Want to Make Your Business "Trail Oriented"?
Free Consultation: In partnership with City of Hendersonville and Town of Laurel Park staff, the Henderson County Planning Department is offering business and property owners free consultations regarding how to make their property "trail oriented". Each jurisdiction has different zoning regulations, so staff from the appropriate jurisdiction will be available to ensure a property owner's ideas are possible within the confines of the applicable code. Trained staff will work with property owners to view the parcel with a different lens and envision various possibilities to attempt. To begin brainstorming, check out this list of potential activities that could be done to make your business trail oriented. Staff will also assist property owners through the encroachment application process if that is a route they wish to pursue.
Attend an Ecusta Trail Business Meeting: Henderson County hosts meetings for businesses along the trail and within the direct vicinty. These meetings are an opportunity to meet your neighbors as well as learn about opportunities for using the trail to benefit your business. Places of worship, doctors' offices, personal services, etc. are all welcome to attend and participate in the discussions about how the trail impacts their property. Residential properties that are not a business are not included at this time. If you are a homeowner on the trail and have questions or comments, please contact Henderson County staff at 697-4819.
Free Digital Map: The County is working with Blue Ridge Bicycle Club to create maps for businesses that show the safest routes for trail users to get to the trail from the business and vice versa. Businesses can distribute these maps on their websites, social media, or print and distribute them.
Become a Trail Partner: The best way to signify to trail users that you support the Ecusta Trail and are a trail oriented business is to become a Trail Partner. This program is for businesses adjacent to the trail that are willing to offer trail users the use of an amenity like parking, water stations, bathrooms, or bike fix-it stations in exchange for free marketing on the official Ecusta Trail website and the use of the official trail logo as a window decal. The structure of this program is still evolving and is heavily influenced by the Ecusta Trail business community. Any input from the business community is appreciated. Please contact Janna Bianculli, Senior Planner at jbianculli@hendersoncountync.gov to learn more or to give comments.
Click here to learn more about the trail business program on the Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Trail and the ways those businesses attract trail users. Have you visited a trail and witnessed an effective trail business model that you think the County should know about? Drop us a line!
