Bobby D
Number of posts : 14579
Location : Blacksburg,Va
Registration date : 2009-02-08
 |  Subject: Matoaka getting in on the new Mercer County system  March 29th 2009, 1:53 am | |
| Published: March 27, 2009 10:36 am
Trail head rides in to Mercer
By TAMMIE TOLER
Princeton Times
PRINCETON
— The Hatfield-McCoy Trail system could roll into Mercer County this
fall and open for riders as early as spring 2010.
The Mercer
County Commission unanimously approved a trail head site in the
Coaldale Mountain-Bramwell Hill area Wednesday after receiving input
from HMT Executive Director Jeffrey Lusk and several supporters on hand
to hear the decision.
That area offers the best accessibility
for travelers, situated fairly close to U.S. 460 and Interstate 77
interchanges. In addition, Lusk said there were large tracts of
trail-worthy land available through the Pocahontas Land Corporation,
and Bramwell’s existing infrastructure and business backbone provided
the most promising place for the trail head.
Ultimately,
officials said all of Mercer County will benefit from the construction,
slated for mapping this summer, construction in the fall and a grand
opening in Spring 2010.
The Mercer County portion of the project will cost approximately $250,000.
Although
the Mercer extension of the trail system will start along U.S. 52
between Bramwell and the McDowell County line, Lusk said planners
intend to construct a connector route between the trail head and the
town of Matoaka, which also hopes to serve as a hub along the
all-terrain vehicle tourist attraction.
“You’ll actually have
two anchors in Mercer County — Bramwell and Matoaka,” Lusk said,
explaining that any area accessible to trail riders is prime for
development, no matter where the official entrance opens. “We look for
a great deal of development in both municipalities.”
The trail
system was created by the West Virginia Legislature in 1996 to draw ATV
enthusiasts into the Mountain State. So far, it’s been incredibly
successful, including six county trail systems, running through 11
incorporated municipalities and creating a business base for 53 new
establishments, Lusk said.
He doesn’t expect the growth to stop anytime soon.
Last
year, even in the face of soaring fuel prices, the trail system
reported a 21 percent growth rate, calculated through the sales of
permits issued to ride the trails.
“We are one of the fastest-growing tourism attractions in the state,” Lusk said.
Although
the trail is the attraction, Lusk said the entire county will feel the
economic impact of the HMT system, as riders seek lodging, meals and
other accommodations.
Along with funneling visitors into
Mercer’s existing hotels, motels, restaurants and retailers, he
estimated approximately 10-15 new businesses could open to cater to
riders and visitors traveling the trail.
Bramwell supporters on hand Wednesday welcomed the opportunity to serve the families who will one day ride through their town.
“It’s
a great day for Bramwell and for Mercer County,” Bramwell Mayor Louise
Stoker said. “This vote is opening up opportunities we can’t even
imagine today.”
The home of the millionaires already has the
opportunities for three or four bed-and-breakfast operations, and there
are apartments available for rent, Stoker said. But, she expected to
see other options become available in coming months.
Charlie
Mullins already owns Hillbilly Hideaway, a Simmons Road campground that
routinely draws ATV enthusiasts in the area, even without a trail head
constructed.
“It’s going to help the area. The ATV riders are already coming into the area, and this is only going to bring more,” he said.
David Parnell owns and operates the Bramwell Pop Shop, a convenience store that also sees a lot of ATV traffic.
“If they just do things right, this whole county will really benefit,” he said.
Speaking
for the County Commission, President Joe Coburn said he believed the
panel had examined and discussed the issue thoroughly prior to
Wednesday’s vote. From the Commission’s perspective, the U.S. 52 area
made the most sense for a trail head, but Coburn said he expected other
rural areas to benefit.
“We’re glad that you hopefully can extend this thing to the Montcalm and Matoaka [area] in the future,” he told Lusk.
For more information on the Hatfield-McCoy Trail, visit www.trailsheaven.com. | |
[/td][/tr][/table] | |
|
simoniz
Number of posts : 2840
Age : 49
Location : Browns Summit NC
Registration date : 2009-02-15
| | Subject: Re: Matoaka getting in on the new Mercer County system March 29th 2009, 10:48 pm | |
| We were right there on Friday but none of the locals knew where the new area was... | |
|
Calendar