WHEREAS, filming the majority of Big Stone Gap in The Gap will provide greater opportunity following the film for the region to capitalize on the success and popularity of Adriana's beloved series; and,
WHEREAS, the movie will provide a serious economic impact, not only during the production, but in the afterglow of renewed tourism and interest in our little mountain town, creating new jobs, new opportunities, and new revenues in the Virginia tourism industry worth $16 billion dollars per year; and,
WHEREAS, the spotlight of Big Stone Gap would benefit the region as a whole by feeding new tourism that will consist of Adriana Trigiani's loyal readers and the resulting fans of the movie; and,
WHEREAS, filming Big Stone Gap in The Gap will add to the authenticity of the project and allow Adriana an opportunity to showcase what is important about our people, culture, and heritage; and,
WHEREAS, this "new tourism" would validate the millions of dollars that have been spent in tourism infrastructure, much of which is currently being underutilized; and,
WHEREAS, Delegate Brian Moran has taken up the cause of finding extraordinary means to attract the production to our region, forming a coalition with local leaders, state agencies and government,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE WISE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AS FOLLOWS:
Wise County hereby supports the creation of filming incentives, and in addition special monies needed to aid the Virginia Film Office in negotiations to bring the majority of filming Big Stone Gap to The Gap and presenting a package that is as competitive as possible against other locales.
Wise County Board of Supervisors hereby endorses and commends the efforts of Delegate Brian Moran to secure a specific appropriation to address this unique opportunity.
Wise County hereby commends Senator William Wampler, Senator Phillip Puckett, Delegate Terry Kilgore, Secretary of Commerce and Trade Patrick Gottschalk, and all members of the Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission for their approval of a special $300,000 grant to support this work.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED
Wise County Board of Supervisors hereby endorses an application to the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority in the amount of $500,000 to assist in this goal and to meet the matching requirement of the Tobacco Commission.
Adopted this 11th Day of January, 2007.
WISE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Wise County Board of Supervisor, John Peace, was interviewed by Virginia Public Radio WVTF, Friday, January 12, 2007 about the project. Listen to his interview on your local FM frequency: 90.1 - Abingdon, Bristol & Big Stone Gap
90.9 - St. Paul
90.5- Wise & Coeburn
91.7 - Norton
91.3 - Pound |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 30, 2006 |
Wise County Board of Supervisor member, John Peace, who represents District 3 encompassing Big Stone Gap and East Stone Gap, also serves on the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA). Peace stresses the importance of making this movie in Big Stone Gap because of its potential as an economic development tool. "The tourism dollars will come not only after the filming of the movie, but during the entire filming process.”
Adrianna Trigiani markets Big Stone Gap as the "little town with a big story." Peace explains the lure of the small mountain town. "Once we peak their interest in our town and region with this movie, I think we would have a chance to show the world that we are a little town with a wealth of big stories. There is so much about our area that people don't know. This movie would give us a chance to bring that interest here and put some of that on display."
The book has reached a huge audience; however, the movie would reach another sector of audience. Peace insists, “We need that spotlight to hit directly on our town of Big Stone Gap, Virginia."
Peace also points out that fifty years ago the movie Trail of the Lonesome Pine, written by another famous local author, John Fox Jr., was filmed out west, instead of in its original setting of Big Stone Gap. “You had all these huge stars like Henry Fonda and Fred MacMurray. Big Stone Gap never saw any direct economic impact because the authenticity of our small town wasn't there. Our mountains, our people, our Mutual Pharmacy, those are the things that make Big Stone Gap a bona fide story that entertains audiences.”
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