator Kayla Carter to develop a plan for the grant funding.
“The grant was for developing an asset action plan,” Carter said.
What that entails is taking an “asset inventory” of all of the local natural resources, attractions and local businesses that offer tourism related services — such as lodging, restaurants, marinas, and guide services. Once the inventory is completed, the next phase is developing the “asset action plan” which will serve as a road map for helping promote those assets to visitors and potential tourists.
Both Humphrey and Carter said the Chamber will be working with a consulting firm to complete the asset action plan.
“We’re going to need the help of some professionals,” Humphrey said.
According to Carter, the next steps will be “getting the right people into the right places” by finding the right firm for the project by sending out a request for proposals, also called an RFP.
“Consultants can bid on the project, but they have to meet the state’s criteria,” Carter said.
Carter is excited about the opportunity the grants present the county.
“I think as long as everybody has input it will be successful,” she said. “Tourism is a viable economic development industry. It’s the second largest industry in the state.”