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STORIES -> Success Stories - Partnerships with Forest Service

With Time, Patience and Seed Money, Wakulla County Redevelopment Projects Continue to Grow

It was more than seven years ago when residents of Wakulla County, Florida suddenly found themselves in unique situation. Located on the Florida coast and surrounded by forest, Wakulla County's economy had long been dependent on the wealth of natural resources that surrounded it - more than 70% of Wakulla County land is retained by State and National Forests, refuge areas and a paper company. But the 1995 Fishing Net Ban and restrictions on timber sales cut deeply into the area's natural-resource-based economy, which has now shrunk to less than 3% of the county's gross product. Ironically, as the economy crumbled, the population skyrocketed: in the last 10 years, the population has grown at a rate of 80%. Residents watched as the available land was systematically transformed into subdivisions for neighboring, more affluent communities, mainly commuters and retirees from Leon County and Tallahassee. Long-time residents of Wakulla County felt their rural lifestyle and bountiful natural resources were slipping away, and they were determined to do something about it.

"Part of the challenge of economic development in the area is the high percentage of public land - this means we have a low tax base," explained Bonnie Holub, Executive Director of the Tourist Development Council. "But this land is also an asset, if we focus on tourism and preserving the beauty around us."

With the help of a series of Forest Service grants that began in 1995, the community pulled together to preserve their many assets and develop a plan for the future that would revitalize their sagging economy.

They formed an action committee, called the Rural Opportunity Board, to inventory the county's many natural and cultural resources. Considered a model of effective partnerships, the board was made up of a diverse group of agencies and community members. After four years of extensive information-gathering and several grants later, the report, titled Amenities-Based Rural Economic Development and Land-Use Plan, was finally complete. Every effort was made to insure the report reflected the wishes of the people - to protect the area's natural resources and rural quality of life. Printed in 1998, the report inventories Wakulla County's natural, cultural, economic and aesthetic resources and recommends opportunities for growth, particularly in tourism.

In just a few years since its completion, the plan has given birth to a wide range of redevelopment projects:

• Acquiring a facility for a visitor center, museum and art center.
• Developing a bike trail along the coast.
• Hiring a team of public relations professionals to tour the area and write promotional materials.
• Printing area maps and brochures for promoting the county.
• Researching alternative economic resources, such as aquaculture, to expand local industry.

Other major milestones:

The Town of Panacea recently received national designation as a waterfront town. Panacea has completed a ormal vision plan to further identify future objectives. The tourism council is working with the town on beautification, making the park more accessible and desirable, and promotions.

Highlighting their unique culture, the town of Sopchoppy now holds an annual Worm-Gruntin' festival. Tourists come to join in the celebration, which includes demonstrations, music and booths displaying local arts and crafts. This traditional way of harvesting earthworms (called worm-gruntin' by locals) is a unique part of Sopchoppy life and a source of income for some families - the worms are sold as fish bait. Permits for harvesting earthworms are given out by the local ranger district.

"Worm gruntin' is an old art, and at the festival they show people how to do it." Holub said. "It involves planting a stake in the ground, then drawing another length of wood or metal across the stake, like a bow on a fiddle, causing the ground to vibrate. The vibrations travel through the ground, bringing the worms to the surface."

However, the current plan for developing a scenic byway is one of the county's most ambitious plans to date, requiring a high level of cooperation and collaboration among communities.

"It's a very exciting project," notes Shanon Harvey, Forest Service Landscape Architect and coordinator of two successful byway grants. "The state designation process is really a community grassroots program. The smaller communities of Wakulla County are hoping this will lead to some effective visioning for developing community plans."

Another goal is to increase tourism. "We're hoping that being designated as a scenic byway at the state and national levels will bring more folks to the communities," Harvey said. " Some small businesses are already cropping up. New outdoor adventure businesses have been established to make the most of the natural resources in the area."

So far, Wakulla County has received two RCA grants for developing the byway,as well as numerous matching funds. The University of Florida is doing a study on scenic byways to determine what the benefits might be to Wakulla County. Due to the community's hard work and enthusiasm, the project recently earned them the RCA Spirit Award.

In that same spirit of collaboration that began with the Rural Opportunity Board, Wakulla County redevelopment projects continue to gather momentum. Now encompassing more communities then ever before, it is inspiring to note that it all began with a small grant, a big dream and a few dedicated people.

For more information contact Bonnie Holub, Executive Director, Tourist Development Council, 850-984-2966, e-mail: bholub@earthlink.net.