Feasibility Assessment of Western Grayson Music and Craft Center

In spring of 2023, Grayson County hired the Virginia Tech Center for Economic and Community Engagement (CECE) to perform a feasibility study and proforma business plan for a transformative tourism project in Whitetop and the greater Mount Rogers area: The Western Grayson Music and Craft Museum and Information Center. For this project, CECE conducted meetings with County, local officials, and primary stakeholders to discuss and refine the project approach. The team performed a demand and supply analysis to identify local, regional, and national market drivers for visitors and users of a facility. The team also conducted community visits and input sessions to learn more about the local community engagement and capacity. To supplement this research, CECE identified and examined comparable facilities and programs to assess possible operating models and facility features. The results from all of these sources were compiled and contributed to a SWOT Analysis, as well as recommendations for facility development.