This week U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) hosted execs from Polaris, Kawasaki and Honda on a tour of the Hatfield-McCoy trails to highlight West Virginia’s quickly expanding OHV industry and adventure tourism opportunities. The Hatfield-McCoy trails spans ten trail systems and 900 miles of professionally managed trails throughout Logan, Kanawha, Wyoming, McDowell, Mercer, Wayne, Lincoln, Mingo and Boone counties. For years, Senator Manchin has been advocating for funding to help maintain and grow the trail system and now Hatfield-McCoy created an estimated economic impact of more than $38 million in 2019.
“Monday’s tour and ride was an exciting opportunity to show West Virginia’s expanding adventure tourism industry to manufacturers of off-road vehicles from across the country,” says Senator Manchin. “The beauty of our state attracts tourists from across America to visit Wild and Wonderful West Virginia for the adventure of a lifetime. With our expanding trail systems and a growing number of off-road enthusiasts traveling to our state, there is a great opportunity for manufacturers of these vehicles and their accessories to locate the facilities and jobs they require right here in West Virginia.”
“Monday was a great day riding the Hatfield-McCoy trails and taking in the stunning West Virginia scenery with Sen. Manchin,” notes Steve Menneto, president of Off Road, Polaris. “We discussed the importance of American manufacturing and how the growing outdoor recreation industry supports small businesses and local communities.”
“West Virginia has always been one of the strongest off-highway vehicle markets for Kawasaki and the industry as a whole,” adds Bill Jenkins, Senior VP Sales & Operations of Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. “With a world class trail system in place like Hatfield-McCoy it is easy to see why. But as Senator Manchin showcased today, the state has also developed a business climate that has the ability to make West Virginia a key to future growth of the powersports industry in U.S.”
“Monday’s visit from major OHV manufacturers shows Senator Manchin’s continued commitment to diversifying the economy of Southern West Virginia and his ongoing support for the tourism surrounding the Hatfield McCoy trails and new manufacturing jobs for Southern West Virginia,” concludes Jeffrey Lusk, Executive Director of Regional Recreation Authority.
Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Y010kcWQgw