Supporting Tourism-based Economies during Economic Downturns

1. 2020 NADO Annual Training Conference | Supporting Tourism-based Economies during Economic Downturns
October 20, 2020

4. https://hsvchamber.org/wheels-in-motion-workforce-study-reveals-renewed-focus-for-north-alabama/

5. https://hsvchamber.org/wheels-in-motion-workforce-study-reveals-renewed-focus-for-north-alabama/

7. Sara James
Economic Development & Planning Director
sara.james@tarcog.us

8. h-gac.com Serving Today • Planning for Tomorrowh-gac.com Serving Today • Planning for Tomorrow

9. Supporting Tourism-Based
Economies in Rural America
Presentation for the NADO Annual
Training Conference
October 20, 2020
By Melissa Levy, Community Roots

10. WealthWorks Principles
10/19/2020 11
Multiple Forms of
Wealth
Improved Livelihoods
for Everyone
Local Ownership
WealthWorks: Doing Economic
Development Differently
Demand-driven community and economic development

11. What Makes a Community
Great?
• What are the positive assets
in your community? What
would land your community
on a “Top 10 Places to Visit”
list?
(Write these in the chatbox)
• These are the assets you have
to build upon
10/19/2020 12

12. Eight Forms of Community Capital

13. 10/19/2020 14

14. UNDERSTANDING OUR ASSETS
● Outdoor recreation
● Natural beauty
● Letchworth State Park (LSP)
● Topography/landscape
● The autism focused trail at LSP
● The National Warplane Museum.
● Arts/culture
● Quality of life
● Local foods
● Affordability for landowners
● Diversity of activities
● People
● Creativity
● Openness
● Security
● Local small businesses –
uniqueness
● Creative owners
● Pride of place
● Welcoming nature
● Rehabbing derelict properties
● Main Streets
● Access to water
● People willing to engage
● Topnotch workforce
● Proximity to health care and education
● Accessibility
● Potential for impact
● Breweries/wineries
● History
● Weather
● Low population density
● Character/sense of place
● Downtowns
● Balance
● Schools
● Safe
● Proximity to cities
● Diverse economy
● Retirees as assets
● Open space preservation
● Political – local governments interested in
maintaining place
What would land
your community
on a “Top 10
Places to Live”
list?

15. Value Chains • VALUE CHAIN:
A coordinated
network of
people,
businesses,
organizations,
and agencies
working
collaboratively
to meet a
market demand
opportunity.

16. PARTNERS (SUPPORT)
● Municipalities
● County Level Economic Development
(IDAs, Chambers of Commerce)
● Tourism (TPAs, Main Street
Associations, Outdoor Groups /
Recreation Orgs)
● Developers
● Businesses
● Residents / Volunteers passionate
about promoting / sharing the place
they live with visitors
● Land Managers
● Education and Training Institutions
CORE PARTNERS (TRANSACTIONAL)
● Accommodation (campgrounds,
B&Bs, Airbnbs, Hotels, Motels)
● Restaurants
● Breweries, wineries, cideries
● Equipment rental / Supplies
● Interpretive Guides
● Guided tour services - museums,
history walks, horseback riding, hikes
● Community Events - Main St.
Associations, Rotary, Kiwanis,
Municipalities, Friends Groups
● Retailers
● Restaurants
GATEWAY POINTS
(WHERE SUPPLY MEETS DEMAND)
● Historic Downtown Districts
● Public Lands (DEC, LSP, Genesee
Valley Greenway, FLT Conference)
● Outdoor Clubs - marathons /
triathlons, running groups, hiking &
cycling groups, snowmobilers
● Historical Societies
● Marketing and Promotion: TPAs,
Main Street Associations, Geotourism
Map Guide, Friends Groups (FOL and
FOGVG)
● County Arts Councils
● Visitor centers / hubs
VALUE CHAIN ROLES AND FUNCTIONS

17. Regional Outdoor Recreation / Tourism Value Chain
Millennials / Young
Families
(Rochester, Buffalo,
SUNY Geneseo)
DEMAND PARTNERS
Baby Boomers
(International, NYS, Out-
of-State, SUNY Parents)
Antiquers / History Buffs
Runners, marathoners,
triathletes
Outdoor Enthusiasts
(Hikers, Cyclists,
Campers, Hunters,
Fishers, Showmobilers)
Paddlers / Kayakers /
Boaters
Naturalists /
Photographers
SUPPLY (ASSETS)
Historic Main Street
Districts / Buildings
LSP, DEC State Parks,
Forests, Public Lands
Breweries, Cideries,
Wineries
Agriculture
Lakes / River
Lodging
Guides / Outfitters
Restaurants
Retailers
Arts, Culture, History
Events
Trails, Bike Path
Connectivity
Visitor Centers
TRANSACTIONAL PARTNERS
(Function)
Transportation
Marketing / Information
Interpretive Services /
Wayfinding / Storytelling
SUPPORT PARTNERS
(Function)
Workforce Development
Hospitality Training
Educational Institutions
TA / Resources / Biz
Coaching
Networking /
Collaboration
Entrepreneurship
Policies / Infrastructure Broadband Investors / Developers
Regional / Interpretive
PlanningKEY
Gaps
Prioritie
s
Volunteers / Retirees
Cross-cultural awareness
/ inclusive access
Community Orgs
(Main St. Assoc,
Rotary, Kiwanis)

19. OUR WORKING GROUP
FRAMEWORK Lorem Ipsum
US Bicycle Route
System
Genesee Valley
Creating an Outdoor Recreation
Destination
Planning + PoliciesDestination Marketing
Genesee Valley Map
Guide
Destination Brand
Trail Town Program
National Heritage
Area Designation
Entrepreneurship +
innovation
Business Coaching /
Support / Networking
Transportation
Three pillars needed for creating a sustainable destination
Wayfinding /
interpretation
Trail Connectivity /
Improvements
Comprehensive municipal
policies / plans
Working Groups Emerging
Key Gaps and Strategic Priorities

26. For More Information
Melissa Levy
Community Roots, LLC and
WealthWorks Northeast
Regional Hub
802.318.1720
melissa@community-roots.com
www.community-roots.com
www.wealthworks.org