Northumberland County will receive the bulk of the $20,000 in DRIVE Outdoor Tourism Development Program recently awarded by the state. Northumberland County projects will receive $15,000 of the $20,000 award. The balance will go to Richmond County.
Northumberland County’s projects are long-lasting, going toward parking improvement and expansion. The Richmond County project, Menokin’s Power of Place Conservation Festival will add to the current kayak experiences offered by the nonprofit.
Menokin’s Power of Place Conservation Festival
Celebrate conservation advocacy through kayaking, hiking, and an ecological educational festival, with music, films, food and fun for the whole family. The nine-mile kayak race down Cat Point Creek starts at 8:00 am.
Northern Neck Tourism Commission press release
Northern Neck Tourism Commission Receives $20,000 in DRIVE Outdoor Tourism Development Program
Contact: Northern Neck Tourism Commission, Lisa Hull, (804) 333-1919 lhull@nnpdc17.state.va.us
WARSAW, VA (May 7, 2024) – Today, the Northern Neck Tourism Commission received $20,000 through Virginia Tourism Corporation’s (VTC) DRIVE Outdoor program, a tourism development grant program targeting outdoor product development and entrepreneurial expansion throughout the Commonwealth.
To meet the consumer demand for outdoor travel, the Northern Neck Tourism Commission (NNTC) will use awarded funds for outdoor development projects that will have an immediate impact on the area’s outdoor recreation offerings.
Developed through a facilitated workshop in the Fall of 2024, the NNTC’s plan for the funding is $10,000 for infrastructure improvements to the parking area at a new park in Callao, a gateway community to Northumberland County. With a brewery, several eateries, and sidewalk improvements, Callao is the approach for visitors from Richmond and Washington DC, both target markets for the Northern Neck. Also, $5000 will be used towards purchasing gravel to improve and expand parking area at Lodge Landing, a public access site in Northumberland County near Callao. Lastly, the project will assist with a new kayak event at Menokin in July 2024, co-branded with the NNK250 “The Power of Place”. The remaining $5000 will be spent on floating docks and a temporary stage for the event.
DRIVE Outdoor builds on VTC’s DRIVE 2.0 Statewide Strategic Plan to enhance outdoor recreational development, assets, and entrepreneurial opportunities within Virginia. Following participation in the program, the NNTC received the foundation for a competitive outdoor product development plan, including specific action steps, success factors, timelines, priorities, and identified partners to help with project success.
“Improving public access sites, creating outdoor gathering spaces in business districts, and promoting waterfront events are known strategies that strengthen the visitor experience in the Northern Neck,” said Jerry W. Davis, AICP, Executive Director of the Northern Neck Planning District Commission which oversees the Northern Neck Tourism Commission and the Northern Neck National Heritage Area.
“Visitors come to Virginia for its wealth of outdoor recreation experiences that millions of people every year,’ said Rita McClenny, President and CEO of Virginia Tourism Corporation. “The DRIVE Outdoor program will help these communities develop new projects that will attract new and returning visitors wanting an authentic outdoor recreation experience.”
The creeks and rivers surrounding the Northern Neck have been a draw for tourists for generations. Outdoor recreation has proven to be a recession-proof industry and a driving force in the American economy. In 2022, outdoor recreation contributed $11.3 billion to the Commonwealth’s economy and supported 125,000 jobs and $5.6 billion in wages and salaries in Virginia according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
For more information or to explore more outdoor offerings in the Northern Neck, visit northernneck.org To learn more about VTC’s DRIVE Tourism program, please visit vatc.org/.
About Northern Neck Tourism Commission
The Northern Neck Tourism Commission is the coordinating entity for the 5-county Northern Neck National Heritage, including the Counties of King George, Lancaster, Northumberland, Richmond, and Westmoreland. NNTC relies on the partnership with historic sites, wineries, lodgings, restaurants, breweries, and retailers in promoting the Northern Neck as a National Heritage Area.
About Virginia Tourism Corporation
Virginia is for Lovers is one of the most iconic and recognizable travel brands in the world. Using that powerful brand equity, Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) is charged with promoting the Commonwealth as a premier travel destination by showcasing all there is to love in a Virginia vacation. The dollars spent by travelers fuel the economy, provide jobs for Virginians, and improve communities across the state. Simply put, tourism helps make Virginia a great place to live, work, and vacation. Learn more at virginia.org.