Saltville, a small town in Virginia, is making strides in its efforts to boost local tourism through the development of a new campground.
Initially met with excitement and pride, the plans for the campground were delayed due to bureaucratic holdups, leading to three years of frustration.
However, the town’s persistence is finally paying off, and the first physical step to redeveloping the property has been taken.
In 2017, Saltville residents and leaders envisioned possibilities for the old town shop site, with ideas ranging from a campground and visitor welcome center to an RV park and a nature center.
The removal of a 10,000-gallon tank from the ground on the land near the well fields marked the first significant step towards realizing these plans. The town manager, Brian Martin, described the process of waiting and reaching this point as “frustrating beyond measure.”
The redevelopment of the site, once owned by the Olin Corporation and later used as the town maintenance shop, relies heavily on state and federal grants.
In 2017, Saltville received $50,000 from the Community Design Assistance Center at Virginia Tech and another $50,000 to study cleaning up the site believed to be contaminated by leaks into the soil and then reclaiming it for economic development and tourism.
The final proposal from the VT design center featured traditional and unique styles of camping, using tents, yurts, teepees, cabins, and recreational vehicles.
It also included picnic shelters, community fire pits, a rock climbing wall, a splash pad, a playground, a site for Civil War reenactments, golf cart paths, an archery range, a high-ropes course, trails, and amenities buildings.
The town faced several hurdles in securing funding for the project. After a series of transfers and grant applications, Saltville was tentatively approved to receive a $300,000 grant for the cleanup in late 2022.
The work began in late May with the removal of the tank and the completion of soil samples. The next step is to remove old road salt equipment and transition it to the new town shop.
Despite the delays, the town manager believes that the campground “will be a shot in the arm for Saltville.”
He contends that the well fields, the only inland saline marshes in Virginia, hiking trails, nearby fishing areas, the Museum of the Middle Appalachians, and other programs can bolster the town’s economy through tourism. However, at the moment, there’s “not a single place to spend the night in Saltville.”
To help remedy that lodging challenge, town officials are beginning to explore routes to fund development of the campground and have put aside some federal pandemic relief funds to serve as a match to potential grants.
The town’s efforts to develop the campground industry are a testament to its commitment to boosting local tourism and providing visitors with a unique and enjoyable experience.
Saltville’s journey to develop a new campground has been marked by excitement, frustration, and persistence.
Despite the challenges, the town’s commitment to boosting its tourism industry and providing visitors with a unique experience remains unwavering. The development of the campground is a significant step towards achieving this goal, and it is a testament to the town’s resilience and determination.