Determine the strengths and weaknesses of building economic stability through tourism asset development opportunities constructed directly on mark twain lake

The County of Ralls, Missouri was awarded a $100,000 project grant from the Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration under the Economic Development Technical Assistance federal grant program (CFDA 11.303) to conduct an economic feasibility study and community outreach from October 1, 2021 to December 31, 2022.

The study will analyze market demand, competition, and identify opportunities to increase economic resiliency and stability in the region surrounding Mark Twain Lake through potential tourism asset development. The County will engage the community and present findings. Local economic developers will then utilize the information to develop a comprehensive marketing campaign for Mark Twain Lake working with existing businesses, residents, officials, and non-profits dependent on tourism's economic impact. The grant supports assessing strengths and weaknesses of building stability through lake-based development opportunities.

Purpose

The purpose of this project is to determine the strengths and weaknesses of building economic stability through tourism asset development opportunities constructed directly on mark twain lake.

Activities

The county will perform an economic feasibility study including a market demand analysis, competitive analysis. The project will also include community engagement and findings presentations.

Expected outcomes

Ralls county commissioners feel strongly the feasibility study will identify an opportunity to increase economic resiliency and stability in the area surrounding the lake. The economic developers in the region are poised to utilize the information obtained from the feasibility study to develop a mark twain lake comprehensive marking campaign, working closely with existing business owners, residents, elected officials and non-profit organizations in the region. Businesses around the lake are dependent on tourism and the economic impact IT has for T