Chamber outlines $300,000 rural tourism plan and Snoqualmie Valley Heritage Trail

Snoqualmie — The Chamber of Commerce told the council it secured state and port funding for a multi‑year program to manage tourism sustainably across the Snoqualmie Valley and to develop visitor experiences that spread economic benefits to downtowns and reduce pressure on heavily used trailheads.

The chamber’s executive director (Coughlin) said the Rural Tourism Support (RTS) program includes a $300,000 investment from state tourism and an additional $50,000 from the Port of Seattle. "This is a $300,000 investment that they made into our community," the director said, describing a three‑phase process of foundation work, community engagement and moving into action with a 15‑year vision through 2040.

Christy Lake, executive director of the Snoqualmie Valley Museum, described a Snoqualmie Valley Heritage Trail project that documents more than 100 historic points along the 25‑mile Snoqualmie Valley Trail, produced a website (SnoqualmieValleyMuseum.org/heritage‑trail), and will print and install six trailhead interpretive signs using a $30,000 Port of Seattle grant. Lake said the project will develop an interpretive plan in partnership with the Snoqualmie Tribe and area historical societies.

Coughlin also outlined a ‘Wonder Wisely’ safety and stewardship outreach effort aimed at reducing dangerous interactions with wildlife and risky behavior among visitors, and described how better transit, stewardship education and visitor routing can reduce overload on popular natural sites. She said the RTS process engaged nearly 100 stakeholders across the valley, including land management agencies, the tribe, museums and local cities.

Council members thanked the presenter and encouraged staff to coordinate with the chamber on materials and outreach.