Pickett County has been approved an ARC grant to complete a feasibility study for Dale Hollow Lake’s participation in the Bill Dance Signature Lakes Program.
Some $15 million will be invested in fish stocking, habitat, and fisheries management as well as improved access for fishing and boating. Pickett County Executive Stephen Bilbrey:
“What we’re looking for in this study, what they would like to see done is an area at the lake that can park 250 boats at one time, a nice parking area,” Bilbrey said. “Four or five ramps that you can launch from.”
Bilbrey said out of $100,000, the county only has to contribute about $6,500. He said the remaining balance will come from the Appalachian Regional Commission and the Tennessee Department of Tourism.
Bilbrey said being a Bill Dance Signature Lake is more than just getting the name of a famous fisherman attached. He said that Bill Dance wanted to see his signature lakes make improvements in the water, above the water, and its surrounding areas.
“Tourism is our number one industry so the more folks that we can bring into our community,y it’s going to help every business,” Bilbrey said.
Bilbrey said the next step will be to complete the study itself, including issuing requests for proposals to do the study. He said that the county is moving in the right direction when it comes to increasing its tourism industry. Bilbrey said the goal is to make tourism a 12-month industry, rather than just seasonal.
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