Western Small Towns Cluster
Economic need
Four of North Carolina's westernmost towns make up the Western Small Towns Cluster: the Village of Chimney Rock, Hayesville, Bryson City and Mars Hill. All have poverty levels in the range of 16 to 18 percent and median per capita income of 56 to 73 percent of the state median. Three of the towns lie in tier one counties.
Each town has had its particular challenges. The Village of Chimney Rock (population 175) in Rutherford County was nearly destroyed by a flood in 1998 and suffered flooding again, though to a lesser degree, in 2004. Hayesville (population 300) lies in Clay County, whose manufacturing base has declined by 30 percent in the past eight years. In Swain County, Bryson City (population 1,400) is restricted in its economic options. Eighty-six percent of the county's land is controlled either by the Eastern Band of the Cherokee or the federal government. Mars Hill (population 1,760) lies in tier 3 Madison County. Mars Hill College employs 32 percent of the local workforce; 40 percent commute to Buncombe County. In 2002, the town lost 189 jobs when the Micro Switch plant closed.
History
Like many other mountain towns, these four are focusing development efforts on cultural and natural heritage tourism. Each builds on its own features.
Mars Hill already boasts the Rural Life Museum, the Southern Appalachian Repertory Theater and the Bascom Lamar Lunsford Mountain Music and Dance Festival. Now it is working with Mars Hill College to increase tourism through conferences and an elder hostel program.
The Village of Chimney Rock serves as the entrance to the privately owned Chimney Rock Park, which attracts more than 300,000 visitors a year. It has positioned itself to capitalize on that traffic with a milelong park along the Rocky Broad River, numerous crafts stores, and a variety of outdoor restaurants.
Hayesville boasts Clay County Historical Museum, located in the town's old brick jail, and the Licklog Players, a regional theatrical group. The Mountain Valley Farmers Market and the John C. Campbell Folk School in nearby Brasstown help pull in more tourists. Retirement homes have constituted most recent growth, but a renewed focus is being placed on economic diversification and small business development.
Excursions on the Great Smokey Mountain Railroad draw tourists to Bryson City. The railroad recently relocated its corporate officers there, leading to plans for a railroad roundhouse, museum, and shops with railroad memorabilia. Other local efforts are turned toward creating a county historical museum, river walks, and hiking and biking business.
Vision/Goals/Expectations
Working together in STEP, the four towns seek to further their goals through collaboration, focused training, and increased planning. Cooperative marketing and development of additional cultural and ecotourism outlets may help all strengthen their place-based economies.
Contact
Becky Anderson, President
HandMade in America
P.O. Box 2089
Asheville, NC 28802
Phone: 828-252- 0121
E-mail: info@handmadeinamerica.org
