Smalltown Makeover

Horse Cave getting face-lift from reality TV program

By Greg Wells, gwells@bgdailynews.com — 270-783-3276

Saturday, April 02, 2005

HORSE CAVE The current popularity of reality television has spilled onto the streets of Horse Cave, but it wont involve stranding people in the cave. Instead, the premise is saving a faltering city economy.

Smalltown Makeover is a television pilot in production this weekend in the small Hart County community known for the cave in the middle of town, the repertory theater beside the cave and the towns proximity to Mammoth Cave.

Michael Betts, the executive producer of the pilot, said he came to the town first to work with the American Cave Museum, then worked in promotions for Kentucky Downunder.

Through all of that I got to meet a lot of the people in this town and I fell in love with them, Betts said.

Betts, who said he has done more than 150 documentaries and corporate videos, said it occurred to him that he could do a show that would help the people of Horse Cave by revitalizing downtown businesses.

We are going to develop a business plan for every empty building downtown, Betts said. Were not just going to slap some paint on downtown and then leave.

Local leaders view it as a chance to have access to in-depth knowledge on how to grow their town.

Theres a lot of empty space downtown, said Dave Foster, director of the American Cave Museum. Theyll be bringing in a lot of consultants to help us fill those buildings.

Those consultants were gathered around a long table in the back room of Your Place, a downtown restaurant, asking questions and listening to in-depth answers from Mayor Jo Ann Smith and Main Street Manager Sandra Wilson on a rainy Friday afternoon.

Wilson described her fears of the effect a new Wal-Mart in Cave City could have on businesses that have survived in town.

The experts talked about that and whether it is better to attract people to live in the area as a way to get businesses or attract businesses to draw people downtown.

Among those consulting on the makeover are conflict resolution specialist Anita DAmico, Louisville contractor Tim Peters, business technology specialist Jim Rising, and Cactus Moser, the founder and drummer of the country band Highway 101.

Moser isnt sure of his role in the show, saying that things will shake out and hell find his niche. Betts said Moser adds an artistic dimension to the teams creative efforts.

There were some production glitches already, thanks to the downpour Friday. Several shots were planned outside but had to be put off because of all the rain.

But the mayor was still upbeat.

I think Horse Cave will benefit either way, Smith said when asked whether it is the experts plans or the television exposure that will help the town the most.

Smith said she has often sought outside perspective on how to grow the town, and this is another chance to seek such input.

I think Horse Cave could be as big as Gatlinburg, Smith said. A small-town budget limits what can be done, though, and that is the reason I am so thrilled with this opportunity.

She said the town has an international tourism attraction in nearby Mammoth Cave National Park, and the Kentucky Repertory Theater draws tens of thousands of people a year. Kentucky Downunder, just off the interstate at the Horse Cave exit and the Hidden River cave downtown all make the town a prime location for vacationers.

The production plans include taping the show between June and late September this year, Betts said.

Well be shooting 15 hours of footage this weekend for a 22-minute pilot, Betts said. He said two networks want to see the pilot, but declined to name them.

He said that even if a major network doesnt pick up the show, he has connections that could put the show in 60,000 homes.

As the taping proceeded in a local business, the mayor responded to the whispered question, Will the show be more than a pilot? by crossing her fingers and smiling broadly.  Daily News ·813 College St. ·PO Box 90012 ·Bowling Green, KY ·42102 ·270-781-1700