Elkhorn Creek/Ashland Project

Contact Information

OSM/VISTA: Ann Nicks
Supervisor: Sharon Walden
Sponsoring Organization: Elkhorn Creek/Ashland Project
Address: Ashland Company Store, HC 76 Box 701 Ashland, WV 24868
Phone: 304.862.4800
E-Mail: mara_nicks@hotmail.com
U.S. Congressional Districts: 3rd
County:McDowell County

Background:

Travel Beautiful Appalachia Inc was founded in 2005 in response to local need for business opportunities. Serving three counties TBAI serves the Unemployed and the underemployed as a business incubator. It is a place one can come to with a dream of a business and see that dream become reality. Through business classes, getting information about starting a business, and industrial kitchen and computer lab, just about any microbusiness can get a start with TBAI.

Goals:

A major goal of TBAI is to increase local business opportunities including ecotourism. Record breaking trout live in Elkhorn Creek, but because of the untreated sewage you can't eat the fish. Partnering with the local Wastewater coalition, TBAI found it needed to clean up the Elkhorn Creek. Having conducted a field survey and developed a non traditional sewage treatment plan, only funding is needed for implementation.

Achievements:

Opening the Ashland Company Store in October of 2006 was a major achievement for TBAI. The building was renovated and declared a historical site. The kitchen was deemed worthy of manufacturing goods, like local jams and jellies. The store has historical displays and sells products produced by local artisans and West Virginians whenever possible. Achieving 501(C)(3) status after 18 months established TBAI and the Ashland Company Store as a non profit group.

In January of 2008, TBAI received a grant for $10,000 from the McDavid Foundation in support of their project to remove the straight pipes from Ashland community/Elkhorn Creek.