The St Johns River-to-Sea Loop Alliance, The Tri-County Agritourism Corridor and the Trail Towns Movement. Capital City Bank

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1 The St Johns River-to-Sea Loop Alliance, The Tri-County Agritourism Corridor and the Trail Towns Movement Capital City Bank

2 The Loop is a catalyst for economic development and community building along the corridor St Johns River-to-Sea Loop

3 Alliance Partnerships for Economic Development and Community Building Diagram Concept by Ryan Gravel, SIXPITCH

4 Winter Garden Yesterday and Today Orange County: $33 Million from Trails 1.7 million people use the trails each year, providing $ million in economic impact for the county s economy. Edgewater Hotel Owner: We only exist because of the Trail. We were closed down before now we have 90% occupancy. We have groups that reserve the entire hotel year after year.

5 Born-Again Trail Towns Towns can slip away But towns can be reborn Twin Bridges, MT Population 400 Median household income 25,833 "All the bike riders passing through were like gold going by in a river. I started thinking about how to make Twin Bridges more than a place to get a cup of coffee. "Once a few riders stopped in, found out what we had, word spread like you wouldn't believe. Cyclists are used to being treated like secondclass citizens. To have a community solicit them, to encourage them to stay, and provide the basics of shelter and a shower. We see thousands per year now" Ovando, MT Population years ago no one knew where Ovando was Now >1000 cyclists per year Connellsville, PA

6 Why Cycletourism Matters The kind of visitors (and residents) we want They care about us and our PLACE Adventure Cycling says 82% of touring cyclists have a college education 52 is the average age 58% make over $75,000 per year 8.1% are international tourists Bicycle travelers tend to be geotourists - interested in experiencing the distinctive characteristics of a place, including its culture, landscape, history, and the well-being of its residents. They tend to prefer to spend locally, make meaningful connections with locals, and explore off the beaten path. Bicycling is one of the fastest growing types of outdoor recreation and tourism nationwide. It's estimated that million people bicycle recreationally per year, contributing $198.7 billion per year to the economy. Bicycling contributes Better community health and related savings Less congestion Environmental health Happier people. Cyclists are self-reliant, independent and far-sighted they believe in sustainability, giving more than they take, leaving a place better than they found it

7 The National Trail Town Movement

8 Cycle tourism is big business University of Montana Study Cycling tourism contributes $377 million annually to Montana s economy. Half-million bicycle tourists visit Average cyclist spends $ a day and stays for at least a week mostly in small towns. For rural communities, that kind of expenditure can greatly increase viability and towns are learning how to capitalize on it. Great Allegheny Passage The GAP Trail Town Program, begun in 2007, works to plug rural communities into the economic opportunity created by the trail. It serves as a model to set rural towns on the path to prosperity.

9 It Takes a Community! Rod Darby went to 15 banks before he found a community-minded lender that could see the potential of the Great Allegheny Passage trail to revitalize West Newton, PA Today Darby s Trailside Restaurant serves pub food, boasts a full bar and a takeout beer shop. Twenty-eight people work here, 16 of them full time. People ask me, Does the trail help you out?, and I say, The trail is the reason I m here.

10 Florida s Trail Town Program The Florida Office of Greenways and Trails (part of DEP) has started a Trail Town Program to promote bikefriendly communities Dunedin - first town in Florida to win Trail Town Designation The Alliance works closely with OGT to help towns be designated and benefit from the trail It Takes Partnerships

11 Agritourism & Cycletoursim A Match Made In Heaven Cyclists move slowly and love to explore give them a reason to stay and they will! Food the most requested dining option on the GAP is Local Food Lodging people want to stay where there is Local Color Things to do People want experiences that are unique to the Local Area Place-Based tourism not about a city or a single attraction but about a region Palatka-Hastings-Elkton are key St Johns River-to-Sea Loop complete Palatka to Vermont Heights by fall Adventure Cycling Southern Tier (San Diego to St Augustine) United States Bike Route 90 Connect to Putnam Trail System East Coast Greenway Palatka and Hastings will host longdistance tourers, day-trippers from St Augustine, and people driving with bikes on racks to the 3 new trailheads for short family rides & farm-stand shopping All these will need to be fed, entertained and many will stay overnight The Investors Workshop (end of May) is a step to making the Agritourism Corridor a destination for cyclists as well as cars

12 The Tri-County Agritourism Corridor America's Original Farm-to-Table Corridor; since 1565 The first agritourism corridor in Florida It's happening now DEO Competitive Florida grant to attract investors to Hastings A complete 22-mile section of the trail opening this fall through Hastings April 14 launch of organized tours through Florida Exceptional partner opportunities

13 St Johns River-to-Sea Loop Tri-county Agritourism Corridor

14 Jacques Le Moyne Etching shows Agriculture here in 1565

15 Give People a Good Place to Start and a Reason To Stay

16 275 people enjoyed the Farm Brunch & Family Strawberry Festival

17 AgVenture Farm Tour and Blueberry Festival April 14 launch of guided tours through the Tri- County Agritourism Corridor Winds up with the Inaugural Blues and Brunswick Stew, Blueberry Festival Brunch at Rype and Readi Farm.

18 Questions & Comments Website Facebook St Johns River-to-Sea Loop Alliance SJR2C.org 18