NRVPDC Newsletter     December 2001 - January 2002

A Joyous Holiday Season!

• "Regional Partnership Receives $300,000" in the Spotlight
• NRVPDC Updates
  • Floyd-Floyd County Planning Commission
  • Radford Riverfront Development
  • The Jacksonville Center
  • Town of Narrows Comprehensive Plan
  • Local Emergency Planning Committee
  • Floyd Venture Center
  • Workforce Investment Board
• Incubator Network News
  • New River Valley Competitiveness Center
• NRVPDC Commission Meeting Summaries
  • October 25, 2001

• NRV Economic Indicators

  • Labor Force
• Transportation News
  • Transportation Advisory Committee Meeting
  • Application Deadlines Approaching
• Town of Pulaski Flood Mitigation Committee
• CALENDARS
  • December 2001
  • January 2002
• Floyd Regional Commerce Center Moving Forward
• Farewell Travis
• Vision 2020 Newsletter

Virginia's New River Valley Regional Competitiveness Partnership received $300,000 from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development for participation in the Regional Competitiveness Program (RCP). This program was created to help communities strengthen their economic competitiveness through regional cooperation. The RCP provides an incentive for communities and regions to undertake new levels of regional activity to address obstacles to economic competitiveness. The program is designed to reward both existing regional behavior and stimulate new behavior: planning and acting regionally.

In response to this call for increased regional cooperation, the NRVPDC and the New River Valley Economic Development Alliance, along with representatives from the various educational institutions in the region, joined together to form Virginia's New River Valley Regional Competitiveness Partnership in 1997. The Partnership adopted Vision 2020, the regional strategic plan for the New River Valley, as its strategic plan. Additional elements documenting competitiveness issues were added, including a listing of existing and proposed regional projects. The Partnership reports on the status of these projects.

The Partnership encourages the development of additional regional projects through the investment of funds provided to the Partnership by the General Assembly, $300,000 this year. These funds are being used to support a variety of regional projects: the development and operations of the New River Valley Airport as a User Fee Airport and Foreign Trade Zone, to provide operational support to the New River Valley Competitiveness Center, and to further the New River Access project development. Also, monies were awarded to Montgomery County in support of a joint business accelerator project. In the area of workforce development, Regional Competitiveness Partnership monies will provide ongoing support of the curriculum for the Technology Magnet School and planning and design of a facility to house the school. The Partnership has joined with six other organizations to fund the preparation of a Workforce Intelligence Survey. The Survey will define the region�s workforce, emerging trends in skill needs, and gaps in existing skills. In addition, funds have been provided to New River Community College for assistance in the design of a workforce retention program to serve localities in the Virginia�s First Region (parts of planning districts 3, 4, and 5), otherwise known as Dynamic Job Oriented Technology Solutions (DJOTS).

Pending successful progress on these projects, the Partnership will continue to qualify for annual incentive funding for another year and then the Partnership must re-qualify for the program. The re-qualification application is due by the end of March 2003 and the Partnership has begun the re-qualification process. For further information, please contact Dave Rundgren (540) 639-9313 or [email protected]. Main Menu

Floyd-Floyd County Planning Commission

The Floyd-Floyd County Planning Commission has reviewed and proposed a new update to the Floyd County Subdivision Ordinance, following edits by the County attorneys. A public hearing will be held in December. In general, the proposed ordinance will increase minimum lot sizes wherever public water and sewer are unavailable. Also under the proposed ordinance, the Planning Commission will review any preliminary plat whenever 5 or more parcels are involved. For further information, contact Lydeana Martin, (540)639-9313, ext. 206. Main Menu

Radford Riverfront Development

NRVPDC continues to provide staffing for the Radford Riverfront Development committee. Currently, committee and staff are identifying key natural areas that require protection and/or new plantings. Staff is also identifying key nodes for potential recreation access and commercial activities along the Radford Riverfront and Connelly�s Run. Another public input meeting will likely be held in January. For further information, contact Lydeana Martin, (540)639-9313, ext. 206. Main Menu

A number of holiday events are scheduled at the Jacksonville Center and the neighboring June Bug Center including the Festival of Decorated Trees, Winterfest Crafts Festival and Community Chorus Holiday Concert. Contact the Jacksonville Center at (540) 745-2784 or the June Bug Center at (540) 745-6550 for information regarding these events and others to be held in and around Floyd this holiday season. For further information, contact Janet McNew, (540)639-9313, ext. 202.  Main Menu

Town of Narrows Comprehensive Plan

The Town Council has adopted the 2001 Comprehensive Plan for the Town of Narrows. It is available at the Town office. The Planning Commission will now work on revisions to the Town�s Zoning Ordinance. A work session is set for December 10 between the Planning Commission and Town Council to review proposed changes. A public hearing will be set up shortly thereafter. For further information, contact Shawn Utt, (540)639-9313, ext. 210. Main Menu

The Montgomery/Town of Blacksburg Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) met on November 13 to discuss updating the County�s Hazardous Materials Response Plan with an added Terrorism Response section. The Committee has asked that the Sheriff circulate copies of the updated County�s Emergency Response Plan to the necessary members for review. The Committee will discuss this plan during their next scheduled meeting, February 12, 2002. For further information, contact Shawn Utt, (540)639-9313, ext. 210. Main Menu

Floyd Venture Center

NRVPDC staff is continuing to review grant opportunities for the proposed Floyd Venture Center, a business incubator which would also serve non-profits. A special feature of this business incubator would be a shared-use commercial kitchen, which would enhance agricultural profitability through value-added processing. Currently, staff is seeking grant opportunities related to Tobacco Indemnification and the North American Free Trade Agreement. For further information, contact Lydeana Martin, (540)639-9313, ext. 206. Main Menu

The Workforce Investment Board and Chief Local Elected Officials Consortium recently changed their meeting schedule from monthly to bi-monthly meeting on alternate months. The WIB meets the fourth Wednesday of their meeting month while the CLEOS meet the third Wednesday. All meetings are open to the public and the public is encouraged to attend. For further information, contact Ronnie Martin, (540) 633-6764, ext. 233. Main Menu

New River Valley Competitiveness Center

PPhase 2 Expansion Progress Report:

For more information about the Competitiveness Center and its programs contact Wayne Carpenter, Business Incubator Manager, 540-633-6730, or [email protected]. Main Menu 

October 25, 2001

/Executive Director�s Report  

Regional Competitiveness Partnership - The Economic Competitiveness Plan will need to be updated by March 2003, the update should include an update of Vision 2020, the New River Valley�s Strategic Plan.

Economic Development Administration - Virginia Tech is reported to have received a grant to allow the Public Services Division to assist the Commission in defining new economic development tasks and processes for revising the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS).

Statewide Multimodal Long Range Transportation Plan Update - VDOT held a public hearing on October 4^th to gather input for inclusion in the Plan Update.

Transportation Enhancements Grant Workshop - To be held November 7^th at Salem District Office of VDOT. Past projects receiving grants include the Huckleberry Trail in Montgomery County and the Draper Overlook in Pulaski County.

Due to the Thanksgiving Holiday, a November meeting was not held, the next Commission meeting is December 12, 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

TRANSPORTATION NEWS

The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation also administers the Virginia Outdoors Fund (VOF) for the acquisition and development of public outdoor recreation areas and facilities, including trails. Through the VOF, local governments may apply for grant funds not to exceed 50% of project cost. The maximum grant award available through the VOF is $125,000 ($250,000 or more total project cost). The application deadline for VOF funds is March 1, 2002. Application manuals for the VOF and Recreational Trails programs are available on the Department of Conservation and Recreation website at www.dcr.state.va.us. Click on "Recreation Planning," then click on "Grant Programs". For more information, call Patrick Burton at (540) 639-9313 ext. 205.  Main Menu

 Town of Pulaski Flood Mitigation Committee

The Town of Pulaski Flood Mitigation Committee met for the first time on October 29, 2001. They discussed the need of a Flood Mitigation Plan for insurance purposes. It will be part of an application to FEMA to reduce Flood Insurance Rates for the residents that have flood insurance. It could also present possible flood mitigation projects that could lessen the possibility of flooding in the Town. The committee meets on the 4^th Monday of every month. Public meetings will be published in the Southwest Times and the Roanoke Times CURRENT section. For further information, contact Shawn Utt, (540) 639-9313, ext. 210. Main Menu

December 2001

December 4 - Floyd Co. Community Meeting - 7:00PM and Blacksburg PC Meeting - 7:30PM

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

December 11 - Giles PC Meeting - 7:00PM and Pulaski PC Meeting - 7:00PM; RPO TAC Mtg. - 1:30PM

December 12 - NRVPDC Commission Meeting - 7:30PM

December 17 - Radford PC Meeting - 7:00PM

December 19 - Montgomery PC Meeting- 7:00PM

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

January 2002

January 1 - Floyd PC Meeting - 7:30PM and Blacksburg Town PC Meeting - 7:30PM

January 8- Giles PC Meeting - 7:00PM and Pulaski PC Meeting - 7:00PM 

January 14 - Pulaski Town PC Meeting - 7:00PM

January 16 - Montgomery PC Meeting - 7:00PM

January 21 - Radford PC Meeting - 7:00PM

January 24 - NRVPDC Commission Mtg. - 7:30PM

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

Division 1 is the construction of a temporary access road to Lot #3 where a local business will be locating and expanding. Division 1 also includes initial site grading on Lot #3. This phase of the project was bid in August and the contract awarded to Sowers Construction of Mount Airy, North Carolina. Most of the actual onsite grading and clearing work has been accomplished by Reed Excavating Contractors, a local Floyd company. This project is substantially complete as of mid-November.

Division 2 of the project is to build the main facility for the local business retention and expansion on Lot #3. This phase of the project has also been bid and was awarded to H. S. Williams Co. of Marion, Virginia. The building construction is in process and expected to be completed within two months.

Divisions 3, 4, & 5 of the project include: the construction of the permanent VDOT main access road into the site, the installation of water and wastewater lines and three phase electric utilities, and site work and grading on two to five additional lots, respectively. This phase of the project was advertised November 28, 2001. The bid opening is set for 3:00 PM on December 6, 2001.

The project is funded by grants from the Economic Development Administration, the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, and the Virginia Department of Transportation. Matching funds for the project are from Floyd County and local industry. For more information on this project, contact Pat Therrien, (540) 639-9314, or e-mail [email protected]. Main Menu

Travis Elkins, a cartographer at the PDC, accepted a position with the Town of Christiansburg in October. We appreciate his service and dedication to the PDC. The staff wishes him the best of luck!  Main Menu

New River Land Trust Established

A group of Western Virginia Land Trust (WVLT) members and supporters are establishing the New River Land Trust (NRLT).  This newly formed nonprofit will serve an eight county area, including the Counties of Bland, Floyd, Giles, Grayson, Montgomery, Pulaski, Wythe, and Carroll as well as the Cities of Radford and Galax.

Recognizing the importance of local citizens in identifying and conserving their natural and cultural resources, the WVLT has worked with the NRLT to establish a cooperative affiliation.  The WVLT and NRLT will collaborate on several existing projects. 

The NRLT will focus its initial efforts on easement acquisition along the New River in Grayson County as well as landowner education. Dr. Joyce Graham is the Acting President.  Dr. Graham gave up teaching for an opportunity to assist in developing the innovative �Village at Toms Creek� in Blacksburg.  Dr. Jerry Moles, whose family has owned property in Montgomery County since before the Civil War, is the Acting Executive Director.  Ms. Lesley Howard, the group�s founder, is serving as Secretary and Ms. Diane Green, CPA, is the Treasurer. 

Several members of the group have established the �New River Land Trust Endowed Fund� at the Community Foundation of the New River Valley.  This provides local people a place to donate their monies to work in perpetuity for land conservation.  The fund is currently endowed at $5,000.

If you would like additional information about the NRLT, please contact them at 540-392-1366. Main Menu.  

Virginia Tech Receives Grant to Address Education & Health Needs of Rural Appalachia

Virginia Tech's Information Systems and Communication Network Services (CNS) has been awarded a $328,000 construction grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce�s Public Telecommunications Facilities Program (PTFP) for a project entitled "Meeting the Education and Health Needs of Rural Appalachia: Implementing the Integration of Wire and Wireless Solutions."

The goal of the 12-month construction project is to connect isolated, disadvantaged groups in Appalachia to opportunities for education, including continuing medical education and outreach, available through information networks.  The applicant organization is Virginia Tech and it has partner organizations in the counties of Smyth, Floyd, Giles, Montgomery, Pulaski, and Dickenson, and Radford City.

The grant will provide New River Health District (NRHD) video over Internet and satellite downlinks and will also provide connectivity for several community action (CA) agencies housing the Head Start Program and Family Resource Rooms. These agency sites include the New River Community Action Agency, Incorporated, (serving the counties of Montgomery, Floyd, Pulaski, and Giles, and Radford City) and the Mountain Community Action Program (Mt CAP) in Smyth County.

For more information, please contact Andrea Kavanaugh, Ph.D, Director of Research, (540) 231-5488 or [email protected]. Main Menu.  

Southwest Virginia Stormwater Management Project

Southwest Virginia�s counties, cities, towns, consultants, and citizens have an opportunity to shape the way we handle stormwater management.

The need for stormwater management is based on the fact that development (roofs, paved areas, and lawn)s, can contribute to flooding, streambank erosion, low stream flows, and pollution.  The overall result can be an unhealthy environment and a decrease in quality of life.

Stormwater is considered the leading cause of new water pollution and federal and state laws and regulations are in place that directly impact southwest Virginia municipalities. Methods for avoiding stormwater problems and meeting regulatory requirements are available but must be suited to local conditions.

In response to this situation, the New River-Highlands and Black Diamond Resource Conservation and Development Councils are sponsoring a project for local community representatives to collaborate to draft model ordinances tailored to the needs of southwest Virginia.  A model authority will be developed for the Montgomery County and Radford area.

The project is funded with a water quality improvement act grant, through the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, and meetings are planned for the spring and summer of 2002 to develop the ordinances.

All local government units are asked to participate in this effort, which is an opportunity for us to:

• Benefit from the experiences of more urbanized areas,
• Meet our local needs,
• Prepare for regulatory requirements,
• Realize a cost savings by preventing problems before they occur,
• And preserve one of our most important economic assets: our quality of life.

If you would like to participate or if you would like further information, please contact Brian F. Schmidt, Stormwater Management Specialist, (276) 228-2879, [email protected]. Main Menu.  

Grant Awarded to Establish Forest Landowner Cooperative

Next Generation Woods, Inc. has been awarded funding from the Appalachian Forest Regional Center (AFRC) in Berea, KY to be used in the organization of a Forest Landowner Cooperative in the Central Blue Ridge area.  The AFRC is one of four regional centers under the National Community Forestry Center which is collaborating with the National Network of Forest Practitioners (NNFP) to help develop research initiatives and local information resources that facilitate community-based problem solving in natural resource based communities.

The funding will be used to educate and recruit Co-op Members.  The "Blue Ridge Co-op" will be modeled on successful Forest Landowner Cooperatives in the Upper Midwest.  These models enable Forest Landowners to practice Sustainable Forestry by pooling their resources and adding value to them.  Instead of selling timber into a commodity market, Co-op members will maintain ownership of their wood products until it's reached its highest value before being sold.

Also participating in this grant is Foresters, Inc. of Blacksburg.  Foresters Inc. and NGW are currently working toward FSC certification thru Smartwood.  Once certified as Resource Managers, Foresters will be able to provide forest management plans, harvesting management, and woodland certification.  NGW will be certified to process the timber, through the chain-of-custody, into value added products like flooring, trim, paneling, and mouldings.

The Blue Ridge Co-op plans to file Articles of Incorporation by the Summer of 2002.  The Co-op will enjoy a rapid start-up by using the existing solar kiln and production moulder/planer capacity of Next Generation Woods, as well as NGW's certified chain-of-custody.

For more information, contact: Gail and Harry Groot, Next Generation Woods, Inc. (look for our website launch by year's end!) <http://www.nextgenwoods.com>Main Menu.  

Fatherhood Campaign Coalition of the NRV Receives
Virginia Fatherhood Campaign Grant

As reported by the National Fatherhood Initiative in 1998, there is an epidemic of fatherless families in the United States and Virginia.  The absence of a father in the home contributes to poverty, welfare dependency, crime and delinquency, and impacts a child�s success in school.  This epidemic along with its contributing factors is of great concern to community leaders in the New River Valley.  The Fatherhood Coalition in the New River Valley is developing strategies for restoring fatherhood as a high priority through parenting education and the provision of opportunities for fathers to share time with their children and with one another. 

New River Community Action, Inc. has received an $8,500 Virginia Department of Health Virginia Fatherhood Campaign Community Grant on behalf of the Fatherhood Campaign Coalition of the New River Valley.  NRCA�s Children�s Health Improvement Partnership of New River Valley (CHIP of NRV) and Head Start Programs and the New River Community College comprise the Coalition.

CHIP of NRV will provide parenting education for fathers of children up to age 3.  The New River Community College will provide parenting classes for fathers with children age 4-8.  The groups will focus on empowering men by helping them grasp their essential role in their children�s healthy development.

Fatherhood parenting groups will be open to any father who is interested and has children up to age 8.  Transportation and childcare will be provided to parents as needed, and food is provided to fathers and children who are being provided childcare on-site.

Additionally, special activities will be selected by the fathers where they can share experiences with each other as well as their children.

For more information, contact Glenda W. Vest, (540) 633-5133 Ext. 18, email: [email protected]. Main Menu.

Neighborhood Assistance Program Tax Credits Awarded to New River Community Action

During funding year July 1, 2001 to June 30, 2002, New River Community Action, Inc. has been awarded $2,000 Neighborhood Assistance Program tax credits for businesses and $2,500 tax credits for individuals by the Virginia Department of Social Services Office of Community Services.

A business contributing to NRCA (an approved NAP organization) may receive a state tax credit for forty-five percent (45%) of their total contribution.  The minimum tax credit issued for a business contribution is $400 for a donation of at least $889 and up to a maximum for $175,000 in tax credits for any tax year for a donation of no more than $388,889.  Tax credits not usable by the business, for the period a contribution was made, may be carried over to the extent usable for the next five succeeding taxable years.  

Individuals may receive a state tax credit for monetary (check) donations to NRCA.  Through December 31, 2001, an individual must donate a $50 (minimum) or no more than $200 (maximum) per tax return per taxable year to receive the credit.  This tax credit is equal to the amount of the donation.  Effective January 1, 2002, the rules change for individual donors.  The minimum donation increases to $900 and the maximum to $1,666.67 for a tax credit valued at 45% of the donation.  No more than $750 in tax credit may be issued to an individual or to married persons in a taxable year.  An individual may use the credit only if not claimed as a deduction on their federal income tax return.  Additionally, the tax credit may be used only to the extent the individual has not claimed a deduction for such amount on their federal income tax return.

For more information contact Glenda Vest, NRCA Director of Planning and Program Development at 633-5133, ext. 18. Main Menu.

 Community Events and Milestones

The YMCA at Virginia Tech will be sponsoring the "International Gifts Festival" December 7 & 8 at the Cranwell International Center. The festival sells unique items from 35 developing countries. Proceeds help provide food, education, and medicine in these countries, as well as provide funds for the Y International Programs. The Festival hours are Friday 11 am to 7 pm and Saturday 9am to 4pm. Volunteers are needed from December 6 to 9 to help run the fair. Call 231-6962 for more information or to volunteer.

The YMCA Open University will hold registrations for Winter 2002 classes on January 22 to 26. Classes begin January 28. Class schedule will be placed on-line January 15 at www.vtymca.org.

A �New River Valley Volunteer Recognition Celebration� to raise awareness of the important role volunteers play in our community will take place Saturday, December 8.  The purposes of the celebration are to recognize volunteers nominated by community organizations and to honor the 2001 recipient of the Jim and Lenna Moore Award for outstanding volunteer service.

The Celebration will be from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Blacksburg Community Center. Organizations interested in participating in the Celebration that may not have received a mailed invitation should call the Executive Director of the Voluntary Action Center, Cheryl Cooley-Newman (381-2066) and one will be mailed or e-mailed.

The Virginia Tech Young Outstanding Young Alumnus from the College of Natural Resources award has been given to Michael G. VanNess this year.  Mr. VanNess is working with the newly formed New River Land Trust.

The 2001 YMCA-AAUW Women�s Leadership Award was given to Dianna Benton and Lesley Howard on Thursday, November 15th.  Main Menu.  

The Town of Pearisburg has three grant projects underway. In Bluff City the rehabilitation of 6 housing units is about 45%. The construction of 4 new houses and one habitat unit are about to get underway. The town shall contract in December for water, sewer, and stormwater work. This is all part of a $1,048,006 block grant.

The town also is working to meet contract requirements for a project to convert an abandoned former drug store in downtown into an adult daycare center. The site will also house a free clinic facility and additonal specialty medical offices. This is part of a $363,600 block grant.

Finally, the town will sign contract documents in November to begin work on extension of sidewalks east of town. This will eventually link to the Wal-Mart shopping center and the high school. This is

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: 12/12/01