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Redbank Renaissance > Trail Town Trail Town Planning
A program was held on December 15th, 2010, for those interested in participating in trail town planning and trail development. Cathy McCollom gave a very informative presentation and told the assembled group how 6 communities along the Great Allegheny Passage derived $40 million in revenue from the trail during 8 months in 2008. In 3 years time, 57 new businesses and 227 new jobs were created. See the slides of the Dec. 15th presentation. McCollom Trail Town Presentation for New Bethlehem (PDF) For detailed information, view the Trail Town Economic Impact Study (PDF) completed in 2008 for the Progress Fund and the Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau. Note in particular the last few pages of comments by business owners in the towns along the passage and what they did to increase business or start new businesses.
An existing business directory can be found at the Redbank Valley Chamber of Commerce, www.newbethlehemarea.com. Please see a list of area Realtors and other useful information under Business Assistance on our website. The Clarion University Small Business Development Center is a great local resource for business development assistance as well as other listed links. Economic Studies - How can the trail benefit you? Trails build local businesses. “Bicycle tourists, a growing, affluent segment of the tourist market, contribute significantly to local businesses that are well-connected to trails. Along the Virginia Creeper Trail in southwest Virginia, visitors spend $1.59 million annually providing an estimated 27 new full time jobs.” Learn more about “Trails and Economic Development” (PDF) from an August 2007 article that appeared in a publication of the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy and for more information on trails visit www.railstotrails.org.
For more economic impact studies on PA trails, see the studies listed on the DCNR website. A similar study was just released in Feb. 2011 on the nearby Armstrong Rails to Trails to which the Redbank Valley Trail connects. That connection will eventually lead north to Erie and south to Pittsburgh and Washington, D.C. by way of the Great Allegheny Passage. A 2005 report, NCR Trail 2004 User Survey and Economic Impact Analysis (PDF), detailed user responses from 2004 trail users on the right of way of the former Northern Central Railroad (NCR). 2 trails connect at the state line between Freeland, Maryland and New Freedom, Pennsylvania. The Maryland trail, which consists of 20 miles, was opened in 1986. The Pennsylvania trail, which is 21 miles in length, was developed from south to north in phases and officially opened in August 1999.
The Redbank Valley Trail is 51 miles in length. Visitors want to spend more time at longer trails. New Bethlehem’s location allows for day trips in several directions. Eventually, the trail will connect with the Armstrong trail at the Allegheny River, north to Foxburg and Erie. The trail will connect to Pittsburgh and to the South. When a short segment near Pittsburgh is completed this year, it will be possible to ride to Washington, D.C. Those connections will open greater possibilities for outfitters and B&Bs along the way. Similar positive economic results were noted in a study by Michigan State University in a report entitled, “Impacts of the Pere Marquette Rail-Trail on the Economy and Business Community of Midland and Isabella Counties, Michigan.” (PDF) This study also cited the positive impact on housing values along the trail and business recruitment. Trail Association - The Redbank Valley Trail Association was formed in May 2010 to develop and maintain the nonmotorized trail. Volunteers have been busy rolling, grading, cutting brush and repairing drainage, but at the present time the trail is not developed and suitable only for limited hiking, cross country skiing and some limited biking with mountain bikes. There are 27 bridges or stone arches, 18 of which need to be decked and railed. There are 3 tunnels that will need to be made safe for passage. At the present time, bridges and tunnels should not be crossed as they are not safe for passage. Extreme caution should be exercised. Any use would be at your own risk. The trail passes through wilderness areas and encounters with wildlife are possible. 13 miles have been rolled and graded between Hawthorn and Baxter, about 6 of which are contiguous. However, crushed limestone has not yet been installed. For more information on the trail or to join the trail association, visit www.redbankvalleytrails.org.
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Background - Redbank Renaissance began promoting revitalization in New Bethlehem and the Redbank Valley area in 2006. Efforts got underway in 2007 to support the conversion of the Pittsburgh-Shawmutt corridor to trails with official railbanking of the corridor to maintain it for future use should the railroad wish to return. Renaissance worked and solicited support of other organizations to have the corridor included in the Clarion County Greenways plan and to have New Bethlehem included as a model trail town. Both those efforts were successful. The last train went through New Bethlehem in November 2007 and tracks and ties were pulled up thereafter. The railroad stipulated that the corridor is for non-motorized use only. The Allegheny Valley Land Trust was able to purchase the corridor in July 2010 and is assisting local volunteers in the corridor’s development.
Planning – Renaissance applied and was awarded a grant from the PA Wilds for installation of a welcome sign which was installed in May 2010 on Route 66 as you enter the Borough from Clarion. New Bethlehem Borough, with support from Redbank Renaissance and other community groups, was able to obtain a grant later in 2010 from the Northwest Commission Block Grant Program and DCNR for trail town planning. Mackin Engineering Company of Pittsburgh in consultation with Cathy McCollom of McCollom Development Strategies, was selected in late October 2010 and began work in November 2010. Work on the study is scheduled for completion by April 2011. Mackin Engineering was also selected for a Feasibility/Planning Study Grant to New Bethlehem Borough and the Allegheny Valley Land Trust on the trail to run concurrently with the trail town study. New Bethlehem and Redbank Renaissance have invited other communities in the area to participate and model their trail town development on New Bethlehem’s plan to encourage regional development and revitalization. Redbank Renaissance follows the PA Main Street and Trail Town Program organizational style. 
Location - The Redbank Valley trail runs for 42 miles from the Allegheny River to Brookville and also has a spur that runs north to Sligo from Lawsonham. New Bethlehem lies at the midpoint of the trail and is the largest town with a business district between the Allegheny River and Brookville. New Bethlehem is only 65 miles northeast of Pittsburgh. Access to New Bethlehem is easy via Route 28/66 and from I-80’s Clarion exit 64, south 12 miles on Rt. 66 or from I-80’s Brookville Exit 78, 18 miles west on Route 28. When the trail is developed, visitors starting from New Bethlehem will be able to travel in either direction along the very scenic trail which parallels the Red Bank Creek. Kayaking is already popular on the creek with local residents and with visitors with help from Rock Run Adventures (
Needs – There are great business opportunities for existing businesses to expand services to meet the needs of those who will use the trail, as well as new business opportunities. There are a number of vacant properties with good potential. Some of the businesses needed are:
Take a look at the Trail Users Survey Chart which shows the average spending of a recreational trail user on the Pine Creek, Ghost Town and other PA trails and those from other states. The surveys were picked up and returned by users on the trail and in some cases when volunteers intercepted trail users to ask them to complete the survey. The chart shows that most trail users are in the 45 – 65 year old age range and use the trail for health reasons. Local people spend money when on the trail for food and beverages and visitors spend more when lodging is included. The PA Oil Heritage Region Trail system reported $4.3 million in soft goods revenue from the trails based on a study done in 2006. 
In 2004, trail users answered questions such as, “Approximately how much did you spend on overnight accommodations per night?” “After excluding those who stayed with a relative or friend, the average cost per night was $61.09 on the NCR Trail and $70.67 on the Heritage Rail Trail. Prices ranged from $5.00 per night at a campground to $135 per night at a B & B.” The report details answers to many other questions and provides useful insights to the buying habits and interests of trail users. It concludes in part: “The trail has also fostered new business enterprises that have added employment in northern Baltimore County. From the bicycle rental businesses near the Paper Mill Road trailhead and in Monkton to numerous refreshment stands along its length, the trail has ignited an entrepreneurial spirit along its course.” 
