Four Local Businessman Team Up To Create
 Elk Creek Mountain at Todd

Combine 284 acres near the banks of the New River in Todd with four business icons with High Country roots and it’s no wonder Elk Creek Mountain at Todd—a new development—is being referred to as a piece of heaven on earth. The gated mountain community is the vision and passion of CPA Larry Hughes, entrepreneur Kenneth Wilcox and pharmacist turned artist Joe Miller who knew there was only one other person necessary to make their dream a reality—developer and environmentalist Mark Harrill.

The idea of Elk Creek Mountain was born out of Joe Miller’s love of his childhood roots and the land that has inspired many a watercolor masterpiece. Miller’s family grew up in Todd and several members still live there. He has been nationally recognized as a renowned watercolor artist and for his success in building Cheap Joe’s Art Stuff into a global resource for art supplies online.

Having partners that would share the same love of the area and respect of the land as he did was critical to Miller moving forward with the project.

“I have to truly believe in something and be proud of what the end result will be to put my name and reputation on it,” said Miller. “Elk Creek Mountain is in a place where my family lives and I’ve grown up. So, for me, this development has to be one that will enhance the character of Todd or I would not be involved.”

Miller sought out partners he knew would respect the land’s heritage, turning to Kenneth Wilcox, Larry Hughes and Mark Harrill. Wilcox, called by some the “Godfather of Boone” for his philanthropy, community leadership and international nature products operation also brings Todd ties to the venture. His great-grandfather cultivated and sold botanical herbs in Todd in 1875, a business that later grew into Wilcox Drug.

Hughes, born in the mountains like two generations before him, set his roots in nearby Boone where he built the accounting firm, Dixon Hughes PLLC.

Once the three were together, the unanimous consensus was that Harrill would also need to be part of this team to take their vision and make it happen.

“I’ve known Mark and his family since he was a little boy and have literally watched him grow up over the years,” said Miller. “I admire Mark’s business manner and ethics. So when the opportunity presented itself to me with Elk Creek, I knew that I wanted Mark and his development company to be a part of it. Mark’s vision and character are genuine. The possibilities are endless when he is by your side on any endeavor.”

Wilcox and Hughes agreed.

“We knew Mark would be able to take this property and turn it into something we could all be proud to put our name on,” said Wilcox. “This is a property that has lots of personal ties for each of us, so there is a sense of pride in being involved and making sure that every aspect of it is handled in a quality manner.”

“Mark’s track record for developing mountain communities speaks for itself,” added Hughes. “He knows how to bring out the best in the land while protecting and respecting it all at the same time.”

For Harrill, it is  all in a day’s work when you love the land where you’ve built a business.

“Each precious piece of land in the High Country has its own unique characteristics and personality, which should be preserved, respected and enhanced,” said Harrill. “Too many others come into these mountains to exploit and destroy its natural beauty. I consider it my duty and mission to preserve as much of this land as possible, while allowing others to enjoy it in an undisruptive way.”

Every aspect of the development’s natural integrity is being considered. Harrill brought in his team of contract specialists, including an arborist as well as a grading consultant whose “knowledge of the infrastructure of mountain land is second to none,” said Harrill. From the road system to the addition of the pond in the community’s picnic and gathering area, the land’s natural waterfalls and the mature growth of a variety of trees including poplar, oak, pine and other hardwoods are being preserved. A chimney from a 1800s homestead is also being saved and converted into a community fireplace and grill in the picnic area. The community will also feature foot trails for residents and their guests to explore.

“This development is unique because you are not just able to place sites at the foot of the mountain or coming up the mountain. Some of the sites are literally on top of the mountain with every view spectacular,” said Hughes. “This development is not for the masses, but for those select individuals or families that truly want to escape and get away from it all. We are creating refuges that will give homeowners total privacy and the ability to enjoy their property and its innate beauty.”

Wilcox agreed that this development intentionally is not for everyone.

“This is not the development for the country clubber or golfer. This is a development for someone who respects and enjoys being out in nature,” said Wilcox.

For Miller, the exclusivity of the market appeal was an important aspect.

“This is going to be a classy development attracting people we will be proud to call our neighbors,” said Miller. “We believe this development will increase the visibility of Todd, while respecting all of our desires to preserve its small mountain charm. None of us want this area to turn into Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge. We want this to be the type of place that is everyone’s best kept secret for escaping to mountain bliss.”

Elk Creek Mountain is located off of Highway 194 near West Jefferson. The 284-acre gated community will offer 97 homesites ranging in size from two acres to ten acres. Purchasers of homesites will be able to bring their own custom builder into the development to build in conjunction with architectural, community and natural resource covenants determined by the development team to further preserve the value and appeal of each property.

Elevations at the highest points of the property reach 4,620 feet, placing the property higher than any point in the immediate area, offering long-range, undisturbed vista views. For more information, call 1-800-333-7600 or click to www.elkcreekmountain.com.

Article from the October 26th issue of the High Country News

Elk Creek Community Update:  Newsletter 2008