The Scenic Rivers Development Alliance, now about a year old, is branching out, according to its director Joseph Parker.
Parker, also head of McComb’s Department of Recreation, spoke to the McComb Rotary Club Wednesday about the regional organization, designed to promote the natural and economic assets of the area.
“Brand the name and branch out are essential steps in such an organization,” Parker said, and he thinks the name has been branded.
As for branching out, Parker said Wilkinson County recently joined Pike, Amite and Franklin counties, along with the City of McComb, in supporting Scenic Rivers. Adams and Claiborne counties have expressed an interest in joining, he added.
The alliance also has support from private sources.
Parker showed part of a television series to be aired on the local cable channel, as well as in Louisiana, promoting many of the recreational opportunities in this area, including archery, bird watching, golfing, biking, hunting and fishing.
Answering a question about the McComb Sports Park, Parker said a fourth ball field has been completed, and McComb is drawing softball tournaments with up to 60 teams participating next year.
He said the tournaments are getting so large, he’s having to call on local school systems to help provide fields.
Visitors to McComb, numbering in the thousands, are using local motels and restaurants as a result of the tournaments, he said.
