Wamp Reaffirms Exit 20 Support
August 22, 2007

U.S. Congressman Zach Wamp reaffirmed his support for rebuilding Exit 20 in Cleveland and marketing it as the gateway to the Cherokee National Forest.

He told local political and business leaders it might be possible to make a correction to the highway transportation bill and designate a portion of the gas tax to fund rebuilding the intersection and making it available for development.

“It would have been easier when we were in the majority, but it doesn’t mean we can’t do it,” he said. “If that is going to be the gateway to the Ocoee region, you’ve got to fix that bridge first.”

He said the Cherokee National Forest supervisor will seek a three to five-year lease extension on the present location on North Ocoee Street.

“I told (Polk County Executive Mike) Stinnett this morning I think the headquarters ought to be at Exit 20,” he said. “If you go to another part of the country that has this type of natural draw, the visitor center, forest service office or park service office is at the gate so you don’t miss anybody and it is all one. You do it in mountain stone and it looks like the Ocoee Whitewater Center and it draws people into it.”

But, he said step one is to do whatever we can do with Exit 20.