At the intersection of
history, tourism and economic opportunity
We're here to help local entrepreneurs and their employees benefit from a successful outdoor recreation and heritage tourism economy that preserves the authentic rural character of our communities. Learn more >>
Our organization, which began in 2021 as Tennessee’s South Cumberland Tourism Partnership, has done a solid job in increasing tourist visitation to our area over the past three years, but we now recognize the need to also provide support for those things that will result in real, local economic improvement. We’ve been studying how other areas across the country — in situations similar to ours — have had success in growing their own local economies.
As a result of our research, we’ve given careful thought to what things have worked elsewhere, that could be done here — to stimulate more visitor spending, while minimizing undesirable visitor impacts. Please take a few minutes to view our introductory video above, and then browse our listing of Projects to see if there are some you would like to know more about, or volunteer to help us take from the “drawing board” to reality!
Skilled Careers, Professional Learning & Business Support (SCP-LABS)
New and existing businesses in our area need people with the essential skills required to keep them going, and growing. At the same time, every individual in our region’s workforce needs and deserves the opportunity to improve their career satisfaction and earning potential. And our young adults need to know they can have a rewarding career right here, without ever leaving home. SCP believes that establishing an affordable career learning and business support center — focused on the specific opportunities and needs of our local economy — can provide the critical knowledge and skills to prepare both our citizens and businesses for future success.
"Trail Town" Designations
Certification of nine local communities as “Trail Towns” will help stimulate reinvestment and growth in our local economies. This Project team will work with our town leaders to inventory existing pathways, utilizing bike/walk audit techniques to identify opportunities for each town to qualify for its own “Trail Town” certification, considering trails of all types (outdoor recreation: hiking, biking, equestrian, kayaking/canoeing and arts; and culture: history, artisan, wine/breweries, music, public art, farms, etc.) to connect outdoor recreation interests with main streets, downtowns, businesses, merchants and services in each community.
Design Guide
A Design Guide will provide suggestions to area businesses, new or existing, for making their facilities more attractive and appealing to visitors — a type of “idea book” with many good tips for their use. The South Cumberland version of this book will include many examples with local photos, as well as suggestions and ideas local property and business owners can put to immediate use.
Developing & Promoting Local Products
This Project explores ways to promote production and sale of “Made in the Mountains of Adventure” products created by local businesses, including farms. The team will investigate ways to better connect visitors and online customers to our local “maker” community — including, but not limited to, art, furniture, textiles, produce and other food products, printed products, aroma products, and so on.
New Natural Science Visitor Center
The Fiery Gizzard State Park Visitor Center, between Monteagle and Tracy City, is nearly 50 years old, and is actually several miles from the park it represents. This Project is looking at the possibility of creating a new, state-of-the-art Natural Science Visitor Center at Grundy Forest — a destination-grade attraction for visitors, and an engaging place of learning for students and adults alike.
Mountain Biking Facility
It has been well-documented that citizens of South Cumberland region are in need of new, enjoyable, healthy options for exercise. Other areas of the Southeast have found great success in improving fitness by creating Trail Mountain Bike (“TMB”) facilities, which can be enjoyed both by local citizens, as well as by visitors.
Elk River & Crow Creek Paddling
Crow Creek flows from Buggytop Cave in the new Head of the Crow State Park (“HCSP”), south of Sewanee. The Elk River begins in Burroughs Cove, northeast of Pelham. These two beautiful rivers could be ideal for paddling (kayak or canoe) adventures, including the establishment of Outfitting services.
Elk Herd Re-Introduction
Elk used to roam and graze the South Cumberland in large numbers. (The Elk River’s name reflects this history!) This project investigates whether suitable land could be provided to support an Elk herd, grazing meadows and viewing areas, while keeping the Elk away from crops and farms.
Our Projects
Would you like to stay up to date on our progress?
Provide your contact information on the form below, and we’ll keep you posted. And if you'd like to help us out with one or more of these projects, check the ones you're interested in, and we'll follow up with you soon. Thanks for your interest!