Published: September 03, 2008 02:12 pm            

Route 27 Association driving forward, officials say

Submitted by the Coosa Valley Regional Deveiopment Cente



From a small group of elected officials and private citizens meeting in the spring of 2007, the newly formed Route 27 Association is now a Georgia certified public nonprofit corporation creating a vision and developing a strategy.

Route 27 is an alternative, “tourist friendly” north-south corridor, and a less stressful, more scenic route, as opposed to the I-75 experience, according to Bebe Heiskell, Walker County commissioner. “It has always been my vision to elevate the economic importance of Route 27 to not only the Coosa Valley region, but for the entire state of Georgia.”

The Route 27 Association got its jumpstart when Polk County Commissioner Billy Croker was president of the Georgia Association of County Commissioners in 2006. “I felt that ACCG establishing Route 27 as a high priority would be a significant first step in gaining statewide recognition of the importance of this corridor as an economic opportunity,” said Croker. This helped create the awareness south of the Coosa Valley region and generated enthusiasm for reinventing the association.

The original Route 27 Association was formed back in the late 1980s with the mission of getting the Georgia Department of Transportation to construct four lanes on Route 27 from north to south. As the Association’s goals became realized, enthusiasm waned, and the economic benefits lacked a sustaining vision, said Bill Steiner, executive director, Coosa Valley Regional Development Center. Although the original association did a comprehensive video presentation of the route’s scenic and tourist attributes, and produced a brochure that highlighted the historic courthouses along this corridor complete with signage, ongoing leadership just wasn’t there, according to Steiner. “But it now has spark plugs on the board that are generating enthusiasm,” he said.

At the Coosa Valley Regional Development Center meeting Aug. 21, Virgil Sperry, CVRDC private representative from Walker County, was recognized and presented the “Distinguished Coosa Valley Citizen” award for his leadership on the Route 27 Association.

Sperry told the CVRDC board that like any new business startup, the numerous challenges and hurdles of getting organized take precedence over actual action items, "but now that we’re a legal entity structured for results, I’m hoping that we can get to implement our vision."

Sperry reported that an accounting firm has been retained to get IRS tax exempt status for the association. All 18 of the participating counties are current in their $1,000 per member annual dues and the second year notice has just been mailed.

"The historic courthouse signs have been found and we are seeking GDOT commissioner approval for having these installed along the corridor," said Sperry.

At the last association meeting, more than 30 board representatives attended and there is a genuine enthusiasm for developing a marketing plan that will result in Route 27 becoming a point of travel destination. Already, various tourism promotion organizations are aligning their marketing efforts in concert with the Association. The Historic Chattahoochee Commission which covers nine of the Route 27 counties is redesigning its brochure highlighting Route 27.

A One Georgia Authority proposal has been submitted. If funded, the Association will be engaging a professional tourist marketing firm that will develop a strategy for promoting the travel points and projects that will further enhance the route’s image to prospective tourists. Lloyd Frasier, CVRDC director of economic development, said the One Georgia Authority decision will be made in September.

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.