Eric Woolridge, Aicp Email & Phone Number

Boone, North Carolina

Destination by Design is a land planning and promotions firm that works throughout the US. We assist community organizations and government agencies that recognize quality of life as a major component of their economic development strategy. We help develop new "product," such as vibrant downtowns, increased recreation offerings, expanded conservation areas, and greenways. Our communications team is comprised of experts in place-branding, video, web, and destination marketing. We are a diverse team of planning and creative professionals specializing in land planning, infrastructure development, and destination marketing. We partner with communities to create both inspiring built-environments and a compelling message.

Developed the Boone Area Outdoor Recreation Plan outlining a breadth of destination-quality recreation facilities for the High Country region of North Carolina. In four years, leveraged local occupancy taxes to secure grant funds to develop Rocky Knob Mountain Bike Park, multiple greenway trails, river access areas, and trail improvements on National Park Service lands.

Served as lead staff dedicated to long-range planning. Responsible for planning process design, group facilitation, mapping, and plan writing. Authored multiple neighborhood plans and a county-wide comprehensive land development plan.In response to this work, and years of citizen collaboration, elected officials adopted two rural Conservation Overlay Districts to require open space and conservation subdivision design. Helped implement multiple greenway and park projects, including the Johns River and Yadkin River Greenways. Found broad support for these projects, securing grant awards from a variety of state and federal resources, including the NC Clean Water Management Trust Fund, Conservation Fund, Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail, NC Rural Center, Recreation Trails Program, Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF), and NCDOT.Served on the Board of Directors for numerous local and regional organizations, including Caldwell County Pathways, Inc., the Unifour Recreation and Open Space Taskforce, and the Yadkin Valley Heritage Corridor Partnership.

Provided GIS and mapping services for other nonprofits and government agencies.

Masters, Public Administration

Interests: Place-based Economic Development, Smart Growth/Land Use Planning, Government/Citizen Collaboration.

Bs, Community And Regional Planning

GIS; Land Use Planning

Strategic Planning And Group Facilitation Methods