Small business owners, entrepreneurs, outdoor and sportsmen’s groups and other community leaders and residents interested in learning more about the Pennsylvania Wilds initiative or tourism development in the region now have a new online resource.
The Web site, called the PA Wilds Resource Center, is designed to help foster economic growth in the region and to help residents stay informed about the opportunities and successes of the PA Wilds initiative.
Some of the site’s main features include a database of what loans, grants and technical assistance programs are available to small tourism-related businesses in each county of the PA Wilds; maps and other information explaining the Commonwealth’s investment in the region; and information on PA Wilds programs, such as the Design Guide, Artisan Trail, logo use, upcoming presentations and more.
The Web site was developed by Ta Brant, PA Wilds Small Business Ombudsman, and designed by Piper Lindell, a small business owner and part-time web designer from the Pennsylvania Wilds region.
“Right now we’re seeing dozens of unique visitors to the site each day,” Brant said. “The feedback from service providers, PA Wilds partners, the business community and residents has been very positive.”
The site was designed to be compatible with Internet Explorer, Safari and Mozilla Firefox browsers and was also built to accommodate the reality that some areas of the PA Wilds are still using dial-up Internet For example, users have the option to shut off images as well as to view information in PDF format.
Brant encouraged people who are thinking about starting or growing a tourism-related business in the region to check out the site to learn about the resources available in their area. Those who do not have Internet can contact her directly at 814-757-9190.
A “Community Assistance” section of the Web site will be phased in by April and will include resources available to communities to promote smart, sustainable tourism growth. It will also highlight community projects going on around the PA Wilds.