2017 Annual Report

Community & regional support Clinch River Valley Initiative Friends of Southwest Virginia serves as the fiscal agent for the 30+ steering committee. This includes managing funds, seeking and preparing grants, and assisting with implementation of funding. Currently, the ever evolving steering committee has 5 action groups including: Access points, Downtown Revitalization, State Park, Environmental Education, andWater Quality. Project Start Date: September 2010 Friends of SWVA in partnership with Virginia Community Capital, Virginia Tourism Corporation, Spearhead Trails and local community leadership will host an Adventure TourismWorkshop for anyone interested in starting an adventure tourism business. Southwest Virginia’s outdoor recreation initiatives are opening doors for one of the largest industries worldwide and this workshop outlines the regional initiatives, opportunities, best practices, resources, expert advice and steps required to start a successful adventure tourism business. Hear from local entrepreneurs and professionals providing an update on tourism initiatives in the region, along with resources for starting, marketing and financing a business. Project Start Date: October 2017 Through partnerships withWise and Lee County officials, Spearhead Trails, The Nature Conservancy, Game and Inland Fisheries and VDOT; Friends of Southwest Virginia and Spearhead Trails have applied for $500,000 to develop 6 access point along the Powell River in Lee county, 2 Access Points along the Pound River inWise County, and the construction of a bike park in Big Stone Gap and Pound. This recreation development will be constructed and maintained by Spearhead Trails and provide access to the natural resources to drive economic development in both Lee andWise county. Project Underway: Applied October 2017 – awaiting announcement Adventure Tourism Workshops Lee and Wise County Outdoor Recreation Access