Connecting Communities – June 1, 2025

Cooperatives, like BARC, operate with core principles and values.Concern for Community is the seventh Cooperative Principle and the reason why cooperatives focus on the communities we serve.

BARC members operate and work together with these same values and are shining examples of the cooperative spirit. The growing partnership between Visit Bath and the Bath County Chamber of Commerce shows that working together helps promote economic development, strengthen community identity and boost local businesses.

The shared mission between the Bath County Chamber and tourism is clear: Focus on purpose. “The businesses, organizations and individuals we represent are the backbone of our community,” says Rachel Camacho, executive director at the Chamber. “I don’t take that lightly.” Camacho grew up in Bath County and, from a young age, was active in community events and theater. “Throughout those years, I was given a heightened appreciation for Bath and those who reside in it, but it also provided insight as to what businesses and residents wanted and needed,” Camacho explains. Recently, Visit Bath and the Bath County Chamber moved to a new office space, called The Hub, with hope of becoming a community hub for meetings and collaboration in Bath County. These new offices utilize the internet services of BARC Connects. “Having BARC Connects, and reliable power through BARC Electric creates a space where meetings and day-to-day office operations occur with high-speed internet connections and access for multiple users,” says Mark Shore, president and CEO of Visit Bath. Shore is no stranger to the value tourism departments provide. He has worked destination marketing for more than 30 years, most recently as the director of tourism marketing for Visit NC, North Carolina’s office of tourism. Shore came to Bath County to help with the launch of Visit Bath as a not-for-profit, under contract with Bath for the purpose of promoting tourism to the area. Visit Bath represents the belief that two separate organizations working together can offer the community better synergy.

On May 1, collaboration and hard work brought together two BARC communities when the fourth Cedar Creek Trailhead opened on the Jackson River Trail, uniting two counties: Bath and Alleghany. Chad Williams, director at the Alleghany County Parks and Recreation, and his team spearheaded the entirety of the Jackson River Trail, beginning in Covington and now extending into Bath County today. “The trail is one of the most visited places by tourists in the Alleghany Highlands,” explains Josh Taylor, executive director at Visit Alleghany Highland. “Virginia Tourism just named it a Top 10 rail-to-trail path in Virginia.” Shore and Williams worked together to provide a safe environment. Partnering with BARC Connects, they oversaw the installation of Wi-Fi at the trailhead, allowing visitors and hikers a place to connect. Cell phone service is not available at the trailhead. According to Shore, the collaboration with BARC Connects provides more than a safety boost for the area. “Visit Bath is also able to collect data regarding who is using the trail and communicate with these guests for feedback and trail updates,” he says.

As the communities served by BARC continue to grow, the integrated efforts of tourism departments and chambers of commerce working with its members will be crucial. “We proudly represent BARC within our chamber, but with all they do for us, it further proves this is a team effort,” says Camacho. BARC CEO Bill Buchanan supports these efforts by serving on the chamber’s board of directors and encouraging time for BARC staff to help in the community. “We’re not just members,” says Buchanan, “we’re building together a stronger, more connected community.”