Georgia Tourism, a division of the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD), has awarded more than $2,000 in tourism product development grant funding to the City of Douglas to restore the old Southern Railway caboose at Heritage Station Museum. Upon recommendations from the Tourism Team, the caboose will be renovated to focus on Douglas’ train history and provide train enthusiasts a reason to visit Douglas.
“New tourism product is what drives visitation to Douglas and tourism resource team grants help to get these projects off the ground,” said Georgia Henderson, Community Development Director. “We are thrilled to receive this round of funding for accessibility to the caboose so that we can offer visitors a new experience and hopefully attract tourists to Douglas and Coffee County.”
Georgia Tourism offers this grant to communities who participated in the department’s Tourism Product Development Resource Team program. Douglas-Coffee County hosted a tourism team in February 2018. While in Douglas, the Team evaluated the community’s potential for tourism growth and development through innovative and unique experiences based on a community’s local culture and heritage. Renovating the caboose at Heritage Station Museum was recommended by the Team. The recommendations and financial support provided through this funding program is designed to spur tourism development activities at the local level that maintain and create jobs, attract tourists, and enhance the visitor experience.
Renovating the exterior of the caboose is expected to begin in 2020. The exterior phase of the caboose project includes restoration by painting the caboose and building a deck for accessibility. After restoration is completed, the deck will also be available to host a variety of small events.