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Joe P. Asher

Staff Writer

During a meeting of The Tri-City Trail Town Committee on Wednesday, Jeremy Williams was appointed to and accepted the position of committee chairman.

Williams advised the committee about the goals he hoped the committee would achieve.

“One of the reasons that we’ve called this meeting is to try to get information,” said Williams. “We need people to give us the ‘out of the box’ answers.”

Williams explained one example of “outside the box” thinking involves different types of tourism opportunities.

“There was a gentleman who came in the office yesterday. He pulled up on a motorcycle and discussed motorcycles with me,” said Williams. “I’m thinking, yep, I’m in the box. I’m not thinking motorcycles. I’m thinking hiking, bicycles, horses and ATVs. Motorcycles are something different.”

Williams explained the ride from Whitesburg to Harlan and the ride from Appalachia to Cumberland are regarded as two of the best in Kentucky.

“We’re sitting right in the middle of this. We’ve got motorcycles coming through,” said Williams. “They are putting money in the economy.”

Williams explained he sees the Tri-Cities as “more than a Trail Town.”

“We have things here. We’ve got Portal 31. We’ve got the coal mining museum. We’ve got the zipline over in Evarts. We’ve got people coming in,” said Williams.

Committee member Lonnie Riley inquired, “What is the purpose of our meeting today? Are we going to strive for a Trail Town designation?”

“Yes” responded Williams.

Williams pointed out that the area has other qualities that would make it a superior Trail Town destination.

“People want a laid back atmosphere,” said Williams.

“I think one of the keys to this whole thing is in one of these towns you have to have some sort of trail head,” said Riley. “That’s what attracts people for an extended stay.”

Riley explained there have been efforts to establish a trail head in the vicinity, but this has not happened yet.

“We’ve been four years trying to get a trail. That’s the reason we don’t have a trail head because we don’t have access,” said Riley. “If we get this designation, can we have a voice in making sure that stuff gets done?”

“I think that’s something that takes place,” said Williams.

The committee appointed Riley as head of a subcommittee for horse trails.

In other committee activity, the committee decided to look into different types of activities including motorcycling and kayaking.

Reach Joe P. Asher at 606-573-4510 or jasher@heartlandpublications.com