From Henderson County Tourism Development Authority:
The Hendersonville Welcome Center/Henderson County Tourism Development Authority Administrative Building reopens Aug. 27 following a $1.9 million renovation.The milestone is cause for celebration not only for visitors, but locals as well. Fully upgraded and remodeled, the facility becomes an interactive showplace of all there is to see and do in Henderson County. It will also serve as Hendersonville’s official trailhead for the Ecusta Trail when the first segment of that much-anticipated rail trail project debuts in December.Everyone is invited to the center’s grand reopening and open house on Aug. 27 from 2-5 p.m.“The space has been designed to serve people in whatever manner they like to receive info,” says Michelle Owens, executive director of the Henderson County TDA. “For techies, we have QR codes, an interactive touch screen trip planner and a social media wall showing visitor experiences in real time. For those who prefer old school, we have visitor guides, trail maps and rack cards of lodging and attractions. Of course, guests can rest assured that knowledgeable and friendly staffers and volunteers are always on hand to answer questions and supply pertinent information.”Upon entering, the building’s transformation is felt immediately with vaulted ceilings and a video wall showcasing outdoor activities. The open floor plan has stations and exhibits highlighting agritourism, arts, family activities, outdoor adventure, Crest of the Blue Ridge wine country and a variety of trails, including the Hendersonville Ice Cream Trail and the Hendersonville Cheers! Trail.A particular point of emphasis is the touch screen trip planner. Its large display screen mirrors the Visit Hendersonville website and allows people to explore the county, build an itinerary and text it to their cell phones.As local tourism continues to increase, Owens points to three reasons for investing in the Welcome Center, located at 201 South Main Street in Hendersonville. First, the need for a larger, more immersive space to educate visitors and locals on the many attractions and activities countywide. Second, to create a more efficient and productive work space for the TDA staff. And, third, to fit in with renovations taking place on South Main Street to connect the downtown district with the Ecusta Trail.“We want to be a pivot point for both Main Street and the Ecusta Trail to bring them together in a seamless way,” Owens says. “The arrival of the Ecusta Trail will take our operations to a new level.”Contractors for the project were Cooper Construction of Hendersonville. Architects were Clark Nexsen of Asheville, and the interior experience was designed by Knight Strategies of Lake Lure. All funding for the project came from occupancy taxes paid by overnight visitors to Henderson County. No local tax dollars were involved.“A big thank you goes to the TDA board for supporting this initiative and to the TDA staff and volunteers for their dedication and patience as we have gone through this process,” Owens says.
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