Connecting mountains to Main Streets, the Rutherford Bound Tourism Master Plan serves as the ultimate infrastructure investment guide for growing the tourism economy and improving quality of life in Rutherford County, NC.
Rutherford Bound collectively leverages the county’s assets to provide a strategic public investment guide to ultimately increase visitation, help spawn new business, attract industry, and entice a younger workforce to relocate.
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Connecting mountains to Main Streets, the Rutherford Bound Tourism Master Plan serves as the ultimate infrastructure investment guide for growing the tourism economy and improving quality of life in Rutherford County, NC.
Rutherford Bound collectively leverages the county’s assets to provide a strategic public investment guide to ultimately increase visitation, help spawn new business, attract industry, and entice a younger workforce to relocate.
Project Scope
Tourism Infrastructure Master Plan
Client:
Rutherford County Tourism Development Authority
View the Plan Here:
The team at Destination by Design has been a pleasure to work with, they have woven innovative thoughts and ideas into a masterfully comprehensive and cohesive plan for success. They have ensured that we received a quality end-product with high engagement and enthusiasm.
The team at Destination by Design has been a pleasure to work with, they have woven innovative thoughts and ideas into a masterfully comprehensive and cohesive plan for success. They have ensured that we received a quality end-product with high engagement and enthusiasm.
Doug Barrick
Manager, Town of Rutherfordton
A Region United
Rutherford County is comprised of two distinct and compelling tourism regions. West Rutherford County, which is host to hundreds of thousands of annual visitors, is anchored by mature destinations including Lake Lure and Chimney Rock State Park. To the county’s east, the historic Main Streets of Spindale, Rutherfordton, and Forest City look to reimagine their once thriving textile economy, and they’re off to a great start by linking themselves along the new 14-mile Thermal Belt Rail Trail.
Rutherford Bound’s two-year intensive planning and public engagement process marked a turning of the tide; two regions once divided by politics, geography, and economics have now found common ground as they partner to stake their claim in the new economy.
A Region United
Rutherford County is comprised of two distinct and compelling tourism regions. West Rutherford County, which is host to hundreds of thousands of annual visitors, is anchored by mature destinations including Lake Lure and Chimney Rock State Park. To the county’s east, the historic Main Streets of Spindale, Rutherfordton, and Forest City look to reimagine their once thriving textile economy, and they’re off to a great start by linking themselves along the new 14-mile Thermal Belt Rail Trail.
Rutherford Bound’s two-year intensive planning and public engagement process marked a turning of the tide; two regions once divided by politics, geography, and economics have now found common ground as they partner to stake their claim in the new economy.
Promoting Public Engagement through Visual Storytelling
Destination by Design’s in-house video and production team produced a compelling public engagement video featuring industry quality drone footage, custom graphics, and master audio. Watch below:
The Rutherford Bound Vision
A successful planning process not only outlines clear goals and strategies, but it also casts a compelling vision that inspires citizens, local leaders, and grant-making agencies. In classic DbD fashion, our inter-disciplinary team produced numerous photo-renderings and site plans to provide the County with the visual ammunition necessary to achieve their goal.
Spindale Streetscape Concept
Lake Lure Marina Concept
Spindale Adaptive Reuse Concept
Kiwanis Park Conceptual Master Plan
Gray’s River Access Concept
Proposed County-wide Greenway System
