Highland Business And Tourism Officials Release Smart Growth Strategy Plan

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates once said, “The most brilliant strategy won’t lead to success unless it’s executed effectively.”

Well, it appears that Highland County business and tourism officials have taken Gates’ statement to heart with the recent release of the Highland Community Development Initiative Strategic Plan, or the HCDI.

The 26-page plan, which has been in the making for years, is designed to support existing businesses, promote new investment and ignite entrepreneurship that enhances Highland County’s economic vitality.

The plan is set to be presented to the Highland County Board of Supervisors next month. It contains six goals that range from promoting the completion of the revitalized Highland Inn to creating an engaging visitors’ experience.

The HCDI was developed by representatives of the Highland Economic Development Authority, the Highland Tourism Council, the Highland Chamber of Commerce and the Highland Center.

An economic driver cited in the HCDI is The Highland Inn, which was built in 1904, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a Virginia Historic Landmark.

The historic structure’s exterior renovation, funded by grants and donations, has been completed by the Blue Grass Resource Center or BGRC, a non-profit organization that owns the hotel. The BGRC estimates that it will take $5.2 million to reopen the Highland Inn. The organization currently has $4 million in grant commitments and donations, which will cover hard construction costs. The bid process could begin later this summer once grant agreements are in place.

The strategy plan notes that the Virginia Tech’s Center for Economic and Community Development predicts the Highland Inn could add $2.6 million to Highland’s economy in its first year of operation.

In addition, the HCDI eyes the possibility of the Highland Inn and the Highland Center forming a partnership. The two entities “will become a hub for mid-week, small to mid-sized conferences and events, which will draw visitors to town during a time of the week when visitors are scarce,” the strategic plan states.

Highland EDA board member Jamie Collins says the development of the strategic plan began before she joined the EDA in 2020. The process was funded by a state grant obtained by the EDA through the Department of Housing and Community Development.

Representatives from the four agencies involved in the HCDI developed proposed strategies, then turned toward the tactics to be used and identifying which groups would oversee and strive to reach each goal. The plan also sets a targeted time frame to complete the goals selected, Collins says.

“In reality, the document is a living document and a lot of the things are in process already,” Collins explains. “And it will continue to be refined as time goes on.”

Collins admits that getting the Highland Inn open for business is an important aspect of the strategic plan. But other important goals cited include ways to address the region’s housing shortage, the need to expand broad ban service and improve cell phone coverage, she says.

Chris Swecker, who heads the Highland County Chamber of Commerce and the Highland Tourism Council, worked on the strategic plan and is pleased with final product.

“We’re really excited about this plan. I definitely believe we’ll be able to achieve the goals. Each of our groups have put a lot of time into each of our strategies. It’s great we’re working in a collaborative manner to get it all to happen. It’s a fairly ambitious 3-year-plan but it’s going to keep us focused. It’s going  to help us track what we’ve been doing and what we haven’t been doing, and, really, to help move  Highland County into a positive direction,” Swecker explains

Swecker says there is a need to attract young families to the county and he hopes the strategic plan will help to do just that.

“A big goal, again, is we’re trying to attract young families so we can continue to have the quality of life in Highland County that most people appreciate,” Swecker continues. “We want to continue to grow in a smart authentic way by attracting young families so we can learn from our elderly population to continue to do the things they’ve done for so many years to make it a great place to live, work and play.”