Vision 2020 Update

The NRVPDC staff and citizens from the New River Valley have began updating the region�s strategic plan, Vision 2020.  Vision 2020 is a plan begun in 1994 to develop a course for the future of the New River Valley into the year 2020.  On September 30, 2002, community leaders from across the New River Valley came together to celebrate some of this region�s accomplishments from the past seven years.  Scores of successful projects and programs completed within six vision areas was presented in the form or a slide show to the participants.  Our initial Vision 2020 process was extremely useful and effective in helping citizens of the New River Valley target resources and energy to take steps toward achieving our vision.  It is very timely to update this important plan for future efforts and resource direction to continue the work of reaching our goals and vision for 2020.

The vision areas were modified to create a better representation of where projects and programs are needed for our future: Physical Infrastructure, Human Development, Leadership, Economic Competitiveness, Education and Training, and Natural and Cultural Resources.

Participants from the government, business, and non-profit sectors as well as scores of citizens from the general public participated in �Mapping our Region�s Future� as part of the kick off for the next version of Vision 2020.  Citizens who participated in the Celebration began the brainstorming process in six key vision areas around the question:

  �In this vision area, what are the issues, challenges and 
opportunities facing the New River Valley today?�

The small groups worked to develop strategies within the six vision areas and developed lists of specific ideas and processes with each of the strategies.  The entire group ranked the most crucial strategies by signing their names to those they found most important. 

The kick off celebration and brainstorming event of this round of Vision 2020 laid a wonderful foundation for the development of a new map toward 2020 for the region. 

Five jurisdictional meetings will provide additional details and possibly new categories within the vision areas.  At these meetings, the work from this initial brainstorming process will be displayed for comment, ranking and additions.  Participants at these meetings will be invited to circulate independently and view the work to date.  They may provide comment, add details and/or categories and will be asked to sign up for activities and projects that they would like to help bring to reality in the region.

The community meetings are sure to help shape the path for our future.  Be sure to put these on your calendar to voice your views and ideas for how we can create the brightest and most collaborative future plans for the New River Valley.

Following the jurisdictional meetings, two region-wide meetings will be held to develop specific projects and programs around the highest priority strategies within each of the vision areas.  These meetings will be an opportunity to form coalitions around particular regional strategies/issues/opportunities in the New River Valley and to begin to put together a plan for action within each priority area.

The jurisdictional and region-wide meeting dates are listed below:

Community Input Meetings (all meetings are 5:00 � 8:00 pm):

These meetings are designed in station format with the opportunity for citizens to come and go over the 3-hour period and provide independent input at the level that suits each participant.

October 16, 2002: Giles County, Pearisburg Community Center (King Johnston School)

October 17, 2002: Pulaski County, New River Community College (117 Edwards Hall)

October 28, 2002: Floyd County, Jessie Peterman Memorial Library

October 29, 2002: Montgomery County, Christiansburg Library

October 30, 2002: City of Radford, New Radford Recreation Center

Region-wide meetings (both are 6:00 � 8:00 pm):

These meetings are designed as working sessions to create project and program action plans around priority strategic categories within the vision areas.  The six vision areas will be divided between the two sessions. 

Leadership, Natural and Cultural Resources and Education and Training will be the focus of the November 21 meeting. 

Economic Competitiveness, Physical Infrastructure and Human Development will be the focus of the January 16 meeting.

Groups, organizations and individuals interested in working on these efforts should fully participate in one or both of these meetings.

November 21, 2002: New River Valley Competitiveness Center, Fairlawn.

January 16, 2003: New River Valley Competitiveness Center, Fairlawn - canceled due to inclement weather and has been rescheduled for January 30, 2003.

"Planners Workshop", February 11, 2003:  New River Valley Competitiveness Center, Fairlawn.

For more information, please contact Holly Lesko, NRVPDC, (540) 639-9313, [email protected].

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