Funding securede for growth of adventure tourism in Appalachia: ARC ARISE grant given to Backroads of Appalachia for corridor expansion
Backroads of Appalachia Secures Major Grant for Motorsports Tourism and Economic Revitalization
Backroads of Appalachia, a leading organization in the field of adventure tourism, has been awarded a significant grant of $3,809,250 from the Appalachian Regional Commission's Appalachian Regional Initiative for Stronger Economies (ARISE) programme. This funding will play a crucial role in the organization's mission to develop motorsports tourism and stimulate economic growth in Eastern Kentucky and Central Appalachia.
The grant positions Backroads of Appalachia to deepen its impact through strategic partnerships with local governments, small businesses, and workforce development agencies. This collaboration will enable the expansion of the adventure tourism corridor, connecting rural towns across Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.
One of the key projects funded by the ARISE grant is the establishment of a National Rally Training Center in Owsley County, Kentucky. This center will be located on a 199-acre site near the Daniel Boone National Forest and will feature a 60,000-square-foot building with shop bays and classrooms, as well as a 1.4-mile off-road rally course for team and manufacturer testing and training.
The National Rally Training Center is part of the broader "Appalachian Overland Triangle" initiative, a tri-state effort involving Kentucky, West Virginia, and Ohio, aimed at stimulating rural economies through motorsports and adventure tourism. This project is expected to enhance workforce skills for rally events, support event organizers nationwide, and boost economic activity by leveraging the region's natural terrain and motorsport potential.
The funding will also be used to develop infrastructure, launch regional workforce training programs, and promote Appalachia as a premier motorsports and outdoor recreation destination. Backroads of Appalachia's strategic efforts aim to attract tourism and create jobs by promoting stage rally and related activities throughout the region.
The renovated space, spanning over 2,000 square feet, will be used for training facilities and administrative purposes at the headquarters of the expanded tourism corridor, which will be located on Sturgeon Creek in Owsley County, Kentucky.
This exciting development marks a significant step forward in the revitalization of Eastern Kentucky and Central Appalachia, and Backroads of Appalachia is looking forward to contributing to the region's economic growth and promoting its unique motorsports and outdoor recreation opportunities.
[1] Backroads of Appalachia Press Release, "Backroads of Appalachia Secures $3.8 Million Grant for Motorsports Tourism and Economic Revitalization," (2022). [2] Appalachian Regional Commission, "ARISE Grant Awards," (2022). [3] American Rally Association, "National Rally Training Center to be Established in Eastern Kentucky," (2022).
- The grant awarded to Backroads of Appalachia by the Appalachian Regional Commission's ARISE program will facilitate partnerships with local governments, small businesses, and workforce development agencies, aiming to stimulate economic growth in Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia through motorsports tourism.
- As part of the ARISE-funded initiative, Backroads of Appalachia plans to establish a National Rally Training Center in Owsley County, Kentucky, which will offer a 1.4-mile off-road rally course for testing and training, and contribute to the Appalachian Overland Triangle project aimed at stimulating rural economies through motorsports and adventure tourism.
- With the ARISE grant, Backroads of Appalachia will invest in infrastructure development, regional workforce training programs, and marketing efforts to position Appalachia as a premier destination for motorsports and outdoor recreation, attracting tourists and creating job opportunities.
- The strategic efforts of Backroads of Appalachia, including the renovation of training facilities and administrative space in Owsley County, Kentucky, align with their mission to contribute to the economic growth of Eastern Kentucky and Central Appalachia, promoting its unique motorsports and outdoor recreation opportunities.
