Lakeland TN - Adventure Tourism District Lakeland ’s Adventure Tourism District Business Plan

The City of Lakeland is applying for the authorization of an Adventure Tourism District encompassing the entire City Corporate Limits. Establishing this district will greatly enhance Lakeland's ability to attract adventure tourism related industries and expand its local eco no m y.

Existing Adventure Tourism in the L a k e l a n d a n d L o o s a h a t c h i e Region

Adventure tourism in our area is virgin industry that includes rafting, canoeing, kayaking, zip lining, and hiking. Canoeing is by far the most established activity on Loosahatchie River but the City of Lakeland believes that this activity has not been marketed and therefore underutilized. Because adventure tourism supports not only adventure tourism companies themselves, it also bolsters hotel, motel, res taurant, a nd s e r v i c e s t a t i o n e c o n o m i e s .

The importance of adventure tourism to local economies is demonstrated by a 2016 stud y published by the Department of Tourism. This study estimated that tourism in Shelby County increased 1.2% from 2015 and Expenditures were nearly $3.2 million, with nearly 20,000 employed in tourism trades.1

While Shelby County was not in ’s Top 10 in total tourism

1 Department of Tourist Development. Authorization No. 326218, 650 copies, August 2016.

1 | P a g e dollars, it is hoped that being designated as a Tourism District, Lakeland will help move Shelby County into this top tier.

2 | P a g e Opportunities

The City of Lakeland is located northeast of the Memphis metropolitan area and is the one of several municipalities abutting the Loosahatchie River. The Loosahatchie is conveniently located near Highway 385 (Interstate 69), Highway 70 (the first state route in T e n n e s s e e ) , a n d Interstate 40.

With such a prime setting, Lakeland is poised to become a central for all adventure tourists visiting the Loosahatchie River area, especially those visiting the Memphis area. The City of Lakeland does lack some of the amenities tourists seek. Though there are some hotels, gas stations and a few other stores, tourists desire more desirable overnight accommodations and dining options. This leads many visitors to stay in neighboring communities that do offer a multitude of restaurants and lodging options. Until Lakeland can provide tourists wi th more amenities, it is unlikely the city will fully capitalize on the adventure tourism industry. Establishing an adventure tourism district will serve as a v a l u e t o o l i n o u r e c o n o m i c d e v e l o p m e n t t o o l b o x .

Business Goals

The goals of the Lakeland Loosahatchie River Adventure Tourism District are:

I. Establish adventure tourism businesses in Lakeland related to river rafting. Multi-generational adventures, vacation/public service getaways, paring events with our annual bike race (Tour de Lakeland) and other bike races.

3 | P a g e II. Seek to take advantage of the Extend, Enhance and Embellish the trails and byways network by Shelby County.

III. Soft tourism attractions such as yoga getaways are also emerging on the adventure tourism horizon and may also be worth pursuing.

IV. Increase the number of other tourism related businesses such as restaurants and hotels in Lakeland.

4 | P a g e Appendix - Background on the Loosahatchie River

The Loosahatchie River at one time was a tributary of the . Today, the Loosahatchie River and its tributaries traverses 64 miles through five counties, including Fayette and Shelby in West Tennessee, flowing through the towns of Oakland, Galloway, and Arlington, as well as the cities of Lakeland, Bartlett, and Memphis on its way to the . The River’s open space connects these communities, forming a green corridor that offers the opportunity to introduce alternative transportation in the form of a planned greenway trail system.

While the original portion of the river and its meanders retain moderate value regarding scenic qualities, they are considered excellent fisheries and retain value for recreational boating and fishing. The channel, on the other hand, offers more limited recreational and scenic values. The introduction of the Loosahatchie River Greenway Trail will assist in habitat restoration and the return of recreational opportunities to the channel area.

The Loosahatchie River Channel offers the City of Lakeland the opportunity to introduce its trails and other adventure tourism amenities in a unique, naturalized area. The River is fed by three principal creeks in Lakeland. The southern head waters of Oliver Creek, Scotts Creek and Clear Creek could serve focal points for prospects in adventure tourism trade.

Much of the land along the northern boundary of the River is owned by the Shelby County Conservation Board. The Conservation Board is responsible for acquiring, developing, and maintaining all county parkways, playgrounds, public park services and recreational conservation

5 | P a g e areas.

6 | P a g e 7 | P a g e RESOLUTION NO. _____

A RESOLUTION TO APPLY FOR THE AUTHORIZATION OF AN ADVENTURE TOURISM DISTRICT IN LAKELAND , TN

WHEREAS, Tennessee Code Annotated (TCA) Section 11- 11-204 allows for county and municipal governments to authorize the creation of an adventure tourism district; and,

WHEREAS, TCA 11-11-204 allows the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development and the Tennessee Department of Revenue to approve such districts; and,

WHEREAS, the City of Lakeland has, by its proximity to the Loosahatchie River, the opportunity to attract businesses in the adventure tourism industry; and,

WHEREAS, tax credits made available to businesses in adventure tourism districts will promote economic development in the City of Lakeland.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and City Commission of Lakeland, TN hereby authorizes the creation of an adventure tourism district.

ADOPTED THIS ___ day of ______2017

______Mayor Attest ______City Recorder Month, day, 2017

Bob Rolfe, Commissioner TN Department of E c o n o m i c & C o m m u n i t y D e v e l o p m e n t 312 Rosa L Parks Avenue, 11th Floor Nashville, TN, 37243

Dear Commissioner R o l f e ,

The City of Lakeland, TN hereby respectfully requests the creation of the Lakeland Loosahatchie River Adventure Tourism District.

Lakeland, TN is uniquely situated adjacent to the Loosahatchie River. This recreation area provides ample opportunities for adventure tourism including rafting, kayaking, zip lining, and canoeing. As the municipality, close to the Loosahatchie River, Lakeland has the opportunity and the desire to support businesses in the adventure tourism industry who m a y w i s h t o utilize this area.

Thank you for your consideration of this application. I, Wyatt Bunker, hereby confirm that 'this application, including all attachments, does not contain any representations of fact which are false or misleading in any respect.

______Mayor, City of Lakeland This letter needs to be signed and notarized