Cumberland Plateau Outdoor Recreation Economy and Breaks Interstate Park Strategic Plan

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SE Group partnered with the Cumberland Plateau Planning District Commission and Breaks Interstate Park Commission to strengthen the outdoor recreation economy across four counties in Southwest Virginia and to guide strategic improvements at Breaks Interstate Park, a nationally significant regional destination. The work focused on helping communities transition from extractive industries toward recreation-based development, identifying ways to attract visitors, and supporting local entrepreneurship. The project delivered a regional plan, site-level assessments, and implementation-ready tools to grow outdoor recreation as a sustainable economic driver.

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The Cumberland Plateau region sits at the heart of Central Appalachia, where generations of communities built around coal and natural resource industries are redefining their futures. With unparalleled outdoor assets, from forested ridgelines to deep river gorges, the area has the potential to attract new investment through recreation and tourism. This project helps local governments and small businesses harness that potential while celebrating the region’s cultural and natural heritage.

The Challenge

Many communities in the region faced limited funding, infrastructure gaps, and workforce transitions as extractive industries declined. Public agencies and businesses sought practical strategies to grow recreation and tourism without losing their small-town character. At Breaks Interstate Park, known as the “Grand Canyon of the South,” declining state appropriations and aging facilities created additional challenges for maintaining high-quality visitor experiences. SE Group’s work addressed both regional and park-specific barriers to help build a resilient recreation economy.

SE Group’s Role

SE Group led a collaborative regional planning process that engaged more than 100 stakeholders, including business owners, land managers, tourism professionals, and local officials. The team identified key opportunities for investment, infrastructure, and programming to support both community and business growth. At Breaks Interstate Park, SE Group provided an updated strategic plan that prioritized visitor experience, staffing, revenue generation, and facility improvements, including the development of new trails, accessible recreation amenities, and a major pedestrian bridge connecting key park areas.

To ensure long-term implementation, SE Group produced three companion guides:

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Deliverables

  • Four-county regional outdoor recreation economy strategy
  • Strategic plan for Breaks Interstate Park
  • Recreation gateway community and business implementation guides
  • Site assessments and design concepts for trail and access improvements
  • Economic, staffing, and revenue analysis to support future funding efforts

The Impact

This work has helped Southwest Virginia communities reposition themselves as emerging recreation destinations, providing actionable guidance to attract investment, support entrepreneurs, and improve visitor infrastructure. At Breaks Interstate Park, the strategic plan has already informed capital improvements and partnership grants that enhance recreation access, expand lodging options, and improve trail connectivity. Together, these efforts strengthen local economies and improve quality of life for residents across the region.

Services Provided

  • Regional outdoor recreation and economic strategy
  • Park and facility strategic planning
  • Community and business guide development
  • Stakeholder and partner engagement
  • Site-level concept design and implementation support

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