Hart County leaders highlight economic impact of tourism

HART COUNTY, KY.- Tourism leaders in Hart County say continued investment in local attractions is helping draw visitors to south-central Kentucky and boost the region’s economy.

Over the years, tourism organizations have secured grants to support attractions such as Kentucky Down Under Adventure Zoo, Hidden River Cave and other destinations throughout the area.

More recently, tourism leaders partnered with neighboring communities through the “Gateways to the Green” initiative, a project supported by funding from the American Rescue Plan Act. The initiative includes partnerships among Horse Cave, Hart County, Edmonson County and other regional organizations.

Sandra Wilson, executive director of Horse Cave-Hart County Tourism, said the grant program encouraged tourism groups to work together on projects that could have a broader regional impact.

“The American Rescue Plan Act funding was offered to tourism organizations across the state,” Wilson said. “There was a matching component involved, and we were encouraged to create partnerships and develop new projects.”

Wilson said local tourism commissions were required to provide a 10% match for the funding, helping support projects designed to attract visitors and strengthen the local economy.

She noted Hart County is uniquely positioned to benefit from tourism because of its proximity to major travel corridors and natural attractions.

“We’re blessed,” Wilson said. “We have Mammoth Cave National Park, rivers, caves and countless outdoor recreation opportunities. Following COVID-19, outdoor activities became even more popular, and once people discovered our area, many of them continued coming back.”

Tourism leaders say visitors can explore a variety of attractions throughout the region, including certified trail towns, outdoor recreation areas and historic destinations.

More information can be found on there website.