NRVPDC Newsletter    August - September 2001

• "Philippe Chino, New Executive Director of the NRVEDA" in the Spotlight
• Radford Riverfront Development
• NRVPDC Updates
  • Floyd County Comprehensive Plan 
  • Welfare Reform II:  The Partners for Self-Sufficiency
  • Local Emergency Planning Committee
  • Town of Narrows Comprehensive Plan
  • Pulaski Town Zoning Ordinance
  • The Jacksonville Center
  • Floyd County Feasibility Study
  • Workforce Investment Board
• Incubator Network News
  • New River Valley Competitiveness Center
  • Giles Business Incubator
• NRVPDC Commission Meeting Summaries
  • June 28, 2001
  • July 26, 2001
• New River Access

• NRV Economic Indicators

  • Labor Force
  • New Vehicle Registrations
  • Taxable Sales
• CALENDARS
  • August 2001
  • September 2001
• Transportation News
  • Transportation Enhancement Application Assistance
  • Transportation Advisory Committee Meeting
• New River Roundtable Kickoff Meeting Scheduled for August 14th
• Vision 2020 Newsletter

Philippe Chino, the new Executive Director for the New River Valley Economic Development Alliance (NRVEDA), started June 1^st and is already involved and committed to the work of recruiting new industries for the region. Mr. Chino comes to the Alliance from the Portsmouth, Virginia Department of Economic Development where he served as Deputy Director.

Mr. Chino was born in Paris and grew up in France and Italy where he attended local schools. After graduating from an American high school in Italy in 1970, he came to the United States to attend college and graduated from the University of Colorado with a B.S. in Marketing and International Business.

He has worked for the Portsmouth Department of Economic Development as Deputy Director since 1997, where he has participated in recruiting approximately $140 million worth of new investment and $45 million in existing company expansion in the last four and a half years. Mr. Chino was also lead project manager in working with the Virginia Economic Development Partnership to recruit and finalize negotiations with a Korean company that will invest more than $12 million for a manufacturing facility in Portsmouth.

Prior to working for the City of Portsmouth, Mr. Chino served as Director of Development for Old Dominion University. In addition, he has worked for: the Kellogg Organization, managing several capital fund raising campaigns in the Northeast; the Virginia Department of 

World Trade as export manager for the European market; Eli Lilly International as a marketing manager and sales director in Geneva, Switzerland and Athens, Greece; and the Squibb Corporation in Rome, Italy and at Squibb's U.S. headquarters in Princeton, NJ.

His extensive experiences provide a strong background to help market the New River Valley worldwide to companies who are looking for an available, trainable workforce and lower costs of doing business.

Virginia's New River Valley Economic Development Alliance works to recruit economic development prospects on a regional, national, and international basis for the Counties of Floyd, Giles, Montgomery and Pulaski, and the City of Radford. The Alliance receives funding from both public and private sources to promote the New River Valley. For further information, please contact the Alliance at (540) 674-3636 or www.nrvalliance.org. Main Menu

Radford Riverfront Development

 NRVPDC staff is gathering background data for a Radford Riverfront plan. The goal is to create an integrated Riverfront master plan which will guide land use decisions along the New River and Connelly�s Run. While much public input was gathered during the recent Comprehensive Plan update, NRVPDC staff will also facilitate another meeting to gather input and direction from citizens and the Riverfront Development Committee, appointed by City Council. For further information, contact Lydeana Martin, (540)639-9313, ext. 206. Main Menu

Floyd County Comprehensive Plan

After completing the Community meetings for the Floyd-Floyd County Planning Commission, NRVPDC staff has compiled a draft set of Goals and Strategies. Another community meeting will be held in late summer to share the ideas gathered from all three prior meetings and seek citizen ranking. Staff is also looking into the drying up of springs and the high number of replacement wells required in recent months. For further information, contact Lydeana Martin, (540)639-9313, ext. 206.For further information, contact Lydeana Martin, (540)639-9313, ext. 206. Main Menu

Welfare Reform II: The Partners for Self-Sufficiency

The five Departments of Social Services in the New River Valley, the Voluntary Action Center of the New River Valley, and the New River Community College have formed a partnership in an effort to provide professional attire to welfare clients making the transition from welfare to work. The clothing closet program, called "Attire for Hire", is designed to provide professional wear and other workplace essentials to welfare clients who complete the two-week job readiness program. The Voluntary Action Center will be setting-up "Attire for Hire" weeks at local businesses throughout the region. With everyone�s help and kind donations this program is proving to be a great success! For more information about how your business can become involved or to locate a drop-off site nearest to you, please contact Cheryl Cooley-Newman at (540) 381-2066. Main Menu

The Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) met on June 12 at the Radford Army Ammunitions Plant and participated in a joint tabletop training exercise along with the Alliant-Tech Systems personnel. The Virginia Department of Emergency Management facilitated the exercise. Fire and Rescue squads along with the County Sheriff�s Department and Blacksburg Police Department participated in the training session. A "real-life" training exercise is tentatively scheduled for October at the RAAP. The next regularly scheduled meeting is set for September 11. For further information, contact Shawn Utt, (540)639-9313, ext. 210. Main Menu

Town of Narrows Comprehensive Plan

The Town of Narrows Comprehensive Plan update has been submitted to the Town Council. The next step is to hold a public hearing in order to obtain public comments and suggestions for changes and/or additions. At their regular meeting on July 9, the Town Council voted to have the public hearing on August 13 during the regularly scheduled Council session. Main Menu

Pulaski Town Zoning Ordinance

The Town of Pulaski Planning Commission is continuing to review their zoning ordinance. Recent discussions are focusing on non-conforming uses and lots. Also a committee is developing a revised Zoning Map. For further information, contact Dave Rundgren, (540)639-9313, ext. 212. Main Menu

The Jacksonville Center

Architectural Alternatives is finishing up the preliminary design for the renovation at the Jacksonville Center. Approximately 20 spaces will be provided for artists and artisans in the old agricultural complex. Also, the world premiere opening of the play based on the book, The Man Who Moved A Mountain is scheduled to open at the Jacksonville Center in October. The book, written by Richard C. Davids in 1970, is the story of a minister and the community around Buffalo Mountain which he joined. For further information, contact Lydeana Martin, (540)639-9313, ext. 206. Main Menu

Floyd County Feasibility Study

NRVPDC staff is studying the feasibility of a business incubator and/or multi-tenant facility in Floyd County. The goal of the facility would be to create business opportunity and jobs for the county, as well as provide affordable space to qualified non-profits. As part of the study, NRVPDC staff will assess existing vacant buildings and target possible entrepreneurial categories. For further information, contact Lydeana Martin, (540)639-9313, ext. 206. Main Menu

The New River/Mount Rogers Workforce Investment Board is beginning utilization of the Virginia Workforce Network signage and logos for all Virginia Workforce Centers. The Virginia Workforce Network signage and logos will be utilized throughout Virginia to promote the Virginia Workforce System by reinforcing and strengthening the Virginia Workforce brand identity. While Workforce Investment Boards and One-Stop Centers have different names and are operated by different entities throughout the state, the usage of a single name and logo at all facilities will make it easier for citizens to access services at a variety of locations. This effort should further enhance the effectiveness of the service delivery system. For further information, contact Ronnie Martin, (540) 633-6764, ext. 233. Main Menu

New River Valley Competitiveness Center

PThe Mentor Program:  The Mentor Program, organized by Victor Bongard, was highlighted at the Virginia Business Incubation Association conference in Roanoke on June 12-13.  Victor Bongard is a principal in the law firm Albright and Bongard in Blacksburg.  His presentation outlined the process followed in organizing the mentors for the Competitiveness Center.  The program has successfully retained lawyers, accountants, businessmen, bankers, but there is always need for more experienced leaders to assist the entrepreneurs in the Center.  If you are interested in the mentor program contact Victor Bongard at (540) 552-6200 or Wayne Carpenter, Incubator Manager at (540) 633-6730.

PExpansion Plans: Plans for the 20,000 square foot expansion of the Center continue to move forward. Construction bid advertising is scheduled for August 19, 2001 and bid opening for September 18. Construction should begin by September 28. The new building is expected to be ready for occupancy in September, 2002. Architectural Alternatives of Blacksburg is the architect for the project. They are currently finishing the final plans and specs that are scheduled to be ready for review by July 31. The addition will have three office suites, fifteen individual offices, two large industrial bays, and a meeting room with a food serving area.

PMeeting Rooms Available: Remember, the Center has two meeting rooms available for use by public, private or non-profit groups. The Training Room is suitable for classes or workshops of up to forty people. The Conference Room will hold twenty people and is best suited for presentations with high tech equipment. Call Wayne Carpenter, (540) 633-6730 for details or reservations. Main Menu

PGiles County held its first Annual River Clean Up Day on July 21^st. There was a great turnout with around 80 volunteers present to clean up two sites in the County. There was a cookout afterward at Glen Lyn Park with great food and live entertainment. Special thanks goes out to the more than 37 businesses that sponsored the event with donations of food, money, and items to use! Barbara Hobbs, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, spoke at the cookout about a new litter control campaign in the County with hefty fines and surveillance cameras that will be placed around the County to help catch the roadside dumping that goes on�; as Ms. Hobbs stated "Giles County isn�t going to take it any more!" We look forward to next year�s event and hope it continues to grow!

PThe Incubator has been busy the last several weeks with Partnership for Excellence moving in. Mr. Spencer and his staff will be having an Open House on August 2nd from 2:00 - 4:30. Mr. Spencer will be outlining the many services now provided through his agency at the Incubator. Everyone is welcome.

PCharter Communications is utilizing Incubator space once again to launch a telemarketing campaign throughout the area to introduce their new digital cable system Should you have questions about the available space at the Incubator, please call Terri at (540) 726-3888 or e-mail [email protected]. Main Menu

June 28, 2001

/Mr. David Burdette presented Radford University�s plans for the utilization of the St. Albans property during the Commissioners� Report section of the agenda. He reported that the University has reached a three year performance agreement with Carilion to takeover ownership and use of the property. He said that the University has identified three immediate uses for the facility which are centered on economic development. They include the establishment of a business and technology park, providing a home for the new college of information science and technology, and providing research and corporate facilities to companies having a relationship with the University.

In addition, the site includes 44 acres which are available to the University for the development of additional facilities.

/Mr. Rundgren reported on a public hearing being held in Roanoke County to discuss the formation of a Roanoke River Basin Commission. The purpose of the Hearing is to determine if there should be a River Commission, what its power should be, and how the membership should be constituted. The Roanoke hearing is July 26, 2001 at Clearbrook. 

/The Commission appointed a workforce education and training committee to address the local government concerns related to the cost of education and the need to have a well educated and trained workforce.  Main Menu

July 26, 2001

/The July meeting was canceled. The next regularly scheduled meeting is August 23, 2001.

All Commission meetings are open to the public and are held on the fourth Thursday of every month, 7:30 p.m., at 6580 Valley Center Drive, in Fairlawn, VA. Main Menu

New River Access

NRVPDC staff has submitted the Economic Development Administration grant for the New River Access project on behalf of the Town of Pearisburg, Pulaski County, and the City of Radford. The Project will help establish new facilities at three sites: a rest area and canoe basin at New River Center; a boat ramp and campground at Bisset Park, and a new park at the confluence of Big Walker Creek and the New River. For further information, contact Lydeana Martin, (540)639-9313, ext. 206. Main Menu

Labor Force

Car registrations increased throughout most of the District between the 1^st and 2^nd quarters of 2001. Montgomery County showed the largest increase (56). Truck registrations decreased throughout the NRV, except Radford City (3). Car registrations increased throughout most of the District between the 1^st and 2^nd quarters of 2000. Floyd County showed the only decline (23). Truck registrations also increased throughout the NRV during the same time period.

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Taxable Sales

The dollar amount of taxable sales increased in all NRV jurisdictions except Radford City between the 1^st and 2^nd quarters of 2000. Montgomery County experienced the largest increase of $18,396,548 with Floyd County showing the smallest increase of $2,137,562. Between the 3^rd and 4^th quarters of 2000, Floyd and Pulaski Counties experienced the only declines in taxable sales, $448,543 and $125,481 respectively.

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August 2001

August 7 - Floyd PC Meeting - 7:30PM and Blacksburg PC Meeting - 7:30PM

August 13 - Pulaski Town PC Meeting - 7:00PM

August 14 - Giles PC Meeting - 7:00PM and Pulaski PC Meeting - 7:00PM; 

August 15 - Montgomery PC Meeting- 7:00PM

August 20 - Radford PC Meeting - 7:00PM

August 21 - RPO TAC NRV Compet Center-Fairlawn-1:30PM

August 23 - NRVPDC Commission Meeting - 7:30PM

*Christiansburg Town PC Meetings are held on an as-needed basis, any Monday at 4:00PM Main Menu 

September 2001

September 4 - Floyd PC Meeting - 7:30PM and Blacksburg Town PC Meeting - 7:30PM

September 10 - Pulaski Town PC Meeting - 7:00PM

September 11 - Giles PC Meeting - 7:00PM and Pulaski PC Meeting - 7:00PM and Montgomery/Blacksburg LEPC-Red Cross-C/Burg

September 17 - Radford PC Meeting - 7:00PM

September 19 - Montgomery PC Meeting - 7:00PM

September 27 - NRVPPC Meeting - Fairlawn - 7:30PM

*Christiansburg Town PC Meetings are held on an as-needed basis, any Monday at 4:00PM  Main Menu

TRANSPORTATION NEWS

Now is the time for localities that are interested to start thinking about TEA-21 Transportation Enhancement project proposals for the next funding cycle. Applications will be due to VDOT at the end of January 2002. The PDC can provide technical assistance to New River Valley localities in preparing applications. For more information, call Patrick Burton at (540) 639-9313 ext. 205. Main Menu

Transportation Advisory Committee Meeting

The PDC�s Transportation Technical Advisory Committee will meet on August 21st, 1:30 p.m., at the New River Valley Competitiveness Center in Fairlawn. For more information, call Patrick Burton at (540) 639-9313 ext. 205. Main Menu

The goal of the Roundtable effort is to develop a Strategic Plan that will be a working document with representation from all stakeholders and strong grassroots support, participation, and accountability. Everyone is invited to participate in the Roundtable, including individual citizens, farmers, local government officials, students, and representatives of business, industry, community watershed organizations, and resource management agencies, etc. For more information, call Charlotte Burnett, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, at (540) 643-2590. Main Menu

Randolph Park Opens in Pulaski

Pulaski County proudly announces the opening of Randolph Park.  The park was conceived in the early 1990's.  It was seen by the donor of the property on which it is being built, Ms. Evelyn Alexander, as a way for local children to enjoy the water. The County Board of Supervisors saw it as a way to build community pride.  Draper Aden Associates and Reynolds Architect designed the facility following a concept plan developed by the Virginia Tech Design Assistance Center.  Donations of over $800,000 in cash, volunteer labor, in-kind assistance and materials made the project possible.

Construction continues on the $6 million facility following the opening of the $2 million water park, an extensive playground facility, a large picnic shelter, two gazebos and a mile of wooded walking trails.  Other amenities under construction include tennis courts, basketball courts, a soccer field, four softball fields and a related announcers/concession stand, and a maintenance building.  The Pulaski County Board of Supervisors invites you to visit the park and enjoy the facility.

New Director of the Virginia Tech Museum of Natural History Named

Dr. Mike Rosenzweig has been named Director of the Virginia Tech Museum of Natural History.  Dr. Rosenzweig will be responsible for directing museum collections, exhibits, and education programs; as well as developing a major capitol and endowment program. He is Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Virginia Tech Biology Department where he teaches courses such as freshman biology, and plant ecology.

Dr. Rosenzweig is a founding director of the SEEDS organization.  SEEDS is a non profit educational organization with a focus on youth programs including a summer environmental field camp for kids and cultural immersion travel programs.

He also currently serves as the volunteer director for the Cabell Brand Center Fellowship Program and Library Collections in Salem.  

Mike serves on the Steering Committee for the Vital Signs Project, a regional task force that writes and publishes sustainable indicators for planning and community development.  He is also active in the Bennett Hill - Progress downtown neighborhood of Blacksburg as an organizer and contact person.

Community Events and Milestones

The Town of Pearisburg has received notice of a $144,000 TEA-21 grant to begin improvements on the east end of town. This will involve signage, sidewalks, drainage, and lighting improvements out to Giles High School.

The Town of Pearisburg has also received notice of a Letter of Intent to fund a $363,300 block grant to develop an adult daycare facility and free clinic. This will be located in the former McLean Drug in downtown Pearisburg. The facility will also house space for additional medical services. The town is partnering with Carilion Giles Memorial Hospital. Giles County is a co-applicant on this project.

Finally, the Town of Pearisburg expects to close before mid-August on the purchase of the Whitt-Riverbend Park property. A $110,000 grant from the Virginia Land Conservation Fund made the project feasible. The town has submitted a grant through the Planning District for development funds. If successful, the town would have an additional $235,000 in EDA funding available to begin development.

Fall I session of YMCA Open University classes will register the week of September 3 with classes beginning the following week.  If you are interested in offering a course for the 2001-02 school session, call the Y at 231-4208.

The Community Foundation of the New River Valley (CFNRV) is seeking grant proposals for its 2001 second grant cycle.  Grant awards range from $500 to $1,000. Contact the CFNRV at 540-381-8999 for an RFP. 

The Virginia Water Research Symposium will be held November 14-16, 2001 in Charlottesville, Virginia. The program includes a workshop entitled "Stream Corridor Assessment for Watershed Management" that will be offered on November 16. For registration information e-mail [email protected] or visit the Water Center Web site www.vwrrc.vt.edu

You are invited to 'Kickin' Off Steppin' Out: A Community Performance Showcase' to be held at the Lyric Theater on Thursday, August 2 at 7:30 pm.  The evening will feature local talent, including singers, dancers, bands, poetry, and comedy acts.  Co-sponsored by the Downtown Merchants of Blacksburg and the YMCA at Virginia Tech, proceeds from this production will support the many volunteer programs offered by the YMCA.  Tickets ($5 for adults and $2 for children 12 and under) can be purchased in advance at the Easy Chair Coffee Shoppe in the University Mall, the YMCA Thrift Shop on Main St. in Blacksburg, and the YMCA Lancaster House at 403 Washington St.  Tickets will also be available at the door.  If you have any questions, please call Shannon Turner at 231-3734 or e-mail [email protected].

The Community Foundation of the New River Valley convened both its first and second class of EAGLES (Energized Active Grassroots Leaders Engaged Systematically) Fellows at the Selu Conservancy July 20th.  Plans for a third class of fellows are in development.

Community leader, activist, and Regional Planner Holly Larson Lesko is heading to California at the end of July for a nine-month-sabbatical with her family.  We�ll miss her, but look forward to her visit for digital storytelling in October. Main Menu.

If you have any questions or comments regarding this newsletter, please contact Jan Reynolds, Newsletter Editor, (540)639-9313 or [email protected]

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Last Edited: 8/17/01