May 27, 2012 By Patty Yauger heraldstandard.Com 3 min read

CONNELLSVILLE — In 1992 Connellsville businessman Frederick Hetzel added a postscript to a book that had been penned years earlier about the local coal and coke industry.

In his writing, Hetzel pondered where the region may be headed since the industries had gone.

He proposed to his readers that perhaps the next generation should look to the area’s natural beauty, location and history as its future.

Some 20 years later, much of his advise has been heeded and on Friday, business leaders, tourism experts, trail developers and officials joined at the Yough Country Symposium to plan for the decade ahead.

Hosted by Downtown Connellsville, the City of Connellsville’s “main street” program and the Fayette County Cultural Trust, the day-long event at Yough Park provided the environment for the exchange of ideas and formation of new partnerships.

A key factor in the renewal of the region is the 150 mile trail from Pittsburgh to Cumberland, Maryland and its trail, the 185- mile C & O Canal Towpath that extends to Washington, D.C.

The development of the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) is a valuable asset to to the Laurel Highlands and the six trail towns that it borders, including Connellsville, said Ron Virag, Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau executive director and guest speaker for the event.

“It provides free recreation for people of all ages and fitness levels and offers opportunities to enjoy nature and the great outdoors as well as to experience local history,” he said. “The GAP attracts substantial numbers of visitors from outside our region. Each year visitors from all over the world come to the Laurel Highlands for the primary purpose of riding or hiking the GAP.”

According to statistics, about 750,000 people used the trail last year, with 75,000 passing through Connellsville to their ultimate destination.

Tourism, said Virag, is the state’s second largest industry. Tourism spending in the Laurel Highlands was estimated to be $1.6 billion in 2010, with $596 million spent in Fayette County.

“For the trail towns to continue being the economic drivers in the Laurel Highlands, there must be business expansion, business retention and new business recruitment,” he said. “The more the trail towns have to offer visitors, the longer they’ll stay, the more they’ll spend and the more likely the chances will be that they’ll not only return, but that they’ll tell their friends and associates.”

Success, he added, breeds more success.

Virag challenged attendees to promote their in place assets, such as the historic artifacts held by the Connellsville Historical Society; the unique ArtWorks Connellsville and the numerous pieces of outdoor art throughout the city and along the trail.

Events, too, can be a draw for visitors, he added.

While many amenities are in place, there remains challenges that must be overcome and more unique opportunities to investigate, said Virag.

The roll-on, roll-off bicycle service in Connellsville needs to be established by Amtrak to allow easier travel by those planning to use the GAP and more lodging for those planning to use the city as a base while visiting landmarks or riding the trail.

“Connellsville needs lodging to attract visitors,” he said. “A hotel would be great, but one needs to crawl before walking and to walk before running. Therefore, perhaps a hostel, cabins or some other low-cost lodging would be of interest to trail users.”

The idea of a Jazz Hall of Fame with Connellsville’s-own Harold Betters as its first inductee drew support from those at the meeting.

“Let’s start writing this new and exciting chapter in Connellsville’s history today,” said Virag.