This book tells how a bold, imaginative investment from a public employee pension fund turned into a world-class tourist attraction that revitalized Alabama's image and economy. This was an "economically targeted investment" designed to diversify returns, create jobs, and increase tax revenue. Thirty-four years later, The Trail is known worldwide for the quality and beauty of its courses and the hospitality and elegance of its resorts. The Trail has significantly increased Alabama's infrastructure for tourism and conventions, provided billions of dollars in new tax revenue, spurred construction of thousands of units of adjacent housing, and helped persuade new businesses to locate to Alabama.
Development of golf courses, hotels, and spas on The Trail; the ancillary residential and commercial development; the unprecedented promotion of Alabama through RSA media companies; and the resulting free publicity has combined as the most significant economic event in Alabama since the development of railroads, electricity, and air transportation. The U.S. Defense Department and NASA, expansion of automotive and aerospace industries, maritime shipping development, and the cultivation of tourism on Alabama beaches have been important developments, but their impact has been concentrated in the areas where the activities were based.
Before this book, the story of The Trail was only documented in newspapers, magazines, television stories, marketing literature, media advertisements, newsletters, and annual reports. This significant component of modern Alabama's economy was doomed to being buried in microfilmed newspaper and magazine articles in public libraries. This book is an illustrated historical account of the financial, legal, political, and economic impact details of this mammoth economic development project. It explains the background research justifying its development as part of an economic development strategy. Information is presented on RSA and its investments. Financial information on the construction of The Trail is included as well as the major parties involved in its development. Information on the economic impact of The Trail is displayed. The unique development process at each site on The Trail is presented which includes a blend of public-private partnerships with participatory planning for local economic development. The chronology at each site on The Trail includes politicians; land donors; construction contractors; agreements; and development phases for the golf complex, hotels, and residential communities. Photos of sites in pre-construction, early-stage construction, and renovations are used to illustrate the development of The Trail.
This book captures The Trail's history for golfers, journalists, developers, historians, politicians, and anyone interested in the business of golf. The first edition of this book was published in 2016 with content that was 10 years old by 2024. This second edition is a significant change in style from the first edition and includes updated information on the last third of The Trail's history (not found in the first edition). The second edition includes updated information on RSA (including their media investments) and The Trail golf courses, hotels, spas, and residential communities for the last 10 years. Updates include golf course renovations, hotel refurbishments, residential expansion, and increased utilization and recognition at The Trail sites. This second edition has an expanded section of photos of The Trail under construction and an expanded history of RSA hotels and commercial buildings. This second edition's more current and succinct economic impact demonstrates The Trail's 34-year impact.