ROCKFORD, Ala. (AP) — Coosa County is a rural area with a population that is forecast to decline in the next decade. But some residents and planners tasked with finding ways to help boost Coosa’s economy say the county has natural assets that it can take advantage of.

Coosa County is just outside of the metro Birmingham area and doesn’t have interstates running through it, the way neighboring counties do.

But Nisa Miranda, director of the University of Alabama’s Center for Economic Development, says Coosa is a naturally beautiful spot with creeks and rivers. Those are resources that some are saying could draw campers and tourists.

The center is working with Auburn University to come up with a plan for the county at the behest of Republican U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer of Hoover.

“I can see the potential one day for people around the lakes (to build) retirement homes,” the congressman told AL.com in a phone interview. “They’re trying to take advantage of the infrastructure, but also the natural beauty of the place; Coosa County is a beautiful county.”

With about 12,000 people, Coosa is looking at a projected population decrease to about 11,000 by 2020, according to the U.S. Census Bureau and UA’s Center for Business and Economic Research.

Palmer, whose office produced a video highlighting the charms of Coosa County earlier this month, met with businesses in the area and is trying to encourage light manufacturing to move to or expand in Rockford, the county seat.

In addition to outdoor sports, horse riding, kayaking, fishing and hunting, Palmer said, the county also presents opportunities for the forestry industry and for Coosa County to become a destination for seniors.