PRENTISS - The plan to link Lake Jeff Davis with the Longleaf Trace is expected to enhance an already growing tourism effort in Jefferson Davis County.

"The Trace is already bringing people here who've never visited before," said Cathy Cloyd, director of the Jefferson Davis Economic Development Association. "With this connection between the trail and the lake I expect our tourism industry to grow."

The 41-mile recreation trail between Hattiesburg and Prentiss opened in 2000.

The proposed 1.25-mile link will connect Longleaf Trace with Lake Jeff Davis County at a site three miles south of here. The lake is located off Mississippi 42.

The 164-acre lake is one of 24 lakes operated by the state Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks and features RV camping, primitive camping, fishing, a nature trail and water skiing.

"The fishing is great and it's a beautiful area to camp," Cloyd said. "The site of the new trail will be a beautiful scenic ride filled with natural vegetation and wildlife."

In addition to the proposed new recreation trail, plans for a museum at Prentiss Institute are also being discussed. The college for African-American students opened in 1907 and closed in the mid-1980s, Cloyd said.

"This is a long-range plan, but it is on our agenda," she said. "We also expect the restoration of our courthouse with its original 1907 stamped into the ceiling in the courtroom will be another draw for visitors."

Cloyd said legislation has been approved for the purchase of the land to build the trail extension and is awaiting the governor's signature.

Bassfield Mayor Buford Blount, who is serving as the point man for project, said the trail extension is expected to cost about $300,000.

"We're looking for grants to help pay for this," Blount said.

If backers find the money, then the Longleaf Trace board would likely oversee maintenance.

"We have not taken any official action, but that's the thinking now," said Lynn Cartlidge, president of the trail board and a member of the Forrest County Board of Supervisors. "Certainly this would be a great addition for the trail."

Carson resident Jeffie Smith, 72, rides the trail south to Bassfield on good days.

"I don't see what that would hurt, linking this to the lake," Smith said. "I'd like to ride over to that lake."

The Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks commission has approved the plan to connect to the lake, said David Berry, state lake supervisor for the commission.

"Our camping picked up after the trail opened and I expect this will increase that even more," Berry said.

Bassfield resident Eddie Hough, who often camps at the lake, said the trail is a great asset to the county.

"I've talked to people as far away as Massachusetts and Arizona who came here strictly to ride that trail, Hough said. "We add to it, they'll be back."

Prentiss Mayor Charlie Dumas said county officials have looked at the possibility of an extension of the trail to the lake since the trail opened.

"It's a short distance from the lake to the trail as the crow flies," Dumas said. "But now it's more than two miles down a country back road that's curvy and not safe for bicycling."

Dumas said the closure of the Longleaf Trace for nearly three months decreased the number of out-of-town visitors to the city.

Trail manager Herlon Pierce estimates usage among out of area visitors is down 50 per cent.

"The national attention to our area in the wake of the hurricane has kept people away," Pierce said. "I expect we'll be back to where we were by mid-year."