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Community & regional
support
Clinch River Valley Initiative
Adventure Tourism Workshops
Lee and Wise County Outdoor Recreation Access
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