
SCVB Announces New Tourism Trail
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 4, 2015
Contact: Heidi Jeffers, Statesboro Convention Visitors and Bureau
Highway 301 Becomes Georgia Grown Highway 301 Trail
South Georgia is one of the few areas remaining in the United States where there are miles of rural landscape, historic small towns, and abundant agricultural operations. The promotion of agri-tourism represents a readily available and effective tool to spur economic development in many communities.
The new Georgia Grown 301 Highway Trail winds through eight counties with many agri-tourism opportunities. The trail offers miles of family owned farms; and unique lodging; u-pick farms, farm stands, farm murals, and hands-on educational farm experiences; farm to table restaurants and establishments dedicated to preserving and sharing local recipes and traditions; and time honored and progressive crops and farming techniques.
The Georgia Grown Highway 301 Trail is a collaboration of representatives from eight counties in Georgia, extending from the South Carolina line, to the Florida line following Highway 301. The Georgia Grown Highway 301 Trail Association organizers and board members are: Latasha Roberts-Screven County Chamber of Commerce, Heidi Jeffers-Executive Director- Statesboro Convention and Visitors Bureau, Tammi Hall-Executive Director Claxton/Evans County Chamber of Commerce, Linda Griffin-Glennville Chamber of Commerce, Don Melton-Long County Chamber of Commerce ,Frances Yeargan-Wayne County Chamber of Commerce, Richard Thornton-Brantley County Development Authority, and Dawn Malin- Charlton County Chamber and Development Authority.
“Tourists will see that many of the trail’s stops are right here in Statesboro. They can visit the Garden of the Coastal Plain, one of the top 100 award winning farmers markets in Georgia, the unique blend of old and new experiences at Hunter Cattle, the majestic sunsets at the Meinhardt Winery and Vineyard, and so many more. Tourists will see Statesboro is the place to stop and stay a while,” said Heidi Jeffers, Executive Director, Statesboro Convention and Visitors Bureau.
From the beginning, the Georgia Grown Highway 301 Trail organizers developed a philosophy united to create a destination highway that highlights the Georgia Grown products along the corridor. The eight counties have worked over the past year to determine the best way to serve each area. This has produced outstanding results and positive energy. The joint effort from the group removed city and county lines to create one agri-tourism corridor.
Special thanks to our state representatives who serve the eight counties along the trail: Screven, Bulloch, Evans, Tattnall, Long, Wayne, Brantley and Charlton Counties who helped pass the resolution to form this exciting new tourism trail through Georgia.
Trail stops will include approved U-picks, unique farm experiences, vineyards and wineries, breweries, bed-and breakfast, RV parks, historical sites, unique shopping experiences, farmers markets, historical sites, state and federal parks, and locations selling Georgia grown items.