Calhoun County Business - Summer 2013

InsIde | BIKING, FISHING, GOLFING, OFF-ROADING AND MORE InsIde InsIde || BIKING, BIKING, FISHING, FISHING, GOLFING, GOLFING, OFF-ROADING OFF-ROADING AND AND MORE MORE

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The The green green ouTdoors ouTdoors The The promising economics Thepromising promising economics economics of outdoor recreation ofoutdoor outdoor recreation recreation of

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CliMbing the Mountain 6

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A look inside Calhoun County’s recreation economy.

CloCking out 47 Ecotourism could be good for us in more ways than money.

Contributors | Design | Angela Reid Williams | Photography | Trent Penny, Stephen Gross, Bill Wilson, Courtney Davies, Shannon Tucker and Misty Pointer | Editors | Bob Davis, Ben Cunningham and Lisa Davis | Writers | Brian Anderson, Eddie Burkhalter, Laura Camper, Laura Gaddy, Patrick McCreless, Tim Lockette, Paige Rentz, Leah Cayson, Sara Milledge and Rachael Brown

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Meanwhile, workers make things those early industrialists couldn’t have imagined, from armored personnel carriers to city transit buses. The next issue of Business Calhoun County will explore these and other things made right here.

the green outdoors 26

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Can the Coldwater Mountain bike trail project stimulate the local economy?

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WelCoMe | BoB davis

In thE EaRly 1990s, a u.S. Army specialist received his transfer orders. He would be leaving Germany for his next assignment at fort McClellan in Anniston, Ala., a state he’d never spent any time in.

Oh, shoot is the cleaned-up version of his reaction.

Yet, on the drive down to McClellan from his native Louisville, Ky., the beauty of northeast Alabama’s rolling Appalachian foothills struck the young soldier. By the time he reached Anniston, the GI told his Bob travelling companion he thought he’d Davis found his home.

Editor A few years later and out of the Army, the now ex-soldier was working at an Anniston bicycle shop on quintard Avenue, Bicycles & outfitters. He began to sense that this community could be home to others who shared his passion for cycling and other outdoor activities.

A couple of detours through Texas and middle Tennessee confirmed his thoughts on this region. “As a cyclist,” he said, “the terrain — both on- and off-road — is what kept me around.”

By 2005, he was back in Anniston and ready to open his own bike shop. As he tells it, Patrick Wigley, owner of Wig’s Wheels in downtown Anniston, was ready to take “a gamble.”

All the pieces were there — the then-undeveloped Coldwater Mountain bike trails, the Chief Ladiga Trail, the trails in the Talladega National forest, the tallest point in Alabama — Mount Cheaha — and other easy-to-reach venues with the sort of terrain cyclists crave. Those born here who haven’t touched a bicycle pedal since they were, say, 12 could easily take these natural assets “for granted,” Wigley says.

Today, Wigley’s fortune-telling is coming true. The region, as well as his business, is seeing new faces — both local residents itching to try their hands at cycling and experienced riders from elsewhere who are looking for challenging trails.

Either way, our natural assets have the power to ring cash registers in Calhoun County. Money related to cycling — as well as hiking, camping, fishing, golfing, all-terrain vehicle riding, paddling, running and hunting — is flowing into Calhoun County and the surrounding region. The forecast, from Wigley and others, is that this is only the beginning of a prosperous ecotourism industry.

This issue of Business Calhoun County is dedicated to enterprises that are making green off our green spaces. We hope you learn a few things about our neighbors and the abundant natural resources in our home.

4

Business Calhoun County | SUMMER 2013

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Climbing the

mountain

Can the Coldwater mountain bike trail projeCt stimulate the loCal eConomy?

by PatriCk McCreless â?˜ pmccreless@annistonstar.com

ColdWater Mountain by bill Wilson

6

Business Calhoun County | SUMMER 2013

Business Calhoun County | SUMMER 2013

7

J

ust a few miles away from downtown Anniston on Alabama Highway 202 is a turnoff that could easily be missed if a driver’s not looking for it. The turn leads to a road that slowly winds its way up Coldwater Mountain to an access point to 20 miles’ worth of biking trails.

The site is relatively small now compared to other mountain biking venues around the country, but it is growing, as are many locals’ hopes that it will stimulate the area economy.

Coldwater Mountain overlooks Anniston, a city that in recent years has witnessed its population shrink along with its industrial jobs. To find new sources of revenue and job creation, the city and community members have encouraged ecotourism growth with a focus on cyclists, such as supporting the annual Sunny King Criterium professional bicycle races in downtown Anniston.

The Coldwater Mountain forever Wild Mountain Bike Trail Project is expected by some to be the next big thing for the area. In coming years, more trails of varying difficulty will be built to serve as a better draw for mountain biking enthusiasts and their wallets. Some local officials and community members hope those bikers and their families will stimulate the local economy, from small businesses to the housing market.

It is possible. other communities across the country have had success doing what Anniston is attempting. But it will not be easy. officials and biking industry experts say the process will take time, continued development, strong marketing and support from area businesses and the local community. Such efforts are already under way.

323223 BAMA BOGGIN MUD PARK

the plan: 70 miles of cutting-edge trails Mike Poe, president of the Northeast Alabama Bicycling Association, said if a city wants mountain bikers to visit and spend money on food, hotels and other necessities, first and foremost it needs a worthwhile attraction. That is what he and others associated with the Coldwater project want to have at the site. The plan is to eventually construct 60 miles’ worth of biking trails on Coldwater Mountain, enough to keep even the most experienced mountain biker challenged and entertained for days.

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Business Calhoun County | SUMMER 2013

Chief ladiga trail by Courtney davies

Business Calhoun County | SUMMER 2013

9

“Certainly, having the trail system “Certainly, having the trail systemisis a big component of it,” Poe said ofofColda big component of it,” Poe said Coldwater being successful.

“Especially water being successful. “Especiallywhen when you’ve built out 7070 miles ofof cutting-edge you’ve built out miles cutting-edge trails that aren’t like anywhere else.” trails that aren’t like anywhere else.”

The Coldwater project is in its The Coldwater project is in itssecond second year ofof development, with anan additional year development, with additional 5 miles ofof trails expected toto bebe complet5 miles trails expected completeded byby the end ofof the summer, Poe the end the summer, Poesaid. said.

The majority ofof the project’s funding The majority the project’s fundinghas has come from state grants obtained bybythe come from state grants obtained the International Mountain Bicycling International Mountain BicyclingAssoAssociation, anan organization that creates ciation, organization that createsand and supports mountain biking development supports mountain biking development across the country. across the country.

“[Coldwater “[ColdwaterMountain] Mountain] will willdefinitely definitelybe beaa destination destinationplace place for formountain mountainbikers bikers across acrossthe theu.s.” u.s.” kennygriffin, griffin, —— kenny Chain busterraCing raCing Chain buster

Richard Edwards, trails solutionmanmanRichard Edwards, trails solution ager IMBA, said the idea build ager forfor IMBA, said the idea isis totobuild many trails different difficulty levels, many trails ofof different difficulty levels, so biking enthusiasts can bring their so biking enthusiasts can bring their less-experienced family membersand and less-experienced family members friends the area, which turn will friends toto the area, which inin turn will mean more spending. mean more spending.

“If you build a lot beginner and “If you build a lot ofof beginner and intermediate trails ... you’ll have intermediate trails ... you’ll have a alotlot more people riding who weren’t before,” more people riding who weren’t before,” Edwards said.

Edwards said.

But eventually, what you wanttotododoisis But eventually, what you want convince these biking enthusiasts not convince these biking enthusiasts totonot just visit, but to live in the area, Edwards just visit, but to live in the area, Edwards said. said.

“You don’t want a pure tourism “You don’t want toto bebe a pure tourism town ... there are no long-term benefits town ... there are no long-term benefits like benefits,” Edwards said.

“You like taxtax benefits,” Edwards said.

“You want to introduce people who don’t want to introduce people who don’t know about the community to the comknow about the community to the community’s low property values.” munity’s low property values.”

Edwards said mountain bikers tend Edwards said mountain bikers tend to have above-average incomes, so havto have above-average incomes, so having more of them move to the area and ing more of them move to the area and at least buy second vacation homes will at least buy second vacation homes will increase property values and, in turn, increase property values and, in turn, boost local quality of life. boost“As local quality of life. the quality of life increases ... it “As the quality of life increases ... it encourages people to open businesses,” encourages people to open businesses,” Edwards said.

Edwards said.

did you did you know? know?

Americans spend •• Americans spend more more on on bicycling bicycling gear and trips ($81 billion) gear and trips ($81 billion) than than they they do do on airplane tickets and fees ($51 on airplane tickets and fees ($51 billion). billion).

• More American jobs depend on trail • More American jobs depend on trail sports (768,000) than there are lawyers sports (768,000) than there are lawyers (728,200) in the U.S. (728,200) in the U.S. OUtdOOr IndUStry ASSOcIAtIOn, 2012 OUtdOOr IndUStry ASSOcIAtIOn, 2012

the impaCt: millions the impaCt: millions in tourism dollars in tourism dollars

While tourism dollars alone are not Whilethey tourism dollars not ideal, would still bealone quiteare helpful. ideal, they would still be quite helpful.

10 Business Calhoun County | SUMMER 2013 10 Business Calhoun County | SUMMER 2013

the sunny king CriteriuM by bill Wilson the sunny king CriteriuM by bill Wilson Business Calhoun County | SUMMER 2013 Business Calhoun County | SUMMER 2013

11 11

Cheaha Challenge by trent Penny.

323218 ETOWAH COUNTY TOURISM BOARD

0 $ % A study released last year by Jacksonville State university and the Calhoun County Economic Development Council conservatively predicts that cyclists will spend $1.2 million a year on their Coldwater trips; at most, they could spend $3.8 million annually. The numbers are based on visitors to the mountain when it had fewer than 20 miles of trails, and not on the 60 miles of trails developers hope to build. “I always compare mountain bikingtype destinations to skiing or golfing,� Poe said. “The visitors to those attractions have disposable income and they’re going to eat out and stay in bicycle-friendly hotels.�

Some local businesses are already benefiting from ecotourism and expect the Coldwater biking trails to continue that trend.

12

Business Calhoun County | SUMMER 2013

“i always compare mountain biking-type destinations to skiing or golfing.� — Mike Poe, northeast alabaMa biCyCling assoCiation

Scott Brightwell, who with his wife, Megan, co-owns the Parker House Bed and Breakfast in Anniston’s historic Tyler Hill district on East Sixth Street, said ecotourism is the lifeblood of his business, specifically the Chief Ladiga Trail, a paved recreational trail that extends more than 32 miles from the Georgia state line to Weaver. An additional 63 miles of trail extends into Georgia. “Chief Ladiga Trail represents at least half of our business,� Brightwell said.

Brightwell said participants in the Sunny King Criterium boost business for him each year too. “It’s not just the riders, but it’s their families who come to watch,� Brightwell said. “So we are absolutely looking forward to bringing in Coldwater Mountain visitors.�

Brightwell said his business already

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offers a bicycling-friendly atmosphere for offers a bicycling-friendly atmosphere for Chief Ladiga Trail riders that will appeal Chief Ladiga Trail riders that will appeal to Coldwater Mountain visitors, such as to Coldwater Mountain visitors, such as transportation to riding sites and safe transportation to riding sites and safe bicycle storage areas. bicycle storage areas.

Althoughthe theColdwater Coldwater site from Although site is is farfar from complete, it is already drawing interest complete, it is already drawing interest fromorganizers organizersofofbicycle bicycleraces. races. from “We’re getting large requests large“We’re getting large requests forfor largescale events at Coldwater that will bring scale events at Coldwater that will bring 400toto500 500people,” people,”Poe Poesaid. said. “our bike inin400 “our bike clubisisworking workingwith withthe thestate state develop club toto develop anapplication applicationprocess processtotohandle handle the an the requests.” requests.” onesuch suchrequest requestrecently recently came from one came from KennyGriffin, Griffin,owner ownerofofChain Chain Buster Kenny Buster Racing,which whichorganizes organizesrace race promoRacing, promotionsininthe theSoutheast.

Southeast.Griffin Griffin hopes tions hopes toto organizeaalarge, large,three-night three-night race Coldorganize race atat Coldwaternext nextyear. year.Griffin Griffinsaid said that races water that races hehe organizedinin2012 2012drew drewananaverage average 250 organized ofof 250 racersand andanother another100 100toto500 500 spectators racers spectators each. each.

“And those rac“Andon ona aconsistent consistentbasis, basis, those racers lodging ... ... erswill willspend spendtwo twonights nightsonon lodging about will spend about80 80percent percentofofour ourracers racers will spend on they will onlodging,” lodging,”Griffin Griffinsaid. said.“And “And they will spend local grocery spendon ongas. gas.AAlot lotwill willgogototo local grocery stores spend a lot storesfor forrace racefood food......they’ll they’ll spend a lot ofofmoney forfor sure.” moneyininthe thelocal localeconomy economy sure.”

Based ofof ColdBasedon onwhat whathehehas hasseen seen Cold-

water so far and what is planned for the water so far and what is planned for the future, the project should be successful, future, the project should be successful, Griffin said.

Griffin said.

“They are going to be ranked above “They are going to be ranked above the top trails on the East Coast once they the top trails on the East Coast once they completed,” Griffin said of the areare allall completed,” Griffin said of the Coldwater trails.

“It will definitely Coldwater trails. “It will definitely be abe a destination place mountain bikers destination place forfor mountain bikers across the u.S.” across the u.S.”

suCCess rate: suCCess rate: colorado, Georgia colorado, Georgia townsmade made work towns it it work While Anniston is still in the early While Anniston is still in the early stages of its ecotourism development, stages of its ecotourism development, other communities across country other communities across thethe country have been doing same years, with have been doing thethe same forfor years, with varying degrees of success in improving varying degrees of success in improving their local economies.

Lori Buck, mayor their local economies.

Lori Buck, mayor fruita, Colo., said mountain biking of of fruita, Colo., said mountain biking trail development done wonders trail development hashas done wonders for for her city over years. her city over thethe years.

“It“It has made ourour community stronger,” has made community stronger,” Buck said.

Buck said.

Trail development in fruita began in in Trail development in fruita began thethe late 1990s as as a grassroots effort by by late 1990s a grassroots effort a local bike shop owner and other area a local bike shop owner and other area enthusiasts, Buck said.

Those efforts enthusiasts, Buck said.

Those efforts eventually garnered grant support from eventually garnered grant support from thethe Bureau of Land Management to Bureau of Land Managementbuild to build more trails.

In In more recent years, Buck more trails. more recent years, Buck

did you know? did you know?

• Americans spend more • Americans spend more every year on outdoor every year on outdoor recreation ($646 billion) recreation ($646 billion) than they do on gas than they do on gas andand other fuels ($354 billion). other fuels ($354 billion).

• Americans spend nearly • Americans spend nearly as much snow sports as much on on snow sports ($53 billion) as they do on ($53 billion) as they do on Internet access ($54 billion).

Internet access ($54 billion).

• More than million • More than 725725 million visits to state parks visits to state parks provided a collective provided a collective $20$20 billion economic benefit billion economic benefit to to communities surrounding communities surrounding state parks nationwide. state parks nationwide. outdoor industry outdoor industry ASSOcIAtIOn, 2012 ASSOcIAtIOn, 2012

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"Near Atlanta, Near Birmingham, Near Perfect" is a popular slogan used to describe Calhoun County.

As many visitors to the area agree, we are fortunate to enjoy many other exceptional qualities in addition to our convenient geographical location.

Two of those outstanding features are the Hillabee and the Sam Hamner Reservoirs.

Bounded by the Talladega National Forest, their beauty is unrivaled!

So enjoy the great outdoors….on the water….on us!

Permits are required for use. For more information, contact Anniston Water Works at 256-241-2000.

ColdWater Mountain by bill Wilson.

ColdWater Mountain by bill Wilson.

14 Business Calhoun County | SUMMER 2013

Business Calhoun County | SUMMER 2013

15

said, the city of fruita has taken notice of the development and played a more active role in developing the trails, from working with BLM to providing money on its own.

Buck said her city does not keep track of how much the trails have stimulated the local economy, but noted that improvements are clearly visible.

“It has helped our downtown having people down there ... it has helped drive the restaurants,” Buck said.

“Chief ladiga trail represents at least half of our business.”

— sCott brightWell, Parker house bed and breakfast in anniston

Just five or six years ago, there was little business growth in downtown fruita, Buck said. Now, there are four or five restaurants that are always full and provide open, outdoor areas where bikers can congregate.

“If restaurants provide places where people can hang out, the people will come,” Buck said.

The area’s housing market has also benefitted from the trails, Buck added.

“There are so many people that like this lifestyle that they chose to live here because of the mountain biking trails,” Buck said.

The McCaysville, Ga., area has also benefitted through the years from ecotourism, specifically water rafting provided by the Rolling Thunder River Company. The company offers rafting experiences on several waterways, including the ocoee River. Rafting is similar to mountain biking in that both activities tend to attract enthusiasts with above-average incomes.

Bobbye Miller, who has co-owned Rolling Thunder with her husband for the last 30 years, said ecotourism has done much for the area economy.

“There are now more support businesses ... places for visitors to stay and to shop,” Miller said. “There are visitors coming from all over the world.”

A study published in May by the university of Tennessee backs up Miller’s observations, stating that excursions on the ocoee River last year pumped $43.8 million into the economies of the 30 counties along the river. The study showed that visitors to the ocoee supported 622

16

Business Calhoun County | SUMMER 2013

323153 CALHOUN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

the Parker house bed and breakfast by bill Wilson Business Calhoun County | SUMMER 2013

17

ColdWater Mountain by bill Wilson jobs, helped generate $14.12 million in worker paychecks and contributed $3.57 million in tax revenues to the river’s tri-state area.

winning strategy: creating a bike-friendly atmosphere But it will take more than grand trail development plans for Coldwater Mountain for the Anniston area to see similar success. Poe said changes to Anniston’s downtown must be made if the city wants to lure cyclists to spend money.

“What we’re working on is a bicyclingfriendly infrastructure downtown and other areas,” Poe said.

Such infrastructure includes building bicycle safety lanes along city streets and extending the Chief Ladiga Trail behind downtown Anniston.

“It’s not going to happen overnight ... but that will demonstrate that this is a cyclingfriendly place,” Poe said.

Edwards agreed that other support development, such as the extension of the Chief Ladiga Trail, must be considered if the Coldwater project is to fully succeed.

“I can’t overemphasize the connection of Chief Ladiga into downtown,” Edwards said. “It will bring in a lot of people.”

18

Business Calhoun County | SUMMER 2013

Proper marketing is also key to succeeding, Buck said.

She said her city’s tourism board has used various forms of advertising, including television and word of mouth, and also invited bike magazines to write pieces on the area trails.

“Marketing is a big component,” Buck said.

Miller said when she started, her rafting company relied mainly on word of mouth to attract visitors. over the years, however, her advertising increased, particularly through the Internet. Miller said she buys click ads on websites that water rafting enthusiasts tend to visit.

“At this day and time, we focus 90 percent of our advertising on the Internet, and it has worked well,” Miller said.

did you know?

• the outdoor recreation economy grew approximately 5 percent annually between 2005 and 2011 — during a recession when many industries contracted. outdoor industry ASSOcIAtIOn, 2012

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Ebonee Thompson, tourism and marketing director for the Calhoun County Chamber of Commerce, said she and others working to advertise Coldwater Mountain will take similar approaches, starting with word of mouth.

“The main thing we’re going to do is start a grassroots effort ... the way riders know good places to ride is through other riders,” Thompson said.

Mountain bikers who visit Coldwater Mountain could spend $1.2 million to $3.8 million a year, according to a study by Jacksonville state university and the Calhoun County economic development Council.

Since Coldwater is unfinished, Thompson said, advertising will start small, focusing mainly on ads on Internet forums used by mountain bikers.

“We’ll hit websites ... biking sites like bicycling.com,” Thompson said of the advertising. “This is something we’ll roll out over the next few months ... and then by the end of the year, an expansion in advertising will start to take place.”

Thompson said she does not know yet how much money will be spent to advertise Coldwater, adding that the money will come from the chamber’s general advertising budget.

Poe said the buzz about Coldwater’s trails has already begun in the mountain biking community. He said further advertising will help, but the efforts must start out small for now since the trails system is not complete.

“If you heavily market now, you won’t be able to deliver,” he said.

did you know?

ColdWater Mountain by bill Wilson

20

Business Calhoun County | SUMMER 2013

• More people regularly attend fishing tournaments (649,000) than regularly attend nasCar races (557,000), professional golf tournaments (528,000) or college baseball games (500,000).

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Business Calhoun County | SUMMER 2013

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the

green outdoors A look inside calhoun county’s recreation economy

ferns near ColeMan lake by bill Wilson

26

Business Calhoun County | SUMMER 2013

Business Calhoun County | SUMMER 2013

27

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a Fast paCe

5Ks bring runners to town — and attention to sponsors by brian anderson ❘ banderson@annistonstar.com Looking for an easy way to get a brand or company name out to thousands of people all at once? How about printing it on thousands of free T-shirts and pamphlets, distributed in tents and under banners with the company’s logo?

That is essentially what companies are doing when they sponsor local footraces like Anniston’s Woodstock 5K, an event that attracted some 1,300 runners to the city in August, according to race director Haley Gregg.

Woodstock might be the most notable

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Business Calhoun County | SUMMER 2013

race in town, but Gregg said local races take place in Calhoun County all year long.

“There’s just been a huge running boom the last five years,” Gregg said. “It’s hard to find a weekend when there isn’t a 5K going on.”

In other words, there are lots of places for companies to get some exposure with a well-timed sponsorship. Regional Medical Center, Classic on Noble and The Anniston Star are all names that pop up regularly on local race T-shirts and handouts.

for Kyle Medders, a credit manager at fort McClellan Credit union, a sponsorship is just a way to reach out to the community and show your presence.

The credit union was the biggest sponsor of the “there’s just been a Janney furhuge running boom nace 5K race the last five years. in ohatchee, it’s hard to find a Medders weekend when there said. “It isn’t a 5K going on.” wouldn’t — haley gregg, have haprace director for the pened if we Woodstock 5k didn’t give money.”

If a race attracts a lot of runners who wouldn’t otherwise come to the county, they might stick around and spend money in town “And that all helps our local economy,” Medders said. “That’s a win-win.”

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29

running

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It especially helps if the running crowd is exactly the crowd you want to do business with. Terry Phillis Sr., general manager of Mellow Mushroom restaurant in oxford, is one of Woodstock’s many sponsors.

Phillis said that when the restaurant donates money and food to local races, it is also reaching out to potential customers.

“We’re very health-conscious,” Phillis said. “That’s why we sponsor things like the bike club and races. We have what I call a funky atmosphere at Mellow Mushroom, and we get a lot of runners and bikers who like to come here.”

Whatever the reason for the sponsorship, it’s beneficial for the event. Gregg summed up the cost of putting on this year’s Woodstock race with two words: “a lot.” or more than $3,000, she said. That number includes advertising, timing services, banners, tables and all those T-shirts with the sponsors’ names on them. “for us, we need that just to do this,” Gregg said. “And for them, it’s an opportunity for exposure.”

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31

paddling



Floating high Sales and rentals of canoes, kayaks are up statewide by laura gaddy ❘ lbgaddy@annistonstar.com

Hank and Teresa Nelson by canoes at their Redneck Yacht Club business along Terrapin Creek.

BY TReNT PeNNY

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Business Calhoun County | SUMMER 2013

When Anniston native fred Couch began developing the Alabama Scenic River Trail in 2007, there were just eight places to rent kayaks or canoes in Alabama. Now there are 33. of those, 23 are in North Alabama, and at least four are within an hour’s drive of Anniston. Suppliers — known as outfitters — have cropped up in Alabama as the river trail expanded and the popularity of kayaking increased.

“I’m glad we could be a part of it,” Couch said. outfitters business has been operate creekso good in recent side and rent years that on some or sell kayaks saturdays, terrapin and canoes. In outdoor center in exchange for piedmont has more about $25, these customers than it has boats to rent. businesses supply customers with a boat, a paddle, a life jacket and transportation.

Terrapin outdoor Center — an anchor institution located just north of Piedmont in Cherokee County — is one of eight outfitters that existed before the river trail began. Known across the state, Terrapin both rents and sells canoes, kayaks and stand-up paddle boards.

Terrapin has between 300 and 500 boats for sale, as well as about 200 kayaks for rent. owner Mike Warren said he rents 7,500 times between March and September, which is the busy season. Business has been so good in recent years that on some Saturdays, Warren has more customers than he has boats to rent.

Warren’s former customers and current neighbors Hank and Teresa Nelson decided to move to the creek and open up their own rental business, The Redneck Yacht Club, to catch Warren’s overflow business.

The couple began four years ago with five boats, and now rents about 50. Their business also offers campsites, a zip line, a water slide and a water swing.

Another outfitter, Ten foot outfitters, opened in Calhoun County three years ago and is temporary closed.

In Cleburne County, Tallapoosa River outfitters is operated by Andria and Bart owen as a family business. They rent 13 kayaks and 10 canoes by appointment seven days per week.

Tallapoosa River outfitters opened in 2005 and was purchased by the owens in 2012.

“I worked here for four years before I bought it,” Bart owen said. “It just became a part of me and I enjoyed getting out and meeting new people.” owen said he hopes to soon expand his business.

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33

biking



JimmY PeTTus

BY TReNT PeNNY

steady Climb Mountain biking an increasingly popular sport

by eddie burkhalter ❘ eburKhalter@annistonstar.com A powder blue 1980s-era freestyle bicycle frame sits atop a shelf in fun Wheels bicycle shop in oxford. About 30 skateboards hang on one wall.

The popularity of freestyle biking and skateboarding has ebbed and flowed over the years, said the shop’s owner, Jimmy Pettus, and both have been eclipsed by the increasingly popular sport of mountain biking.

The opening of the Coldwater Mountain bike trails last year helped boost the sport’s popularity in the area, Pettus said, but he noted that the sport had already begun increasing in popularity.

About 15 years ago, mountain bike enthusiasts began riding off-road-vehicle trails in a park known as Kentuck in Talladega, Pettus said. But while cyclists

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Business Calhoun County | SUMMER 2013

could hear the motorcycles, motorcyclists couldn’t hear the bicycles. Coldwater gives riders a safe place to practice their sport, Pettus said.

As a result, he’s selling more mountain bikes than ever, Pettus said, and as enthusiasm for mountain biking increases, cyclists begin buying the accessories that go along with it.

“We have to make our money on accessories and repairs,” Pettus said, adding that repairs are common as mountain bikes tend to take a beating.

He estimates his business increased by about 20 percent when Coldwater’s first trails opened in June 2012. Repairs and accessories are leading his mountain biking sales. overall, mountain biking makes up more than half of his business, he said.

A report by Jacksonville State university and the Calhoun County Community Development Corporation released last year predicted that bikers will spend between $1.2 million and $3.8 million each year coming to ride at Coldwater.

Cyclists from out of town come in often, Pettus said, and some do buy bicycles, but the mountain bikers typically already have quality bikes. Instead, visiting cyclists tend to buy odds and ends, Pettus said.

He believes many of those visitors come into town Saturday and stay in Anniston or oxford overnight to get in another afternoon ride before heading home Sunday.

With the starting price for a good beginner mountain bike around $500, Pettus said getting into the sport can be less expensive than getting into road cycling, where bikes can cost $300 more.

“And it’s safer to ride off road. All you have to do is watch for snakes,” Pettus said.

Patrick Wigley, owner of Wig’s Wheels in Anniston, agrees with Pettus, and said that while mountain biking has always mountain biking been popular makes up more in the area, it’s than half of the only getting business at Fun better.

Wheels bicycle “Even shop in oxford, before Coldaccording to owner Jimmy pettus. water was built, mountain biking was still fantastic around here,” Wigley said.

The Coldwater Trail is special, Wigley said, because the trail designers came to it with a blank slate, whereas they often work on existing trails.

“Coldwater is so unique, even compared to the high altitude trails out west,” Wigley said.

Trails on Coldwater continue to be developed by the International Mountain Bicycling Association’s Trail Solutions. once complete, plans call for a complex of about 60 miles of trails, varying from beginner to advanced levels of riding difficulty.

The 4,000-acre tract on Coldwater was designated by the state for recreational use, and is managed by the forever Wild organization, which is operated by the Alabama State Lands Division of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

As those trails grow out across Coldwater Mountain, the number of riders is only expected to increase, Pettus said.

“I think it will keep getting better and better,” Pettus said. “I‘ve heard the term ‘world class’ used. That says a lot.”

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Business Calhoun County | SUMMER 2013

35

Fishing



Christy broWn by stePhen gross

ColeMan lake by bill Wilson

luring tourists

Calhoun County lags behind other area lakes in attracting fishermen by sara Milledge ❘ star staFF Writer Although Lake Neely Henry’s calm, cool waters offer a tempting spot for boating, swimming and paddling, it’s what’s beneath the surface that lures hundreds of fishermen to the lake each year.

“Neely Henry is known nationwide as a very productive bass fishing lake,” explained Tony Lumpkin, co-owner of Buck’s Island Marina and Bait Shop in Southside. “There are tons of bass fishing tournaments that schedule one or more of their events on this lake during the year.”

A u.S. fish & Wildlife Service survey found that 33.1 million anglers spent an

36

Business Calhoun County | SUMMER 2013

average of 17 days fishing in 2011. The survey said 683,000 people fished in Alabama that year, including 210,000 who came from out of state. Those anglers spent $456 million on fishing in Alabama in 2011, the survey said, and fishing-trip-related expenses per angler were about $29 per day.

“When fishermen come to town, they have to eat somewhere, they have to stay somewhere, they may even have to get hunting or fishing permits,” said Dorothy Tidwell, executive director of the Randolph County Chamber of Commerce, which oversees ecotourism on Lake

Wedowee. “It’s a domino effect that affects a lot of people.”

Lumpkin agreed. His shop is located near Lake Neely Henry, a Coosa River reservoir near Gadsden.

“You may have as many as 100 to 200 fishermen come in from out of town ...

People come from as far away as ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee and Indiana,” he said. “They buy an awful lot of gasoline.”

Lumpkin said the majority of the marina’s business from out-of-town fishermen comes from emergency boat repairs, which makes up about 10 percent of his yearly service business. But some leave

having pumped in more money than they intended.

“Sometimes when they’re here getting serviced, they see a boat they like,” he said.

“We have sold many boats to out-of-town fishermen.”

While Lumpkin “i think that it’s not believes stressed, but fishing Etowah is an attraction for County’s this area.” stretch of — Christy brown of the Coosa hart’s ferry bait and is worktackle in ohatchee ing toward reaching its full potential as a fishing destination, he thinks local governments can do more to promote fishing ecotourism in the area.

“My opinion is that more events could be attracted to the lake with more incentive by local authorities and governments,”

he said, adding that event organizers often look for monetary incentives when deciding on a venue. “In the past, the city of Gadsden has done quite a bit. They haven’t done as much lately, but that might be because of budget constraints.”

Just 20 minutes away, Calhoun County’s piece of Lake Neely Henry isn’t as popular. for the most part, ohatchee’s boat ramps and piers are falling apart, and many of the area’s concrete picnic tables are gone.

“We need an additional pier built near the second boat launch,” said Christy Brown, who owns Hart’s ferry Bait and Tackle. “They could do some pier repairs ... ohatchee is small. They don’t have the funding the county or the state does.”

But the need for repairs doesn’t slow down some fishermen, Brown said.

“We have a lot of people from Birmingham that come to ohatchee to fish,”

she said. “fifty percent of our customers are from Birmingham and Anniston.”

Still, Calhoun County lacks a booming waterfront fishing destination, like Randolph County’s Lake Wedowee.

Tidwell said part of the lake’s appeal is that other attractions encourage fishermen to bring their families, even if they aren’t anglers.

“We have one of the sites for the Piedmont Plateau Birding Trail on Lake Wedowee,” she said. “If the family comes to the lake and doesn’t want to fish, there are other things to do.”

But the lake’s biggest selling point is its cleanliness.

“There are a lot of people who fish Lake Wedowee because it’s one of the cleanest lakes in Alabama,” Tidwell said.

“That person will go back, tell his friends about Lake Wedowee and come back and bring some friends.”

Littering is a major problem for ohatchee’s fishing industry. In July, ohatchee Mayor Steve Baswell met with a team to address the issue. While plans for cleanup have not yet been made, ohatchee’s government is taking notice of the Coosa’s potential.

“I think that it’s not stressed,” said Brown, “but fishing is an attraction for this area.”

Business Calhoun County | SUMMER 2013

37

Camping Camping

 

CaNe99RV RVPaRk PaRk&&CamPGRouNd CamPGRouNdBY BYBill BillwilsoN wilsoN CaNe

stake a Claim stake Localcampgrounds campgroundsoffer offerspecialized specialized amenities amenities Local by raChael broWn ❘ rbroWn@annistonstar.com by raChael broWn ❘ rbroWn@annistonstar.com Two campsite owners have seen their Two campsite owners have seen their ventures grow by filling unmet needs of ventures grow by filling unmet needs of visitors who want to explore Alabama’s visitors who want to explore Alabama’s great outdoors. great outdoors.

Charlie fagan, owner of the Chief Charlie fagan, owner of the Chief Ladiga Trail Campground, decided three Ladiga Trailhe Campground, decided threeof years ago wanted to share his “piece years ago he wanted to share his “piece of heaven” with campers, hikers, bikers and heaven” with campers, hikers, bikers and kayakers. kayakers. fagan considers his 62 acres in Borden fagan aconsiders his 62 acres Borden Springs triple threat, since it’sinwhere Springs a triple threat, since it’s where the Chief Ladiga Trail crosses the Pinhoti the Chief Trail crosses the Pinhoti Trail andLadiga Terrapin Creek.

Visitors come to Trail and Terrapin Creek.

Visitors to bike on the Chief Ladiga, hike thecome Pinhoti bike on the Chief Ladiga, hike the Pinhoti and canoe in the creek. and “You canoecan in the creek. do everything all at the same “You can do everything all at the same place,” he said. place,” he said.

fagan realized there was a need for a fagan realized there was a need for a place to stay on the Chief Ladiga Trail for place to stay on the Chief Ladiga Trail for people who would rather live off the land people who would rather live off the land than stay in a motel. than stay in a motel.

“We just want to have a nice, clean, “We just want to have a nice, clean, wholesome place where people can wholesome place where people can come,” fagan said. come,” fagan said.

Besides promoting the expandpromoting expandingBesides Chief Ladiga Trail,the fagan hopes ing Chief Ladiga Trail, fagan hopes his campground will help Piedmont’s his campground will help Piedmont’s economy by bringing more visitors to economy by bringing more visitors to the the city. fagan said before he opened the city. faganhe said before he opened the campground visited other campsites campground he visited other campsites across the country to learn tips and tricks across country learn tipshe and tricks of the the trade. one oftothe things noticed ofwas thethat trade. one of the things he noticed most campgrounds lacked upwas that bath mosthouses. campgrounds lacked upto-date to-date bath houses.

38 Business Calhoun County | SUMMER 2013 38 Business Calhoun County | SUMMER 2013

“Theyhad had beautiful beautiful campgrounds, campgrounds, “They butwhen whenyou you go go use use their their bath bath house or but pavilions,most most of of them them were were falling in,” pavilions, fagansaid. said. fagan Sowhen whenfagan fagan built built his his campground, So hespent spentmost most of of the the money money on a handhe icap-accessible 1,800-square-foot 1,800-square-foot bath icap-accessible housecomplete complete with with central central heating and house air. air. fagan fagan owner charlie owner estimatedhe he estimated Fagan considers considers his Fagan sees around sees around chief ladiga chief ladiga trail 1,000visitors visitors 1,000 campground aa triple triple campground throughout throughout threat, since since visitors visitors threat, theyear, year,some some the come to to bike bike on on the the come whoprefer prefer who chief ladiga ladiga trail, trail, chief campingin in camping hike the the pinhoti pinhoti hike tents and othtents and othtrail and and canoe canoe in in trail ersin inRVs. RVs. ers terrapin creek. creek. terrapin ThecampcampThe sites are$20 $20 sites are per night, fagan said, said, but but group group rates rates are are per night, fagan available. available. fagansaid said he he was was uncertain uncertain how how fagan much money he’s invested in the campmuch money he’s invested in the campground, other than thousands of dollars. ground, other than thousands of dollars.

“It’sjust justsomething something to to play play with. with. II see see it it “It’s asaapossible possible future future retirement,” retirement,” he he said. said. as Theonly onlyadvertising advertising for for the the campcampThe ground is done through its website, fagan ground is done through its website, fagan said, but he has plans to advertise in said, but he has plans to advertise in otherplaces places after after he he installs installs utilities. utilities. other finding a dog-friendly place to stop stop finding a dog-friendly place to while traveling was difficult for Sonya while traveling was difficult for Sonya urquhart,owner owner of of Cane Cane 99 Creek Creek RV RV Park Park urquhart, and Campground in Heflin.

That’s why and Campground in Heflin. That’s why shedecided decided to to create create aa place place for for dog dog lovlovshe ers to camp and let their pets play. ers to camp and let their pets play.

“It’saaplace place for for pets pets to to bring bring their their peopeo“It’s ple,” urquhart said. “That’s my motto.” ple,” urquhart said. “That’s my motto.” urquhart estimated she sees 250 dogs urquhart estimated she sees 250 dogs at her RV and tent campground each year. at her RV and tent campground each year.

The 10-acre campground offers a The 10-acre campground offers a place for four-legged family members to place for four-legged family members to run and play in a creek. run and play in a creek.

“A lot of people who travel with dogs “A lot of people who travel with dogs have them cooped up for several days. have them cooped up for several days.

Being able to play in the creek and run Being able to play in the creek and run through a field allows them to relax with through a field allows them to relax with their humans,” urquhart said. their humans,” urquhart said. urquhart said she’s spent around urquhart said she’s spent around $100,000 on the campground, most of $100,000 on the campground, most of which went into fixing a house on site which went into fixing a house on site where she and her husband live. where she and costs her husband live.

A campsite $27.50 per night and A campsite costs $27.50 per nightroom and includes Internet access, a laundry includes Internet access, a laundry room and showers. andurquhart showers.said campers stay at her park urquhart said stay at her park to watch races at campers the Talladega Superto watch races at the Talladega Superspeedway, go biking or antiquing. The speedway, biking or in antiquing.

The campsite isgo advertised travel magacampsite is advertised in travel magazines, urquhart said, and she’s seen her zines, urquhart said,the and she’s seen her business grow over years. business grow over the years.

“It’s getting better and better every “It’surquhart getting better year,” said. and better every year,” urquhart said.

CHeaHa BY sTePHeN GRoss CHeaHa BY sTePHeN GRoss

hunting

^

‘tUrkey dynASty’

Maker of turkey calls sees business boom after filming a TV show

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A Heflin businessman who makes turkey calls for hunters has branched out into television — and his business is reaping the benefits.

Mike Pentecost, owner of Woodhaven Custom Calls in Heflin, has owned his business since 1992. After a hunting show he filmed called “Woodhaven Pure Turkey” was picked up by the Pursuit Channel on DirecTV and Dish Network, he’s expecting the company to double or triple in size to keep up with demand.

Woodhaven sells 16 kinds of friction calls, which use glass or slate set in a wood case and a wooden pointer to imitate the turkey’s call; 40 different mouth calls, which are operated similarly to a whistle but are held entirely inside the mouth; and two box calls, which use a wooden box and stick to create the turkey call.

Each year, the company sells about 50,000 mouth calls and 5,000 of the others, Pentecost said.

The company currently sells in about 100 stores. But after the hunting show started airing in January, Pentecost picked up Hudalla Associates, a hunting goods marketing company based in Minnesota, to promote his products. Pentecost expects to be selling his turkey calls in about 500 stores this year.

Pentecost currently employs four people and supplements with high school shop students durthe tV show ing his busy “Woodhaven pure season. The turkey” might bring potential some tourism to increase town, but spending in busitax dollars on it would ness will be a gamble, said the mean more chair of the cleburne employees, county commission. possibly doubling his workforce to eight or even 12, Pentecost said.

Pentecost developed the calls by trial and error. “I feel like I’ve earned my Ph.D. in woods,” he said. “Nature has been my classroom.”

It was a hobby at first. He started

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Mike PenteCost by Misty Pointer experimenting with making turkey calls around 1986.

In 1992, he turned his hobby into a sideline business.

“I started out in my grandmama’s basement and my daddy’s basement,” Pentecost said.

“I built calls and signed them with a Sharpie.”

He developed a following, and in 1999 went into business full-time.

Pentecost’s hunting show, “Woodhaven Pure Turkey,” was something he’d been thinking about for a few years, but he could never find the time or the right story. Then, after he killed his 439th turkey during the 2011 turkey season, Pentecost found the angle he liked.

The series focused on Pentecost’s attempt to kill his 450th turkey by his 50th birthday.

He filmed 11 episodes, which began airing in January. Pentecost, now 51, reached his goal in 2012, and the shows

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were a hit. The Pursuit Channel requested another season.

But the show is expensive to produce.

Pentecost sunk in about $120,000 for the first season, he said. This season, he is hoping to entice sponsors to invest money in the show.

He’s approached the Cleburne County Commission about becoming a sponsor.

Besides his hunting successes, the show also highlights his hometown, Heflin, and its surrounding areas, Pentecost said.

Ryan Robertson, Cleburne County probate judge, who serves as chairman of the commission, said the show could bring some benefits to the community. for instance, “Duck Dynasty,” filmed in West Monroe, La., probably brings tourism to that town, he said. But spending tax dollars for the exposure would be kind of a gamble, Robertson said.

“I have great respect for Mr. Pentecost,” Robertson said. “I think it’s just unchartered territory for our county.”

Business Calhoun County | SUMMER 2013

41

motorized



Fourwheel drive Off-roading continues to grow into big business

by laura CaMPer lcamper@annistonstar.com Danny Hubbard started off-road trail riding in the 1970s on the old Coosa River Storage Annex property in Talladega where his father-in-law worked as a guard.

At the time, there were no public, offroad trails for all-terrain vehicles and dirt bikes nearby, said Hubbard.

Decades later, Top Trails, which opened on the same Talladega property, is one of six Alabama trails listed on the Cheaha Trail Riders website. Hubbard is public relations manager for Trail Riders, a group which has been instrumental in bringing trails to the area.

Trail Riders, founded in 1988, created a partnership with the u.S. forest Service to build Kentuck off-Road Vehicle Area in the Talladega National forest between oxford and Munford, Hubbard said.

Kentuck was the first public trail system for off-road vehicles in Alabama, he added. Trail Riders, which has helped build a number of parks in Alabama, gets requests to help with trails because they bring tourism, Hubbard said.

According to a 2010 study done for the outdoor Industry Association, offroading spending totals $66.5 billion per year nationwide. Motorcycling brings in another $42.5 billion. That includes equipment purchases and travel-related expenses for the hobby, the study states.

Gloria Nielsen, district ranger at the Talladega National forest, said Kentuck drew 1,600 riders in 2010, 968 in 2011, 1,276 in 2012 and 740 through the middle of 2013. She noted the drop in 2011 was

probably caused by high gas prices. But the numbers are climbing again, she said. off-road parks continue to open locally as entrepreneurs and municipalities attempt to lure riders.

In 2013, Top Trails, owned by the Park Authority of Lincoln and Talladega, off-road parks has drawn continue to an average of open locally as 150 people entrepreneurs a week, said and municipalities Mic Barnett, attempt to lure park director. riders.

The park is not self-sufficient yet, but the 10-year plan estimated it would be by the end of its third year, Barnett said.

Already, the park is drawing people from all over Alabama and Georgia, he said.

Bama Boggin’ Mud Park, owned by Judy, Carl and Seth Blackwell, opened its mud bog and ATV trails in Heflin in March. floyd Davis, owner of Ross Mountain Adventures, also in Cleburne County, officially opened ATV trails over Independence Day weekend.

As the opportunities for riding increase, local four-wheeler and dirtbike dealers expect to see an increase in sales.

Doug Rosser, owner of Piedmont outdoors, sells four-wheelers for work and recreation.

“Probably what I sell is 50 to 60 percent farm use and 40 percent recreational use,” Rosser said.

A small percentage of buyers want mud machines to use on muddy trails, Rosser said, but those machines can be expensive at around $18,000. Less powerful four-wheelers can be had for about $5,500, he said.

Rosser said the dollar amount of his sales has increased over the years, but he’s not sure if that’s because there are more buyers or if buyers are simply purchasing more expensive machines.

Kelly White, office manager at Bama Power Sports in oxford, which sells motorcycles and dirt bikes along with four-wheelers, said she has noticed a growing number of people off-roading.

White expects as more trails open, more people will start participating.

“I think it’s a great outlet from the daily grind,” White said.

douG RosseR BY TReNT PeNNY

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Business Calhoun County | SUMMER 2013

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Business Calhoun County | SUMMER 2013

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golF

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aNNisToN CouNTRY CluB PHoTos BY TReNT PeNNY

on the green Golf courses spread the wealth locally

by Paige rentz ❘ prentz@annistonstar.com

CideR RidGe Golf CluB

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Business Calhoun County | SUMMER 2013

Golf is a high-maintenance game. for players, it requires the right shoes, the proper clothes, clubs that cost hundreds of dollars, perfect weather, even a specialized form of transportation.

Then there’s the course.

“A lot of people don’t realize how much goes into maintaining the golf course,” said Ed Joseph, director of golf at Cider Ridge Golf Club, a semi-private

club owned by the city of oxford and managed by Honours Golf. Cider Ridge is one of at least seven golf courses operated locally.

Maintenance crews must keep on their toes, staying aware of changing weather and temperatures, or problems such as grass diseases that can creep up on a course, Joseph said. Not to mention, he said, golf courses are asking grass to do

what it naturally doesn’t want to do: stay short all the time.

Even on beautiful days, a rainy forecast earlier in the week can affect the number of people who come out to play. “People make other plans,” Joseph said. However, he added, “when they predict a really nice day, you can tell it because our tee sheets are full from beginning to end.” on a very busy day, Joseph said, about 160-180 players come through the club; occasionally the number pushes 200.

Joseph said running a golf course is an expensive endeavor. While he wouldn’t provide specific figures for Cider Ridge, he said that golf courses in general spend between $300,000 and more than $1 million on course maintenance. “for courses

that host tour events,” he said, “it can be even more.”

Alabama is home to the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, a system of 11 courses throughout the state, the closest of which is Silver Lakes on the border between Calhoun and Etowah counties. “our entire focus is to bring people from outside Alabama into Alabama,” said John Cannon, head of the trail.

Cannon said trail courses each year see between 500,000 and 600,000 players, about half of whom come from out of state.

Courses along the Interstate 65 and Interstate 85 corridors stay busiest, he said.

“Like with any other business, location

is paramount when you’re attracting a consumer,” he said.

Joseph said his course’s location about halfway between Atlanta and Birmingham is convenient for overnight or weekend golf trips. He said Cider Ridge also sees players who drop in to play for a break between business meetings when they are in town.

“Any time you can have an attraction that brings people from outside of the immediate area, it benefits the city,” he said, noting the positive effect such courses can have on property values.

According to information provided by Bill Lang with the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, the golf industry had a $1.5 billion economic impact and provided more than 20,000 jobs in Alabama in 2010.

Cannon said it’s about more than just golfers paying to play. They stay in hotels, eat in restaurants and shop in stores or local pro shops.

“When a company “When a company is is looking looking at a place to at a place locate, they’re looking to locate, for quality of life for they’re their employees and looking for executives, and golf quality of plays a major part life for their in that.” employees — John Cannon, head and execuof the robert trent tives, and Jones golf trail golf plays a major part in that,” Cannon added.

In Anniston, the city runs two golf courses, an 18-hole course at Cane Creek and nine holes at The Hill.

City finance Director Danny McCullars said the courses are definitely a quality-of-life endeavor for residents, because they’ve never really generated a profit for the city.

With budgets of more than $500,000 and $100,000 respectively, more than half the cost to run Cane Creek and The Hill is paid by the city.

Last year, the city courses paid more than $350,000 in wages to local employees.

Cannon, of the Robert Trent Jones trail, said that in areas where there is a population base, part of the trail’s mission is to help make the community successful. He said the trail’s golf courses help bring in tax dollars that help keep infrastructure intact, particularly education.

“The more successful we are,” he said, “the more successful are the communities in Alabama.”

Business Calhoun County | SUMMER 2013

45

sporting goods

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trophy lives Local shops supply trophies and T-shirts for 5Ks by leah Cayson ❘ star staFF Writer

JaCk BoweN BY sTePHeN GRoss

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Business Calhoun County | SUMMER 2013

Karen Godsey, owner of B&S Sporting Goods in Anniston, said any business can benefit from tourism tied to outdoor recreation – hers included. Godsey said her business sees an economic boost from 5K races and local sports tournaments.

B&S offers screen printing, embroidery, team uniforms for parks-and-recreation-league teams and sports equipment. “We screen print for some 5Ks like the YMCA 5Ks and Mardi Gras 5K,” Godsey said, adding that she wants her business to become more involved. “Internet is also taking away from local businesses,” she added.

Godsey added that B&S has been in business for 40 years, so approximately a lot of the 30 percent of company’s business at awards to remember in business ohatchee comes comes from from events that word of bring at least a few mouth. visitors from out of quality town, said owner Trophies & robert smith.

Awards in Anniston sells trophies, awards and gifts for a variety of events. owner Jack Bowen said the business benefits from events that encourage tourism.

“As long as the economy is good and our area keeps growing, there’s always room for other types of businesses like mine,” Bowen said. “We are always looking to expand our business.” unlike Bowen, the owner of Awards to Remember in ohatchee said the current state of the economy could not support multiple businesses like his award shop.

“I’ve been doing this for 30 years. I’ve seen when there were 10 competitors in Calhoun County and as low as two in the county,” said owner Robert Smith.

“It seems to be when you get too many, there’s not enough to go around. It’s like a survival-of-the-fittest kind of thing.”

According to Smith, the sponsors of footraces and sports tournaments tend to buy locally for awards, which helps his business. Smith said approximately 30 percent of his business comes from events that bring at least a few visitors from out of town, like the Anniston Lions Club 5K he recently provided awards for. He added that his business expanded to the Internet to avoid losing dollars.

“It’s not as big of an issue,” Smith said of competition from the Internet. “We’re a part of the Internet now. We have the most extensive website, so we get business from others. We lose a little and gain a little.”

CloCking out | tim locKette

Ecotourism could be good for us in more ways than money in the private sector. Who knew? thIngS WERE bEttER when the soldiers were here.

But we may be able to work this ecotourism thing. If it Though it didn’t always seem like it at the time. helps, think of the hikers and bikers and runners as a small My first real job depended on them. At 17, just out of army, consisting entirely of officers. Lanky, ponytailed high school, I worked at a pizza place in Lenlock. That money machines. fit, oldish folks with graduate degrees meant delivering to soldiers. To sadistic NCos in Saks, who would chew me out in front of their wives and kids. To train- and more money than a fighter jock who just got his pilot bonus. ees who asked me to slip the pizza through a back window one survey shows 73 percent of competitive runners and deny everything if I ran into a sergeant. To a guy in a reporting a household income of more than Lenlock hotel room, who answered the door in a $75,000. Local merchants, can you say “army of towel while his girlfriend waited in a still-sloshing one?” hot tub.

If we play our cards right, we can work this ecoSoldiers. They were lanky, bald-headed money tourism thing. But we’ll have to do things in a difmachines. You’d see them, walking in packs ferent way. our new guests will pay $6 for a beer, if down the shoulder of Alabama 21, just looking for it’s good; our old guests were looking for six beers someplace to blow their paychecks. I hated them for a dollar. our new guests may walk up and much of the time. fit young men with money, down Alabama 21, but they’ll expect a sidewalk.

Tim squiring local ladies to the prom. They were the Lockette Don’t get me wrong. our soldiers could tell a competition.

But things were better when they were here.

Teachable Moments good beer from a bad beer, but they were living in exile, and had few choices. Most of what I know Anniston felt occupied, in the best and worst about the virtues of New York pizza, I learned from a guy senses of the word. Cobras and Hueys roared past at all who tipped me through a barracks window. “This ain’t real hours of the day, the roads were filled with camouflaged pizza,” he said. “Let me tell you about real pizza.” The best trucks, artillery thudded into the night — but Anniston had thing the Army brought us was the voice from outside, the a reason to be. Now the soldiers are gone, and the place one that told us our schools were bad, that our roads were sometimes feels like a mini-Detroit, burned out and hopefull of holes, that our pizza wasn’t pizza. less.

Maybe the ecotourists will bring back that outside voice.

If you had suggested, back then, that we could make our or maybe they’ll bite their tongues, as educated people living off of ecotourism rather than war, folks would have laughed in your face. You can’t replace 10,000 soldiers with a often do, afraid to upset the delicate balance of native bigbunch of hippies on bikes, son. otry. or maybe, when they see things they don’t like, they’ll But that’s exactly what Anniston is now trying to do. We just make a quiet decision not to come back. have to, because Corporate America has refused to occupy our new guests have money, but they also have choices. us. All we wanted was a company that would bring in thouIf we’re going to turn ecotourism into a moneymaker, sands of new workers, fresh out of high school, and force we’re going to have to work — and think — a little harder them to live right here in town. Turns out you can’t do that than we used to.

The view from Chimney Peak in Jacksonville.

BY TReNT PeNNY

Business Calhoun County | SUMMER 2013

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Closing sCene

The sun sets west of anniston, as seen from the slope of Blue mountain. BY TReNT PeNNY

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Business Calhoun County | SUMMER 2013

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