Goal: (A=Tourism, B= Entrepreneurial Development, C=Attracting Retirees & Lone Eagles

Action Strategy

Goal: T = Tourism

Strategy T1 Sand Dunes Business Network

Background/Concept: The St Anthony Sand Dunes are a recreational asset that grew slowly, then rapidly, in use while many residents were relatively unaware of the magnitude of the activity. Because a significant access road led directly to Rexburg, many users have oriented themselves to Rexburg and no made use of Fremont County merchants for their purchases.

The bridge replacement in the summer of 2007 caused the St Anthony Chamber of Commerce to see the opportunity to redirect not only traffic, but purchasing patterns toward St Anthony. A sand dunes festival and ATV parade were organized in June 2007, and a temporary trail established connecting the town and the dunes. By working with the network of service providers to the ATV dune users, both at the dunes and in Parker and St Anthony, the county can capture a greater proportion of visitor spending. Again, this is a long term process that will build over several years. It requires playing the role of network manager to continue looking for ways to add value to the business network and encourage new business formation. It also requires working with county planning to increase the visitor capacity near the dunes. This strategy is largely a continuation of the good work done in 2007.

Potential Partners: St Anthony Chamber of Commerce Fremont County Planning, city of St. Anthony, and City of Parker dunes business operators Potential Resources: Idaho Parks & Rec can help to get RV dump stations built. Sites that can connect with central sewage treatment systems are preferred. BLM Concerns:

Ranking Score Plausibility (To what degree will a success fix the problem? i.e. size of community reward) 6 Score 1-10 Feasibility (Can we access the resources to succeed? i.e. probability of success) Score 1-10 6 Community Readiness (Score 1-5; 1=Not Ready, 5= Very Ready) 4 Total Score = Plausibility x Feasibility x Community Readiness 144 Action Steps a. Continue to manage the network of dunes-related businesses via e-mail On-going updates and meetings. Look for new opportunities to add value to dune users and help keep visitor spending within the county. b. Develop marketing brochures that show dunes users the services available X = Done and the contact info for service providers c. Work to develop a permanent ATV/snowmobile trail between the sand dunes Not Done and St. Anthony. Create a “Park and Drive” lot on outskirts of St. Anthony where ATVers can park and get into town via walking trail, bicycle, or rental car? d. Continue to work to improve signage to the dunes and to service providers Not Done from the dunes. e. Not Done f. Not Done g. Not Done