NELSONVILLE BEGINS TO DEFINE ITS WINDING ROAD VISION

On March 14, a Community Visioning Session was held in Nelsonville, located in Athens

County.  The session was organized by Grant Sector Leader Ohio Hill Country Heritage

Area.  Led by Crooked Road Expert Todd Christensen, the approximately 60 attendees

included the President of Hocking College, an owner of global business Rocky Brands

(Mike Brooks), representatives from local arts galleries and other businesses, the

Foundation for Appalachian Ohio and local officials.   Mr. Christensen led the group

through various visioning exercises, and the following themes emerged:

REGIONAL ASSETS

Hocking Hills Region

Lake Hope and Burr Oak

Winding Roads Motorcycles

Fur Peace Ranch

Higher Education

AEP Recreation Lands

Weasel Boys Brewery

The Wilds

Lake Snowden

Strouds Run

The Buckeye Trail

Ace Net

Wildcat Hallow

Wayne National HQ

Old Man’s Cave

Zip Line

Somerset, Ohio

Chester Hill

McConnelsville

Locks

Zane Gray Museum

Y Bridge

Shawnee Buildings

Moonshine

Covered Bridges

Round Barns

Jackie ‘O’s

NELSONVILLE ASSETS

Square

Wayne National Forest

Arts Community

Music Festival

Betty’s Cross

The People are Spark Plugs

Hocking River

Stuart’s Opera House

Hocking College

Scenic Railroad

Final Fridays

Rocky Boots

Ed Map

Brick Kilns

Farmer’s Market

Bike Path

Robbin’s Crossing

Quilt Shop

HOW DO WE CONNECT NELSONVILLE TO THE REGION?

Branding

Public Support

Connect ‘Friday’ Arts Events

Wineries and Breweries Network

Connect Restaurants- 30 Mile Meal Locally Sourced

WHAT ARE THE BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES?

Lodging- Boutique Hotels

Tour Businesses

Classes

Corporate Retreats

Hunting Guides

Boating Outfitters
SHARED VALUES

Culture

Authentic

Pride

Sustainability

Collaboration

Open-Sharing

Next Steps:

NEXT STEPS

Regional Calendar-Winding Road

Links between Organizations and Websites

Regional Commitment

Visiting Local Communities as Tourists- Learn Region

Sector Based Learning Opportunities

Signage: Find ways to connect Nelsonville to the rest of the Winding Road: wayfinding signs, marketing, etc.

Workforce Development: Hocking College, Ohio University and other area schools can network and collaborate on Workforce Development and training to supply Winding Road businesses with trained employees

Business Development: Create strategy and master plan