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WARREN, Pa. – The Kinzua Regional Marketing Initiative has selected CHM Government Services to be its consultant in the summer of 2022 to develop a market study and strategic planning project for the areas surrounding Kinzua Beach and Kinzua Dam.
The Kinzua Regional Marketing Initiative is a task force created by the Warren County Development Association in conjunction with the United States Forest Service, The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and interested Warren County businesses and nonprofits to research and generate opportunities to redevelop Kinzua Beach, Kinzua Point Information Center, and the Trails at Jakes Rocks to be a more attractive and marketable destination in Warren County.
“The objective of this effort is to understand the type and scale of activities that KRMI could pursue to enhance the properties that are a focus of the study and the communities surrounding the Allegheny National Forest,” Project Co-chair Jim Decker said.
The project began in 2021 when the group received a $75,000 Marketing to Attract Tourists grant from the Department of Community and Economic Development to hire a consultant to conduct a market study in the region and develop a strategic development plan based on the results. After a thorough RFP process, the group selected CHM.
“We are very excited about CHM,” Project Co-chair Commissioner Jeff Eggleston said. “You’ll see from their proposal and engagement letter that they have extensive experience working with Federal Agencies and the challenges of finding the suitable types of public/private partnerships to make this type of project happen. They bring the perfect skills and experiences to formulate and guide our planning.”
A group of stakeholders is assembling to gather data, engage in preplanning, and hold a kickoff meeting this week. CHM will conduct market demand analysis and fieldwork in April, May, and June in conjunction with the stakeholders. CHM will complete the market feasibility analysis, investment feasibility analysis, and economic impact analysis in July, August, and September 2022.
“We are looking for opportunities that support and enhance our existing regional businesses and communities while expanding the positive economic contribution outdoor recreation-based development activities can make to our regional economy,” Decker said.
CHM and KRMI will complete the project by the end of summer 2022. KRMI will utilize the market study and strategic planning to build public-private partnerships and bring additional investment to the Kinzua region to redevelop it positively and responsibly.
