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Revitalizing the Haw River: A Path to Sustainable Economic Growth through Tourism

The Haw River, once the heart of Alamance County's textile industry, faced severe pollution challenges. In the 1980s, the decline of textile manufacturing left opportunities for revitalization. Local governments signed a Memorandum of Understanding to promote conservation and recreational goals. Initiatives like the Haw River Trail and Paddle Trail have emerged to enhance community engagement and tourism. By creating safe access and preserving scenic areas, we're transforming the Haw River into a sustainable economic engine, attracting visitors and boosting local economies.

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Revitalizing the Haw River: A Path to Sustainable Economic Growth through Tourism

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  1. The Haw River Trail A Study in Sustainable Tourism

  2. The Haw RiverThe Economic Lifeline of Alamance County • 1850-1980s – The Haw River was a Major Hub of the United States Textile Industry. • Mid 20th Century - 8 Large Textile Mills on the Haw River in Alamance County Alone. Cone Mills- once the world leader in corduroy production

  3. The Legacy of Progress • The Bleaching and Dyeing Required in the Textile Manufacturing Process Created an Extraordinary Amount of Water Pollution; • Haw River Became Synonymous with Pollution. • Local Memories of the River: • River was a Different Color Each Day of the Week • Mountains of Foam 10 Feet Tall

  4. After the Mill Is Gone • 1980-2000s- The Textile Industry Headed for Greener Pastures. • Left Behind Opportunity in Riparian Areas • The Challenge: How to Turn a “Run of the Mill” River into an Economic Engine. Textile Pollution on the Yangtze River

  5. Confluence of Events • 2006 Memorandum of Understanding • Every Local Government on the Haw River • Agreement to Further Conservation and Recreational Goals • Haw River Designated as Official Route of the Mountain-to-Sea Trail • Coordinator Hired by Alamance County Partners • Funded by Z. Smith Reynolds Grant to Elon University • Match provided by Alamance County, City of Burlington, City of Graham

  6. Haw River Trail Partnership“Conservation Through Recreation” • Provide Safe, Legal Access to the Haw Through Haw River Trail/Mountains to Sea Trail and the Haw River Paddle Trail. • Improve Community Attitudes Towards the River Through Increased Exposure. • Preserve a Scenic Corridor for the Trail Through Conservation of a 500 Foot Buffer. • Create a Sustainable, Non-Depleting Economic Engine that brings dollars from outside Alamance County into the local economy.

  7. SeizingOpportunity • Utilized Our History • Developed Logo and Brochures that Draw on the Haw’s Historical Richness • Used “Fort and Wall” Construction • Use Grant Funds to Create “Forts” • Use Momentum to Connect the “Wall” Through Donations • Take Advantage of our Proximity to Triangle, Triad

  8. Initial Progress 2006-2009Paddle Trail Alamance County Alone • Grown from 4 “Formal” Paddle Accesses to 8 • 3 More in Construction • Added 18 miles and 4 Dam Portages to Paddle Trail • Working to Become the First State-Designated Paddle Trail in North Carolina.

  9. Initial Progress 2006-2009Land Trail Alamance County Only: • Added 4 Miles of Land Trail • Sustainable Pace of 2 Miles per Year. • 3 New Parks of 15 Acres or More

  10. Initial Progress 2006-2009Conservation Efforts • River-wide: • 1,250 Acres Conserved • 22,500 Linear ft. of River Frontage • Alamance County • 222 Acres Conserved • 12,250 Linear ft. of River Frontage

  11. Initial Progress 2006-2009Economic Benefits • 7 New “River Focused” Small Businesses Have Opened Since 2006 • $2 million in Grant FundsExpended in Alamance County • $30,000 in Property Donationsto Local Governments Yee-Haw! River Paddle brings 125-175 people to paddle on the Haw River each April.

  12. Things We Should Have Done Right the First Time • Delineate Primary Goals/Secondary Goals • What are You Trying to Accomplish? • Local Recreation, Tourism, Conservation, Education? • Find Your Hook • What Do You Have That the Next County Doesn’t? • Measure Your Public Support • Under the Radar vs. Consensus Building

  13. More Things We Should Have Done Right the First Time • Planning; • Plan Promotion; • Fundraising; • Acquisition; • Design; • Construction; • Maintenance; • Public Promotion. • Align Your Goals with State/Federal Goals • Hire a “Trail Guy.” • Assign Responsibilities for Each of the 8 Steps of Trail Building:

  14. Additional Information • Visit www.thehaw.org • Brian Baker 336/229-2229 Brian.baker@alamance-nc.com

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