NORTON, Va. – In an effort to better tell the region’s story, a series of public meetings are being held around Virginia’s coalfield counties this week on plans for the Virginia Coal Heritage Trail.
Organizers are seeking to have the 325-mile driving route, already designated by the Virginia General Assembly, recognized also as a National Scenic Byway.
Speaking for the project is Debby Spencer, president of We Make Things Happen, a Kentucky-based firm that specializes in rural tourism development. She said federal designation of the trail, which highlights the region’s coal mining history, structures and culture, would open it up to federal grants, programs, marketing opportunities and publicity.
“It also will tie into the existing West Virginia Coal Heritage Trail,” said Spencer, who also is involved in a separate effort to develop the Spearhead trails initiative, a regional network of trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding and ATV use.
Spencer said she’s already catalogued the coal-related sites visible along the Virginia Coal Heritage Trail route, and with next week’s meetings she’s hoping to collect stories associated with those sites, for use in developing historic markers and other points of interest.
“If it doesn’t exist anymore, we want to know about it anyway,” she said.
People sharing their stories about the sites, she said, will help bring the project to life.
Ultimately, Spencer said, the goal of the trail is economic development.
“We want to get them off the Interstate,” she said of potential trail visitors, “get them on the back roads and share some of our treasures.”
Monday, Sept. 20
- Lee County: 9 a.m., location TBA; focusing on Keokee, St. Charles and Pennington Gap areas. Details: Tim Long at (276) 346-7766.
- Norton: 1 p.m., Norton Community Center, 201 East Park Ave., Norton, focusing on Norton and Wise County. Details: Shelly Know at (276) 926-6074.
- Big Stone Gap-Appalachia: 6 p.m., Lonesome Pine Office on Youth Conference Room, Big Stone Gap; focusing on Appalachia, Big Stone Gap, Exeter, Imboden, Wise County and Norton. Details: Stan Botts, (276) 523-2319.
Tuesday, Sept. 21
- Tazewell County: 5:30 p.m., Richlands Chamber of Commerce; focusing on Richlands, Cedar Bluff, Claypool Hill, Pounding Mill and Tazewell. Details: Ginger Branton at (276) 963-3385.
Wednesday, Sept. 22
- Gate City: 9 a.m., Scott County Administrative Offices, Gate City; focusing on Scott County. Details: Kathie Noe at (276) 386-6521.
- Nickelsville: 1 p.m., Keith Memorial Park, Nickelsville; focusing on Nickelsville and Scott County. Details: Kathie Noe at (276) 386-6521.
- Russell County: 6 p.m., Dante; focusing on Russell County. Details: Linda Tate and Bobbie Gullett at (276) 889-8041.
Thursday, Sept. 23
- St. Paul: 9 a.m., St. Paul Town Hall meeting room; focusing on Coeburn, Tacoma, Virginia City and St. Paul. Details: Sarah Love McReynolds at (276) 762-9383.
- Dickenson County: 6 p.m., Haysi Town Hall; focusing on Haysi, Clinchco, Fremont, McClure, Nora, Trammel, and other areas of Dickenson County. Details: Rita Surratt at (276) 926-6074.
Additional information
- Future meetings will be scheduled in Pocahontas, Jewell Ridge (October) and Buchanan County (October).
- Call Debby Spencer at (270) 792-5300
- Visit the website trailsrus.com/vacoaltrail
dmccown@bristolnews.com | (276) 791-0701
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