Tourism- Where are we?

The idea has been introduced- TOURISM -as the economic savior for Bibb County.

Why?>
Approximately 1/4 of the county's land mass is held in public lands, The Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge and The Talladega National Forest, Oakmulgee Division encompassing most of that.
Tourism is a Clean Industry
It does not require large amounts of capital
Attributes that attract tourists attract retirees who are economic contributors
Tourism is supported by numerous small businesses
Tourism attracts other industries
Tourism encourages entrepreneurial activity
Quality outdoor recreation amenities increase property values

What is the Plan?> ORGANIZE-- FOCUS --PLAN-- DO
Create a Tourism and Outdoor Recreation Plan with organizations in Bibb County- done! 25 organizations
Increase communication between existing organizations
Identify joint projects across the county
Get commitment and involvement of elected officials
Strengthen ties to org's outside Bibb County
Adopt projects and enhance and improve tourism amenities
Increase legibility with maps, brochures, signage, website

Where are we?> The DO phase
"These are critical years for small business/private business ownership." - Nisa Miranda, Director University of Alabama Center for Economic Development
Now is the time to look at small business opportunities
IT's time to go out and tell 10 people about tourism and what is going on in Bibb County
IT's time to take it to the next level and each of the 25 organizations to adopt and further an aspect of the plan
Get articles in the Paper on our progress: cleanups, plans, and major national events are being held in Bibb County
The Coke Ovens Park is one of the first low-hanging fruits to fix up and it is moving, see other blog entries!

Many thanks to Ms. Nisa Miranda, without whom, none of this would be possible- and the source of most of the verbage above. We love you Nisa! Thank you!

BIG Tourism Meeting - This Thursday Night!!!!

Woodstock City Hall- 7:00, 2nd Public Tourism Meeting for Bibb County

IMRivers Beta GIS Project

River Network is doing a pilot project in Alabama highlighting a new technology that combines online mapping with localized spatial information. The Cahaba River Society is currently one of three organizations chosen to have one of these beta sites, and we expect 10 or so organizations to be selected. We are using our site to display information such as Canoe put ins and take outs, amenities, water quality data, etc. Please take a look at the site -- still under construction at:
www.imrivers.com/cahaba
We are looking for suggestions and your input. Please comment if you check it out! Thanks, LIZ

Upcoming Events!

We are having our big Ecotourism meeting at Brent City Hall 7:00 Thursday night, with Nisa Miranda as speaker and mastermind of our plan. :)
The same meeting will also be held on the 19th at Woodstock City Hall at 7:00 pm

April 21st is our very first Renew Our Rivers Cleanup at the Refuge, 8:00 am, organized by Friends of the Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge, a newly formed group whose mission is to support the Cahaba Refuge and build amenities there.

May 19th is the Cahaba River Ramble- a 5K and 10K trail race and fun day at the Refuge, put on by Cahaba River Society in honor of the late Shane Hulsey, our education director to benefit the CLEAN program, our educational program that gets kids out on the river.

May 26th is the Lily Festival- The West Blocton Improvement Committee's 19th year running, I believe! A morning of speakers and a great homemade lunch, then it's off to the Refuge to see the lilies!

June 29th is the opening of the Smithsonian exhibit, Between Fences, in West Blocton. This is being held in conjunction with the Fish Fry on Friday (attended by over 1,000 people!) and the Old Timers Ballgame with Lima bean lunch on Saturday.

Pictures from the Clean Up

View our Pictures from the Clean Up! Click the picture below!

Coke Ovens Cleanup

COKE OVENS CLEANUP a HUGE Success!!!!

Coke Ovens Cleanup, A Huge Success!

Truman Aldrich founded Blocton and West Blocton and organized the Cahaba Coal Mining Company on the promise of fortune from the coal and coke to be made from the Cahaba Coal Seams. These materials then fed the steel and iron industry in Birmingham, Tannehill, Brierfield, and the surrounding areas. West Blocton’s "Beehive Coke Ovens” were built in the 1880s and 90s as the rich seams of coal were discovered, turning out blocks of coal that weighed over a ton a piece. The Blocton Coke Ovens-were and remain as four batteries (banks) of 467 coke ovens that at one time produced over 600 tons of Coke a day.

On Saturday, March 10, 2007 a group of fifty plus people worked into the afternoon cleaning our Coke Ovens Park, opening up the walking trail and a large section of the ovens, and clearing brush off the hillsides, so that we can enjoy the park and spend time in it. A Big, Big Thanks to all our workers, including Mayor Jabo Reese,Water Superintendent Jerry Fondren, two city councilmen, Commissioner Al Green, two representatives from the Office of Surface Mining, a work crew from the Town of West Blocton, eight students with the Upward Bound Program at the University of Montevallo, the local Tombigbee RC&D director, the Archaeologist for Tannehill, Biologist from Cahaba River Society, Cahaba River Authority Chairman, Walter Sansing, Friends of the Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge, the Coke Ovens Committee, two ministers, Centreville Historical Preservation Commission, Better Hometown Group, West Blocton Improvement Committee, Bibb County Citizens for Wildflowers, and the miners! Another Big, Big Thanks to our sponsors: Food Center, Food Outlet, The Country Store, Seaman’s Timber, The Cahaba River Authority and The Town of West Blocton!

The park is a heritage park, to reflect on our coal mining history. It is a community center for the Town of West Blocton and neighboring communities. It is an integral part of the Cahaba regional tourism plan, serving as the Northern gateway to the Lower Cahaba Basin and a place for tourists and sightseers to land. Starting in 2007, our Coke Ovens park will now be available for special events and will be opened for Lily Day, The Cahaba River Ramble, and the June Smithsonian exhibit’s opening- Between Fences.

Please join us for our next Coke Ovens Committee Planning Meeting, March 29th at 6:30, at the West Blocton Municipal Building/Library, as we plan what the future will hold for our park.

For more information, contact Elizabeth Salter, your OSM/Americorps/VISTA, at 205-566-2479

Coke Ovens Cleanup this Saturday!!

March 10th- 9:00



At the Ovens- Hwy 24 Just East of West Blocton

Bring your clippers/gloves/etc.

Refreshments Provided


West Blocton's "Beehive Coke Ovens" were built in the 1880's as rich seams of coal were found in the area. Truman Aldrich, the founder of Blocton and the Town of West Blocton, organized the Cahaba Coal Mining Company in 1883 and built the Blocton Coke Ovens- four batteries of 467 coke ovens that produced 600 tons of Coke a day!

On Saturday, March 10, 2007 we are cleaning up our Coke Ovens Park, to make it a place that we can enjoy, spend time in, and open up for the community and our guests.

The park will be a heritage park to reflect on our coal mining history, a cultural center for the Town of West Blocton, and a key component of the regional Cahaba tourism plan.

Please come join us on Saturday, March 10, 2007 at 9:00 as we fight privet, build signs, place signs, re-mark the walking trail, and generally clean up our Coke Ovens.

For more information, contact Elizabeth at 205-566-2479