Tasks


What tasks will a National Heritage Area in the Coeur d'Alene Mining District need to address?

As it happens, we found one already existing NHA in particular -- the National Coal Heritage Area in West Virginia -- that, we thought had done a particularly good job of laying our its array of tasks and obligations as an NHA.

We trust that this NHA will not mind overly much if we borrow from their work.

Under the heading of "Identity, Marketing and Promotions," the National Coal Heritage Area listed the following objectives:
  1. Establish a design vocabulary to govern the design and fabrication of wayfinding and interpretive signs;
  2. Provide clear informational and directional signs from area entry points to visitor attractions and services;
  3. Create a unique and attractive logo for use on all informational and destination signage and printed materials (advertising, marketing, etc.) and a system of color coding that will link the logo with the major interpretive themes (history, culture, technology, etc.) of the area’s attractions;
  4. Develop minimum requirements for commercial and not-for-profit use of NCHA’s logo and brand name;
  5. Develop a brand-name statement that becomes the foundation for the NCHA’s communications strategy;
  6. Create a strategic framework for packaging and product development and for marketing initiatives based on research into changing visitor behavior and interests;
  7. Establish a public relations program and publicity campaign to cultivate support and capitalize on low- and no-cost promotional opportunities;
  8. Forge marketing partnerships with public, private and not-for profit organizations that depend on visitor markets;
  9. Target market niches where initial promotional efforts are likely to have the greatest returns...;
  10. Identify strategies and persons that can help link communities with visitors from appropriate market niches.
In order to create "...an organizational structure that will provide adequate financial, staff and other resources to ensure the National Coal Heritage Area’s ability to implement this plan and maintain long-term viability," the following strategies were listed:
  1. Maintain and strengthen a National Coal Heritage Area "Management Entity" that sets policies and provides guidance to a director and staff who execute policies and programs established by the "Management Entity". The "Management Entity" should be organized to represent communities and interest groups from the project area;
  2. Increase the participation and commitment of local and regional lending institutions, coal mining organizations, the outdoor recreation industry and other groups on the "Management Entity" and appropriate subcommittees;
  3. Develop a fund raising and public relations capacity to build support and strengthen the funding base;
  4. Establish long-term capital, programmatic and organizational priorities;
  5. Create an umbrella group of local organizations to meet semi-annually and advise and contribute to the NCHA.
In order to "develop cooperative partnerships which nurture capable project sponsors and viable grass roots organizations that build human, technical and financial capacity and support plan implementation within the NCHA region.," the following strategies were listed:
  1. Support the organization and development of local project sponsors, public, private and not-for profit groups;
  2. Provide training and technical support in grantsmanship, project development, hospitality services and associated skill areas;
  3. Provide financial support to local groups and organizations for capacity building and project development;
  4. Enter into cooperative agreements with...groups to build support for increasing tourism investments and in developing regional visitor services capacity;
  5. Enter into cooperative agreements with coal organizations (mining, services, transportation, marketing, etc.) in encouraging protection of historic resources; securing access to historic documents and information; funding, development, marketing and promotion;
  6. Develop programs with the National Mine Health and Safety Academy that will promote the NCHA in national and international technology and safety seminars;
  7. Develop model inter-jurisdictional agreements to promote efforts to preserve coal heritage resources that cross municipal and/or county borders;
  8. Encourage the state of West Virginia, National Park Service and the United States Army Corps of Engineers to maintain, improve and expand lakes, rivers within the NCHA;
  9. Involve local governments and organizations, such as the Landmarks Commission, in support of projects and programs.
Still more objectives and lists of strategies are articulated at the National Coal Heritage Area's "Missions, Goals and Strategies" web page.  Our own group may learn from this West Virginia NHA's experinece by reviewing this page.  We may also give ourselves a foretaste of what becoming a National Heritage Area may have in store for us.

Thank you National Coal Heritage Area!