Recommendations / Tourism / Big Idea # 3: Escape to Troup

Big Idea # 3: Escape to Troup

Part of the "MILLENNIAL MINDS" initiative

TourismLagrange/Troup $250,000–$500,000

Overview

Position Hogansville, Georgia as the number one “millennial retreat” space in Georgia by using the Lake Jimmy Jackson recreation area, which is currently pre-development, to host an all-inclusive young-to-middle-aged adult lake and forest retreat center. The initiative recommends recruiting a millennial-focused retreat company, such as Camp Bonfire or Camp No Counselors, to facilitate a camp experience in Hogansville.

Action plan

Short-term
Internally create or hire a consultant to compile an effective business recruitment plan for a third-party facilitator; identify available land at Lake Jimmy Jackson; contact Camp No Counselors and Camp Bonfire to begin due diligence about a Hogansville location.
Medium-term
Contact potential investors; recruit vendors and developers for hotel/lodge, restaurants, yoga, and spa retreat programming.
Long-term
Continue building a strong community base by partnering with local festivals, Downtown Development Authority, and local government to further develop Hogansville’s economy.

Expected impact

Community GrowthInfrastructure

Tracks whether Hogansville benefits from more growth in the community connected to the retreat.

Timeframe: Long-term
Investment AppealEconomic

Tracks whether the retreat adds to the appeal of investing in Hogansville.

Timeframe: Long-term
Retreat Operator RecruitmentEconomic

Tracks whether a millennial-focused retreat company is recruited to facilitate a camp experience in Hogansville.

Timeframe: Short-term
All-Inclusive Retreat AmenitiesCommunity

Tracks inclusion of amenities such as food and drink packages, hot tubs, yoga, meditation, spa treatments, healthy dining, and lodging.

Retreat DevelopmentCommunity

Tracks whether a retreat is developed in Hogansville.

Timeframe: Long-term
Land IdentificationEducational

Tracks whether land at Lake Jimmy Jackson is identified and made available for the retreat.

Timeframe: Short-term
Reservations BookedEconomic

Tracks the number of reservations booked for the retreat.

Timeframe: Long-term
Vendor and Developer RecruitmentEducational

Tracks recruitment of vendors and developers for hotel/lodge, restaurants, yoga, and spa retreat programming.

Millennial Tourism GrowthEconomic

Tracks whether the retreat attracts more millennial visitors to Hogansville.

Timeframe: Long-term
Local Economy DevelopmentEducational

Tracks whether partnerships with local festivals, Downtown Development Authority, and local government help further develop Hogansville’s economy.

Timeframe: Long-term

Key stakeholders

Troup CountyHogansville City CouncilTroup County Chamber of CommerceHogansville Development AuthorityHogansville Downtown Development AuthorityCamp BonfireCamp No CounselorsPotential InvestorsVendors and DevelopersLocal FestivalsConsultant

Estimated budget

Total Budget: $250,000. Estimated Land Cost: $250,000. Land cost is dependent on acreage needed.