Hiawassee develops plan to capitalize on natural, cultural assets

HIAWASSEE, Ga. – A team from the City of Hiawassee participated in a three-day workshop designed especially for towns and communities bordering national or state parks, forests, and other treasured public lands in the Appalachian Region. Working with national and regional experts on sustainable tourism, economic development, the arts, natural and cultural resources, transportation, and branding, the five-person team crafted a new vision that focuses on the unique Appalachian assets that make Towns County an appealing place to live, work and recreate.

The partnership of the Appalachian Regional Commission, the National Endowment for the Arts, and The Conservation Fund convened the program. With partnership and relationship-building as essential elements to the Appalachian Gateway Communities Regional Workshop, each of the eight participating communities – from across Appalachia – formed a diverse team that included a public land manager, elected officials, business and tourism representatives, civic leaders, and community arts representatives.

The team consists of the following members:

David Weber – Young Harris College
Annaka Woodruff – Appalachian Regional Commission
Patrick Larson – Ga Mountain Regional Commission
Julia Sparks – Brasstown Bald
Liz Ordiales – Hiawassee Mayor
Denise McKay – Economic Development Director

“This venture is a great collaboration with the major stakeholders in our area; Towns County, Young Harris College and both Cities, Hiawassee and Young Harris,” Katie Allen, Director of The Conservation Fund’s Conservation, said. Leadership Network We look forward to providing more activities for our residents as well as generate additional visitor events. The City of Hiawassee’s partnership was an ideal candidate for the Appalachian Gateway Communities Initiative because of the terrific natural and cultural resources and the emphasis of the arts in its community’s plans. It’s our goal to help communities foster valuable partnerships, reinforce development plans that balance environmental and economic goals and provide technical assistance to enable places like Towns County to become even more vibrant and thriving communities.”

The Appalachian Gateway Communities Regional Workshop is part of an initiative developed by the Appalachian Regional Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts. Since 2007, the Gateway Initiative has helped gateway communities across Appalachia expand tourism and other economic development opportunities through community assessments, tourism planning workshops and grants for project implementation.

The Conservation Fund has worked to strengthen the leadership capacity of towns, cities, and communities that neighbor publicly protected natural and recreational lands in distressed, transitional or at-risk counties.

The workshop was held at Steele Creek State Park in Bristol, TN in November 2019.