Coalmont Off-Highway Vehicle Park

Established in September 2022 by the City of Coalmont, the Coalmont Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Park transformed rugged Cumberland Plateau terrain into a destination for outdoor recreation enthusiasts from across the region. Designed to accommodate a wide range of off-highway vehicles, the park offers trails of varying difficulty levels and represents a bold municipal investment in recreation-based economic development. As the first municipality in Tennessee to develop and operate an OHV park of this kind, Coalmont entered largely uncharted territory. 

Before the park opened, city leadership recognized that vision alone would not guarantee long-term success. Mayor Tom Meeks understood that to protect the city’s significant investment in land and infrastructure, the project needed sound organizational structure, a viable business plan, and a clear marketing strategy capable of generating sustainable revenue over time. The City turned to the Tennessee Small Business Development Center for guidance at this critical planning stage. 

Beginning in late 2020, the TSBDC Center Director worked closely with Mayor Meeks to conduct a comprehensive needs assessment and establish a strong planning framework. The TSBDC assisted with setting up LivePlan and, through CARES Act funding, assembled a team of professional advisors that included an attorney, a CPA, and a branding expert to support the project’s development. In total, approximately $25,000 in CARES Act funding was leveraged alongside more than 100 hours of TSBDC consulting services to guide the city through planning, structure, and launch. 

The results have been substantial. Since opening in September 2022, the Coalmont OHV Park has experienced strong demand, prompting rapid expansion through the acquisition of an additional 800 acres. As of December 2025, the City of Coalmont is in the process of closing on another 1,000 acres to further expand trail offerings and develop overnight accommodations, including cabins, to enhance the visitor experience. By the end of 2025, the park reported an economic impact exceeding $6 million and annual sales of more than $700,000, underscoring the project’s role as a powerful driver of local economic development and a model for recreation-based growth in rural Tennessee.