NADO Annual Training Conference 2016 “Bike/Ped Initiatives and Economic Development”

Ray Collins, ChairmanGM&O Rails to Trails Recreational District of North Mississippi.

GM&O Rails- to-Trails Recreational District of North Mississippi • Formed by resolution in September 2006, as allowed by the Mississippi Code of

1972, as amended, SEC. 55-25.

Participating Entities • Union County, Pontotoc County, Chickasaw County, City of New Albany, Town of

Ecru, City of Pontotoc ,Town of New Houlka, Town of Algoma, and the City of Houston

• Three Rivers PDD ---Fiscal and Administrative Agent

Tanglefoot Trail®• The 44.5 mile rail-banked railroad corridor is a multipurpose public recreational

trail which could be reactivated, if needed, for future economic development.

CHRONOLOGY OF MAJOR TANGLEFOOT TRAIL EVENTS

2003 • Railroad provides "Notice of Abandonment" of rail corridor between New Albany &

Houston Mississippi.

2004• Railbanking request submitted to prevent total abandonment and request issuance of a

Public Use Condition and Certificate of Notice of Interim Trail Use. 2006

• Grass Roots group “Rail Corridor Alliance” is formed to promote preservation of the abandoned rail corridor.

• GM&O Rail-to-Trails Recreational District of North Mississippi formed.• Three Rivers Planning & Development District named fiscal & administrative agent.• Transportation Enhancement Grant submitted for the Tanglefoot Trail.

2008• 45 mile abandoned rail corridor from New Albany, MS to Houston, MS is purchased by

the GM&O District Rails to Trails District.

CHRONOLOGY OF MAJOR TANGLEFOOT TRAIL EVENTS2009

• Engineering contracts signed for development of plans and specifications for construction of Tanglefoot Trail.

2011• Trail Construction contract signed.

2012• Trail Whistle Stop Comfort Stations construction contract signed.

2013-14• Completion of Trail and Whistle Stop Facilities. Trail opens September 2013.

2015-16• Awarded designation of National Recreational Trail (NRT) by the U.S. Department of Interior

and National Park Service.

*Planning & addition of other facilities and amenities continue

The Beginning

David Johnston Collection

Abandoned Rail Corridor

Purchase / Construction Funding

• Grant/Loans/Donations

• $9.6 M Federal Transportation Enhancement Funds (MDOT/FHWA)

• $1.0 M CAPLOAN (ST of Mississippi) – Local Match

• $350,000 MDOT State Appropriation

• $110,000 Recreational Trail Program for Whistle Stops (MDWFP)

• $177,880 Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) for Whistle Stops

• $ 40,000 E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation Grant

• $ 29,600 Individual and Business Donations for Whistle Stops

• $100,000 Rec. Trail Program for Facilities & Equipment (MDWFP)

• $228,118 Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) Houston Facility/New Albany Access Road

• $11,635,598

Early Construction

Construction

Construction Complete, now what?

Pontotoc “HUB” – Pontotoc, MS

Warm up Station- Ingomar, MS

Whistle Stop – Algoma, MS

New Albany Land Donation – 6.2 miles

New Albany Plaza / Bankhead Street

Member Government Revenue

• Chickasaw County $ 19,406.41• Pontotoc County $ 30,000.00• Union County $ 36,700.00• City of Pontotoc $ 11,867.00• City of New Albany $ 16,142.70• City of Houston $ 13,083.55• Town of Ecru $ 1,492.54• Town of New Houlka $ 1,300.00• Town of Algoma $ 425.00

$ 130,417.20

• Each Fiscal Year – only ¼ mill equivalent allowed under State Law

Sponsorships $ 377,500.00 ( total over 5 year commitment )

• Premium Sponsors (Title, Platinum, Gold)• Pavilions• Warm-Up Stations• Bridges• Rest Stops• Rain Stops• Information Stations• 5K/10K Start & Finish Locations• Mile Markers

Economic & Tourism ObjectivesEconomic Objectives:

• Promote the development of new businesses• Use the Trail as part of strategic plans to attract businesses and residents• Increase employment rates and expand tax bases• Enhance the quality of life• Increase value of property along the Trail

Tourism Objectives:

• Attract Visitors• Promote Trail through local chambers’, visitors’ bureaus, state tourism office, trail

publications, national trail web sites, bicycle clubs.• Partner with other trails in the region• Promote the region in the hills of Mississippi. New Albany, MS has shown 25.3% measured growth since 2012, which includes the

opening of the Tanglefoot Trail. (Figures published by the Mississippi Development Authority Tourism Department and State Tourism Tax

Receipts)

Natchez Trace Directional Signage

Sample of Organized Events on Trail

•Marathon and half Marathon, Houston – April 3•Race for the Unborn, New Albany – April 9•Tour de Tanglefoot, ICC Foundation, Pontotoc – April 30•Bodock Festival Tour de Bodock, Pontotoc – Sept.•Pedaling for Hope, Regional Rehab Center, New Albany – October 15•Warrior 5K, Pontotoc Middle School – October •Tanglefoot Trot, Catch Kids, Inc. 5K Run, Pontotoc – November•Tanglefoot Turkey Trot, New Albany – Thanksgiving Day

Itawamba Community College Ride for Scholarships

Regional Rehab, Pedaling for Hope

Tourism Potential

Day cyclists from Memphis,TN ; Birmingham, AL and other Regional Markets…….

Destination for Competitive Bicyclists across the country and around the world

We are seeing that happen…

Countries:England, Scotland, Germany, Russia, Sweden, Canada

States:VA, NC, SC, OR, WA, CA, WI, CO, TX, MI, OH, MO, TNKY, IL, AL, MN, IN, HI…

Some come to area for festivals, Elvis birthplace, other attractions and stay longer to ride Trail.

Visitor Logs

Visitors from Ontario, Canada

Ian and Judith Bremner from Newcastle upon Tyne, England with Pontotoc mayor Jeff Stafford

New Businesses (Direct Trail Impact)

AC’s Coffee, New Albany Sweet Frog Yogurt Shop, New Albany Hill & Trail Bicycle Co., Pontotoc The Trail Bike Shop, Pontotoc Happy Trail Cottage, Pontotoc Chillie Wheelies, Ecru Two Toots Whistle Stop (Ice Cream), New Houlka Trail Side Deli, New Houlka Blanton Ball Guest House, Houston One Night Stand Guest Cottage, New Albany Ciao Chow, New Albany

AC’s Coffee Shop, New Albany

Hill and Trail Bicycle Company, Pontotoc

Algoma Country Store

Algoma Country Store Pavilion

Two Toots Ice Cream Shop, Houlka

Bridges-Hall Manor Bed & Breakfast, Houston

The End