Meet McDowell boosts tourism to revive McDowell County economy

The McDowell County Convention & Visitors Bureau, branded Meet McDowell, is central to efforts to turn outdoor recreation and cultural heritage into economic activity for Welch, Kimball, Bradshaw and other communities. Operating from an office in historic downtown Welch, the CVB markets the county’s Hatfield & McCoy ATV trail connectors, hiking and fishing opportunities, coalfield history sites and community festivals to bring outside visitors and tourism dollars to the region.

Meet McDowell acts as a trip-planning hub for prospective visitors and as a local promoter for lodging, dining and event partners. The bureau advertises accommodations and restaurants, supports ATV, BBQ and festival organizers, and coordinates promotion aimed at translating trailheads and heritage sites into foot traffic for downtown merchants and small businesses. For smaller towns across McDowell County, those visitor dollars are an important complement to other recovery and revitalization efforts.

Trail-related recreation is a particular focus. The Hatfield & McCoy ATV connectors and other outdoor assets create predictable visitor flows that support weekend lodging stays and event attendance. By packaging those assets with cultural and community events, the CVB helps extend stays and spread spending beyond a single town. That coordination matters for local owners of motels, eateries and outfitters who depend on concentrated visitor arrivals to make seasonal operations viable.

The bureau’s public-facing resources, including its website meetmcdowell.com, serve both resident businesses and out-of-area travelers seeking route planning, lodging listings and event calendars. Having a single, organized point of contact reduces duplication among small towns and helps volunteer event organizers tap regional marketing channels they might not reach on their own. For downtown Welch in particular, the CVB’s presence supports small-business revitalization by funneling attendees into main-street storefronts and festival grounds.

Practical implications for residents and business owners are straightforward. Listing lodging and dining on the CVB’s platforms, aligning hours with event schedules, improving signage to trailheads and coordinating parking and safety plans for peak weekends all increase the chances that visitor activity will benefit local wallets. Events tied to coalfield history and community food traditions have cross-appeal for outdoor tourists and amplify the county’s competitive edge.

Our two cents? If you run a business or plan a community event, connect with Meet McDowell, post your information on meetmcdowell.com and think like a host — tweak hours, stock trail-friendly supplies and add clear signs. Small preparations turn passing riders and festivalgoers into repeat customers.