One of the greatest undeveloped resources in Gilmer County is the River Corridor formed by the Cartecay, Ellijay, and Coosawattee Rivers. At the center of every recent successful urban renewal project in the Southeast is the development of the river corridor with a mixture of trails, greenspace areas, and mixed use residential/commercial development. While the Cartecay is currently used as an outdoor recreational asset, the space within Ellijay proper, which could be an incredible resource for the community, is in many cases an eyesore.

This fact is on the minds of several of the citizens or our community. Hardly a day goes by when someone in our shop mentions the unrealized potential of this natural resource “diamond in the rough.” The River Corridor is on the minds of several organized groups as well. The Leadership Gilmer class of 2013 adopted the River Corridor/Greenspace development as their area of emphasis. The Catalyst Group, which began its work last spring, identified the River Corridor/Greenspace development as one of three initiatives worthy of immediate investigation and possible investment. Additionally, a citizen’s group tasked with evaluating community opportunities for the upcoming Comprehensive Plan also identified the River Corridor development as an area worthy of serious consideration.

Data from home buyer surveys support the notion of investing in community greenspace areas as well. In a May, 2013 study by the National Association of Home Builders, trails and greenspace areas were the number one community resource requested by folks looking for a place to build. Sixty percent of those surveyed listed trails and greenspace as desirable amenities in the search for a community in which to build. In a recent study on the Silver Comet trail in west Georgia, economists say that for every one dollar invested in the trail, $4.64 of measurable economic development had already occurred.

Our community is nestled at the heart of the Chattahoochee National Forest and has access to literally hundreds of miles of backcountry trails, but not much in the way of frontcountry trails suitable for families with young children or senior citizens. Strategic investment in the River Corridor and Greenspace Trails has the potential to dramatically improve the quality of life of current residents and potential residential and commercial investors alike.