New River Valley Planning District Commission
Highlights of FY 1997-98
The 1997-98 fiscal year found the New River Valley Planning District Commission working on all fronts to position the New River Valley to embrace the global economy of the 21st Century. While it may sound like a broken record, unprecedented cooperation once again is the way of business here. This year saw the launching of two major initiatives, both of which are crucial to the future economic development of the region, and yet neither could have been achieved by any one entity by itself.
The first major initiative is the work toward the creation of Virginia's First Regional Industrial Facility's Authority. When finalized, this Authority will serve not only the New River Valley, but 15 jurisdictions in southwest Virginia. The Authority is working to create a revenue/cost sharing agreement to develop a 1,000 acre industrial park in Pulaski County adjacent to the New River Valley Airport. This is in response to a recent report from the Virginia Economic Development Partnership showing that there is a growing demand for large industrial sites, and yet most regions of the state are not poised to meet that demand. Through this unique 15 jurisdiction partnership, the New River Valley will be able to offer up to five sites between 100 and 200 acres each to global businesses looking for a home.
The second initiative was the establishment of Virginia's New River Valley Economic Competitiveness Partnership. This partnership between the NRVPDC, the New River Valley Economic Development Alliance and NRV educational institutions, was formed in response to the Virginia Department of Housing and Economic Development Regional Competitiveness Program. This program provides incentive funds for regions to undertake new levels of regional activity to address obstacles to economic competitiveness. The partnership adopted Vision 2020, the regional strategic plan for the New River Valley, as its strategic plan, and has identified numerous projects that are crucial to the region's future.
But these are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to cooperating for the future. There's the New River Valley Regional Jail, the Kellogg MIRA (Managing Information in Rural America) grant program, the Foreign Trade Zone, the New River Valley Visitor's Bureau, Workforce Development and the Technology Magnet School, and a variety of revenue sharing agreements. I invite you to take a look through the rest of this report and see for yourself how New River Valley governments, private industries and educational institutions are working together to embrace the 21st Century.
Respectfully,
David W. Rundgren
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New River Valley Competitiveness Center and Montgomery County Enterprise Development Center
The groundbreaking ceremony for the New River Valley Competitiveness Center, located in the New River Industrial Park in Pulaski County, was held on November 25, 1997. The Center, owned by the New River Valley Development Corporation, will provide local entrepreneurs the opportunity to lease competitively priced light manufacturing, industrial and office space while providing tenants with low cost, shared services. The Allen R. Neely Company was awarded the construction contract for $2.4 million dollars. On March 10th, Reed Excavating began their work and the Center is becoming a reality.
Construction has progressed with favorable weather conditions and is currently a little over 50 percent complete. The incubator office space is under roof, interior work is progressing, and grading has begun on the parking lot. The Development Corporation continues to finalize plans for the interior such as a phone system, computer networking, furniture and other necessities. NRVPDC staff has also begun talking with prospective tenants and providing them with general information daily. The aerial photograph below was taken by Peter Huber of Pulaski County. The expected substantial completion date is January 4, 1999.
The Montgomery County Enterprise Development Center is a multi-tenant facility, located in Christiansburg in Montgomery County, which will house industrial and commercial tenants in coordination with a community redevelopment and revitalization plan. Breakel Inc. is the main contractor for Phase I of the renovations which are expected to be completed December 1, 1998.
Both the New River Valley Competitiveness Center and the Montgomery County Enterprise Development Center are funded through the Economic Development Administration. The Competitiveness Center also received a low interest loan from Rural Development. Main Menu
Narrows Downtown Revitalization
The Town of Narrows received a funding award from the Community Development Block Grant program of the Department of Housing and Community Development for downtown revitalization. Facade renovations were to be bid out in late summer, 1998, and the Clevinger building, which was in derelict condition, was torn down and a badly-needed parking lot put in its place. A Main Street Community Committee was approved by Narrows Town Council and began meeting in June, 1998. This Committee will advise the town on issues related to downtown improvements. Main Menu
The Giles Business Incubator in Narrows officially opened in February 1998. This facility is designed to provide business services and professional assistance to small business entrepreneurs. Anita Hines was brought on board to be the Operations Manager of the facility. Five businesses moved into the incubator soon after its opening. The businesses are: Omega Studios, offering stained glass; GAJ Studios, a business specializing in pencil portraits; Pervasive Technologies, Inc., an internet provider; Progressive Digital Imaging, a data reduction and storage company; and Randi Lemmon, a community planning consultant. The incubator was also the recipient of an $8,000 grant from the George J. & Effie L. Seay Foundation in support of training courses offered at the facility. Main Menu
The Jacksonville Center, located in Floyd County, is a regionally focused economic development project promoting rural culture, arts and community. The Center is located just outside the Town of Floyd on Route 8. It occupies a little over four acres of land with a 10,000 square foot partially remodeled barn, a "creamery," and an office building.
The Center has established the first floor of the Barn facility as a rural cultural business incubator. There are presently seven spaces available. The Jacksonville Center is part of the NRV's business incubator support network. Main Menu
Vision 2020, as noted in the NRVPDC's 1997 Annual Report, was awarded an Appalachian Regional Commission grant in 1997. The first "do-able"project to be implemented with this grant was an expansion of the "Totlinks" program at the Montgomery-Floyd Regional Library, to the "Moms, Pops & Tots" program in Giles and Pulaski Counties. NRVPDC staff helped the group apply for and receive $4,100 from the Carilion Foundation necessary for implementation. A regular Vision 2020 newsletter has been established, as has a non-profit database and benchmarks and indicators for the region. Finally, a Volunteer Fair at Virginia Tech in February 1998, was such a success that Virginia Tech will sponsor the fair in 1999. Main Menu
New River Valley Regional Jail Authority
The groundbreaking ceremony for the New River Valley Regional Jail was held in August 1997. This event marked the beginning of work on the $25 million, 348 bed facility located in Dublin, Virginia. Eight localities joined forces to make this regional project a reality. The participating jurisdictions are: the Counties of Bland, Carroll, Floyd, Giles, Grayson, Pulaski, and Wythe, and the City of Radford.
Since August, construction has progressed steadily. By the end of June, fifty-five percent of the work had been completed. A partial turnover of the facility, consisting mainly of the administrative portion, is anticipated for December 1998. Final completion is on target for March 1999. The aerial photograph below was take June 26, 1998 by Brown and Root Building Company, the construction management firm handling the project.
The New River Valley Regional Jail Authority has hired several staff personnel in anticipation of the opening of the facility. Ralph E. Dobbins, formerly the sheriff of Pulaski County, was hired in September 1997 to be the Superintendent of the facility. In May 1998, Rebekah Stump, formerly with the City of Radford, was hired as the Assistant Superintendent for Finance/Human Relations. Three more positions, including the Assistant Superintendents for Operations and Security and the Administrative Assistant, were filled in July and August. Main Menu
The PDC receives funding support for transportation planning activities from the Virginia Department of Transportation. The Transportation Technical Advisory Committee advises the NRVPDC on transportation matters and serves as a forum for the discussion of regional transportation issues.
New River Valley Transit Study
Vision 2020 identified the development of an affordable and accessible public transportation system among its goals and visions for the region. This study was initiated by the NRVPDC with input and guidance from its Transportation Technical Advisory Committee. This study is a first step in addressing the issue of public or alternative transportation services.
Commuting pattern information, based on 1990 U.S. Census data, was examined to characterize work-related travel in the New River Valley. Information was also gathered concerning the history of transit in the region, past transit studies, and issues related to transit service development.
Additional data from the 1990 Census was collected to assess the level and location of transit demand using a methodology previously applied to other rural areas in western Virginia. Areas with transit demand were identified based on demographic variables which have a theoretical relationship with transit ridership. These variables include: population, number of households, education level, household income, home ownership, and car ownership. Census block groups, census designated places, and towns were used as areas of analysis.
Based on the transit demand assessment, areas of transit demand in the New River Valley were found to occur in and around the towns and communities along the corridors of U.S. Routes 11 and 460. This is consistent with the findings of previous transit studies focusing on the New River Valley.
The Transportation Technical Advisory Committee has formed a subcommittee to address follow-up activities to this study.
Intermodal Transportation Facility Study
Transportation infrastructure is key to moving materials and components to manufacturing facilities, as well as to moving finished products to domestic and international markets. The "New River Valley Vision 2020" document includes a goal and strategies which address improvement of the capacity, condition, and efficiency of inter- and intra-regional transportation systems. Intermodal transportation involves the efficient movement of freight or passengers through use of multiple modes of transportation. This study focused on intermodal freight transportation which involves rail and truck modes. Intermodal transportation can offer an additional and, in some cases, a more cost-efficient option for movement of freight.
The study report provided background information pertaining to intermodal transportation, intermodal transfer facilities and related topics. Also included is a review of issues related to development of an intermodal rail-truck transfer facility in the New River Valley. The purpose of the report was to help local government and economic development officials develop an understanding of intermodal transportation and the factors which influence development of intermodal rail-truck transfer facilities. Recommendations were offered for pursuing development of additional freight transportation options in the region. Main Menu
The Narrows Comprehensive Plan was approved during a joint public hearing of the Town's Planning Commission and Town Council in October 1997. Major changes incorporated into the revision included the establishment of the Giles Incubator in the Central Business District, the Enterprise Zone Designation, and other projects that will enhance the economy of the Town. Main Menu
Giles County Comprehensive Plan
The final stages of updating the Giles County Comprehensive are finally underway. Revisions were recently completed to the background data section of the Plan, as were the final elements of the Future Land Use Guide. The next step in the Comprehensive Plan revision process is a joint work session between the County Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors to review the Future Land Use Guide. At least two more meetings between PDC staff and County officials are in order before the revised Plan goes to a public hearing. Main Menu
Pulaski County Comprehensive Plan
Work on Pulaski County's Comprehensive Plan continues. Final revisions have been made to the background section. The preparation of mapping products is one of the major pieces needed to complete the Plan update. The mapping is being coordinated with revised E911 mapping. The Planning Commission's next step is to review their goals and objectives for the future and work with the PDC staff in creating a Future Land Use Guide which recognizes many significant development trends. Completion is expected in early 1999. Main Menu
The Town of Dublin requested the PDC's assistance in updating their Comprehensive Plan to reflect a boundary adjustment (1995), recent economic development activity at the Dublin Industrial Park, and a downtown redevelopment study. The Town is evolving into a interchange commerce center for industry and retail trade alike due to its location next to Interstate 81 and Virginia Route 100. Completion of the Town's Comprehensive Plan is expected by Spring 1999. Main Menu
The Pearisburg Zoning Ordinance was adopted in May 1998. PDC staff created new maps reflecting the additional land incorporated into the Town through a boundary adjustment with Giles County. Rezoning was also reflected in the Town's official zoning map; definitions in the Code were rewritten, past amendments were incorporated into the document, and the overall look and feel of the ordinance were made more user-friendly. Main Menu
Virginia's New River Valley Regional Competitiveness Partnership
Virginia's New River Valley Regional Competitiveness Partnership was formed early in the 1997-98 year in response to the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development's Regional Competitiveness Program (RCP). This program was created to help communities strengthen their economic competitiveness through regional cooperation. The RCP provides incentive funds for up to five years for communities and regions to undertake new levels of regional activity to address obstacles to economic competitiveness. The Partnership includes the NRVPDC, the New River Valley Economic Development Alliance, and representatives from the various educational institutions in the region. The Partnership adopted Vision 2020, the regional strategic plan for the New River Valley, as its strategic plan. Participation in the RCP is based on an application demonstrating regional cooperation, which was easy to document for this region. The application was submitted in May 1998 and notification was received in August that the region would have $244,260 dollars for continued regional development. Main Menu
Approximately 100 people attended a summit entitled, "The Future of Technology in Southwest Virginia," held at New River Community College on November 17, 1997, from 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon. The Summit was open to citizens, local government officials, and the business community of the New River Valley and the New Century Region.
The keynote speaker was Dr. Robert Templin, president of the Virginia Center for Innovative Technology (CIT). Dr. Templin began his presentation with a brief summary of the mission and activities of the CIT. He then discussed the findings and recommendations of the CIT study, "Building a Commonwealth of Technology: A Blueprint for Technology-Based Economic Growth in Virginia." These recommendations addressed such issues as work force, infrastructure, entrepreneurial climate, and technology deployment. Dr. Templin expressed his belief that 500 technology-based jobs per month can be delivered to our region if the right work force and telecommunications capabilities are developed.
Dr. Theodore Rappaport, director of the Mobile and Portable Radio Research Group at Virginia Tech, spoke about his vision of a "wireless valley" and the potential for wireless communications to transform society and commerce. Other speakers and topics included: Congressman Rick Boucher on his work with technology issues and efforts to help develop electronic villages and promote internet access throughout the Ninth Congressional District; Jim Stout, Vice-President of Manufacturing for Pulaski Furniture Corporation, on applications of technology in Pulaski Furniture's production processes; and David Rundgren, Executive Director of the New River Valley Planning District Commission, on investments in the future for the next stages of economic growth and development in the New River Valley and the need for local jurisdictions to continue their long history of regional cooperation and partnerships.
The Technology Summit also included two panel sessions. The first of these focused on infrastructure and included the following panelists: Ken Anderson, president of Anderson and Associates; Dan Carson, president of American Electric Power Virginia-Tennessee; Lorinda Lionberger, VDOT Salem District Representative on the Commonwealth Transportation Board; and John D'Orazio, director of marketing and new construction for Roanoke Gas Company. The panelists discussed issues, obstacles, and trends/changes in meeting increased demand for infrastructure and services.
The second panel session was the closing session of the Summit and featured the following State legislators: Sen. Bo Trumbo; Sen. John Edwards; Del. Thomas Baker; and Del. Morgan Griffith. The legislators provided comments on and reactions to information presented during the preceding sessions.
The Summit was sponsored by the following organizations: New River Community College; New River Valley Chamber of Commerce Coalition; Pulaski Encouraging Progress; New River Valley Economic Development Alliance; Montgomery Regional Economic Development Commission; Radford University Business Assistance Center; New Century Council; and the New River Valley Planning District Commission. Main Menu
Virginia's First Regional Industrial Facility's Authority
In 1997 the Virginia General Assembly adopted the landmark Virginia Regional Industrial Facilities Act. The Act provided localities in the New River Valley and Fifth Planning Districts the ability to jointly develop, own, operate and share the revenues from one or more industrial facilities on a cooperative basis. In short, this Act enables the region to develop the much needed large-scale regional industrial park. A Commerce Park Study Committee formed in January, 1998 to establish the Authority and to determine the terms for participation. Fifteen jurisdictions now make up Virginia's First Regional Industrial Facility Authority: the counties of Bland, Craig, Giles, Montgomery, Pulaski, Roanoke; and Wythe, the cities of Radford, Roanoke, and Salem; and the towns of Pulaski, Dublin, Narrows, and Pearisburg, Christiansburg.
The Authority is now actively working to develop a 1,000 acre regional industrial park in Pulaski County near the New River Valley Airport. When completed, the New River Valley Commerce Park is expected to employ between 3,000 and 4,000 people and generate a revenue stream between $7 and $10 million annually. Main Menu
Kellogg Foundation Awards New River Valley Grant
In September 1997, a small group of citizens from the New River Valley went to Charleston, West Virginia to learn more about a new Kellogg Foundation program: Managing Information in Rural America (MIRA). Following the information workshop on MIRA, this group brought together other interested persons to form an Organizing Team to prepare a grant application to the Kellogg Foundation.
The Team submitted an application in December 1997 and received a site visit at the end of February 1998. On March 16, 1998, the New River Valley became a Kellogg Foundation MIRA Grant winner.
The grant award totaled as much as $200,000 for the region. Up to $50,000 was applied toward the mandatory community- building workshops that began this past summer and will continue through the fall. An additional $150,000 is available to the community teams (up to $15,000 per team) that participate in the workshops to implement community projects related to enhancing technology. The community building training will focus on skill development including Community Asset Mapping and Leadership Development. The $15,000 mini-grant projects will be a first step toward using these skills and getting a project on the ground in these communities.
In addition to the community team funding, Kellogg awarded up to $250,000 through a competitive review process to "Support Organizations" in the region. The funded organizations are The Old Church Gallery, The Jacksonville Center, VMH, Inc., and The Voluntary Action Center. All of these organizations have a common interest in developing databases and will work together to develop them. Main Menu
Recycling Industrial Technical Assistance
The Appalachian Regional Recycling Consortium (ARRC), part of the NRVPDC, received funding from the Southeast Rural Community Assistance Project, Inc. (SE/R-CAP) to continue its industrial technical assistance program.
The purpose of the Recycling Industrial Technical Assistance Program is to provide the information and technical assistance necessary for business to make environmentally sound economic decisions. The concept is to promote the utilization of locally recovered materials by local industries and to assist in reducing the volume and/or toxicity of waste generated as a by-product of manufacturing. The incorporation of recycled materials in manufactured products can help make industries more competitive, both locally and internationally. In addition to being environmentally responsible, products with recovered material content are a requirement for many Federal and State contracts.
Some Industrial Technical Assistance services include information on incentive and recycling tax credit programs, training workshops, on-site waste audits, and waste exchange programs. Main Menu
NRVPDC staff have been working with Pulaski County's Commissioner of Revenue to improve the County's tax parcel mapping using digital ortho photos to correct errors inherent in tax mapping. This involves completing residential addressing and attaching the County's landbook to tax maps for planning purposes. Main Menu
Full Time Part Time If you have any questions or comments regarding this annual report, please contact Jan Reynolds, [email protected] |