Why the Plan?

So why pick Pipestem, WV as the tourist corridor?

Pipestem is a small community that is located in an area of unrivaled natural beauty, much undeveloped land, and near several major interstates and highways. The community is situated nearly halfway between two entry points on major interstates (I-77 and I-64) which carry a large amount of yearly traffic. Pipestem State Park is a 4,050-acre park opened in 1967 and is managed by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. A large lake, Bluestone Lake is located near the community. And Rt. 20 runs parallel to the Bluestone National Scenic River.

The route entering and exiting Pipestem (Rt. 20) is a developed roadway that can be easily expanded as the tourist hub grows. There is also much-undeveloped pasture land and mountain land that can be developed for amusement parks, outlet malls, structures for entertainment, restaurants, parking lots, rental cabins, etc.

Southern West Virginia is a region that has been economically depressed for several decades. Coal production is the main economy for much of the region, however the eastern part of the region, while mountainous, does not have its economy built on coal production. This could be an asset in terms of building a regional economy based on tourism.