Return to NRVPDC Home Page"New River Valley Competitiveness Center" in the Spotlight
The New River Valley Competitiveness Center is a 31,081 square foot facility designed as a "gateway" to the New River Valley and is an example of innovative planning to incorporate a mixture of uses. The facility includes an industrial incubator containing 16,000 square feet, office space for several regional agencies consisting of 5,090 square feet and shared spaces containing 9,991 square feet. The facility is designed to serve employee and visitor needs. The site allows for a 20,000 square foot expansion of the industrial incubator space.
The ribbon cutting and opening of the Center will be April 12th at 9:30 a.m. Congressman Rick
Boucher will be the keynote speaker. Paul Raetsch, Philadelphia Regional Director of the
Economic Development Administration and Wayne Carpenter of the New River Valley
Development Corporation are scheduled to make comments. Tours of the Center will be
conducted for those interested in this new economic development facility. If you are unable to
attend, please contact Kay Hauschildt to schedule a tour at another time.
Several new and growing small businesses have expressed interest in locating in the Center (book
publishing, energy management, bookkeeping service, and engineering). When asked what
attracted them to the Center the entrepreneurs say the services and opportunities to be gained
from the business assistance.
With the Center providing support services such as reception, copier, fax, phone system, and business planning and financial assistance, these individuals are able to concentrate on growing their businesses. The Regional Office side of the building is almost filled. Several agencies have leases and are ready to move in.
Have a few spare hours a month and want to help new businesses grow? We are compiling a list
of business men and women who are willing to serve as mentors to start-up businesses. If you or
someone you know can provide guidance to these organizations, please contact Kay Hauschildt at
(540)639-9314.
It is the objective of the New River Valley Development Corporation and the New River Valley Competitiveness Center to support the expansion of small business/manufacturing in the New River Valley. In doing so, the employment sector of the New River Valley will be enhanced by businesses growing and expanding in the New River Valley. Main Menu
Giles County Comprehensive Plan
The Giles County Comprehensive Plan was formally adopted by the Giles County Board of Supervisors at their regularly scheduled February 18, 1999 meeting. This concludes a two year planning process involving the citizens and planning commission working together to create a working land use plan for the future of Giles County. For further information, contact Gregg Zody, (540)639-9313. Main Menu
Pulaski County Comprehensive Plan
The background data draft (Volume 1) is currently undergoing final revisions requested by the Planning Commission. Mapping and database modeling for the second volume (land use: present and future) is currently in the works. For further information, contact Gregg Zody, (540)639-9313. Main Menu
During the February Planning Commission work session, the Dublin Planning Commission and staff from the New River Valley Planning District Commission completed revised goals and objectives for the Town's Comprehensive Plan. During March's meeting, a land use map illustrating existing conditions and a map showing improved and unimproved land in the Dublin area was reviewed by Commissioners in preparation for the future land use phase of the Comprehensive Plan update. For further information, contact Gregg Zody, (540)639-9313. Main Menu
The Rich Creek Planning Commission is preparing to examine existing land use patterns in preparation of the
future land use plan. For further information, contact Gregg Zody, (540)639-9313. Main Menu
All of our newsletters and annual reports are on the internet. If you misplace an old newsletter that you need just visit our web site and download the file. http://www.bev.net/blacksburg/pdc/index.html |
New River Valley Regional Jail Ribbon Cutting
The final touches are being put on the regional jail in Dublin, VA. This state-of-the-art facility, serving the counties
of Bland, Carroll, Floyd, Giles, Grayson, Pulaski, Wythe, and the City of Radford, is expected to be operational on
April 14, 1999. Ralph Dobbins, the Superintendent, and his staff are in the process of coordinating the closing of local
jails and the opening of the regional jail.
A grand opening ceremony is scheduled for Friday, April 9th. At 1 p.m. a ribbon cutting ceremony will take place. Tours and other events will follow. On Saturday, April 10th, the facility will also be open for tours from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The general public is invited to attend on either day. For further information contact Tammy Sarver at (540) 674-1130. Main Menu
American Heritage Rivers Initiative
At a March 16 kickoff meeting at New River Community College, nearly 60 citizens learned that the American Heritage River (AHR) designation means that organizations and communities in the New River watershed will receive streamlined access to federal resources to carry out efforts in four areas. These areas are economic revitalization; natural resource and water quality protection; historic and cultural preservation; and education and training.
Before projects have access to funds, there must be a work plan for the entire New River Watershed. Spearheaded by the New River Community Partners, a non-profit organization with representatives from all three states encompassing the New River (North Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia), the work plan is being created by grassroots participation. Once in place, a federal "river navigator" will use the work plan to match federal funding opportunities to specific projects identified in the plan. The designation does not provide any new funding, but its intent is to link projects with funders and speed access to those funds.
Citizens at the March 16 meeting divided into four working committees to define the projects that will be included in the New River Valley's work plan, which will be incorporated into the New River Watershed Work Plan later this summer. The bulk of the committees' work will be over the next two months so that the region's plan may be completed by June.
Anyone interested in the program is encouraged to participate in any of the committee meetings and should contact Alexandra Hall or Mary Hall at (540) 639-9313 for dates and times. Main Menu
New River Valley Competitiveness Center
Please see page one for update. Main Menu
The Giles Business Incubator (GBI) continues to expand the opportunities it provides to small business entrepreneurs. The Small Business Consulting Institute, a part of the Pamplin College of Business at Virginia Tech, is working on a marketing and business plan for the GBI. This plan should allow the incubator to better market itself and the tenants it houses in both Giles and surrounding areas. The Small Business Development Center of Radford University will be conducting a course on small business start-up in April. The date for this course has not been selected yet. For more details, please contact Anita Hines at (540) 726-3888.
"dreamworks," a tenant in the GBI specializing in candles & laser engraving, is expanding its operation into one of the retail spaces. This small business had originally intended to produce its products at the GBI and then use mail order for distribution. Demand locally has been so great, however, that the need for retail space in Giles County became apparent. Congratulations to dreamworks on its success! Main Menu
Narrows Downtown Revitalization
The bulk of the Narrows Downtown Revitalization Project physical infrastructure work is completed. Eight facades have been improved; the final punchlist will be completed as this goes to press.
The sidewalk and streetscape improvements will be coordinated with the VDOT realignment of Route 61, expected to start in late summer or fall of 1999.
For further information on the above items, contact Lesley Howard at (540) 639-9313. Main Menu
NRVPDC Commission Meeting Summaries
NRVPDC Commission Meetings are held on the fourth Thursday of every month at 7:30PM. Starting in April, the Commission meetings will be held at the New River Valley Competitiveness Center, 6580 Valley Center Drive, Radford, VA. All meetings are open to the public.Main Menu
Three NRV jurisdictions experienced increases in their labor force between 3rd and 4th quarters of 1998. Montgomery County experienced the largest increase (494 persons). Giles County showed the largest decrease (670 persons). During the same time period in 1997, Floyd and Giles counties were the only jurisdictions to experience increases in their labor force.
| Jurisdiction | 3rd Qtr 1998 | 4th Qtr 1998 |
|---|---|---|
| Floyd County | 19,598 | 20,056 |
| Giles County | 26,395 | 25,725 |
| Montgomery County | 112,876 | 113,370 |
| Pulaski County | 51,287 | 51,337 |
| Radford City | 20,782 | 20,482 |
| NRVPDC | 230,938 | 230,970 |
NRV jurisdictions experienced unemployment rate declines between the 3rd and 4th quarters of 1998, with the exception of Floyd County (1.4% increase). Giles County experienced the largest decline (2.3%). Between the 3rd and 4th quarters of 1997, Giles County was the only jurisdiction to experience an increase in unemployment rate (3.9%).
| Jurisdiction | 3rd Qtr 1998 | 4th Qtr 1998 |
|---|---|---|
| Floyd County | 2.5% | 3.9% |
| Giles County | 8.5% | 6.2% |
| Montgomery County | 2.1% | 2.0% |
| Pulaski County | 4.1% | 3.7% |
| Radford City | 2.7% | 2.6% |
| NRVPDC | 3.4% | 3.1% |
NRV To Be Eligible for Supportive Housing Grants
The Housing Partnership of the New River Valley is in the midst of developing a Continuum of Care in order to qualify
for Supportive Housing Program (SHP) grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development through
the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. Development of the Continuum of Care will
outline care for individuals and families as they move from homelessness to permanent housing. With this document
in place, agencies in the New River Valley will be eligible to compete for $9 million through the Support Housing
Program from DHCD.
The SHP promotes the development of supportive housing and services that help homeless people transition from
homelessness to living as independently as possible. Each project submitted for a SHP grant must fall in one of the
following program categories: Transitional Housing; Permanent Housing for Persons with Disabilities; Supportive
Services Only; and Safe Haven.
The deadline for submitting Supportive Housing grant applications is April 26. For more information, contact Pat
Brown at the Women's Resource Center of the New River Valley at (540) 639-9592. Main Menu RU's International Trade Center Wins Governor's Award
The International Trade Center of Western Virginia at Radford University has received the Governor's Award for an
International Market Plan produced for Groendyk Manufacturing Company, located in Buchanan, Virginia. The
International Market Plan was produced for Groendyk by a team of Radford University MBA students under the
leadership of Victoria Peterson, Director of the International Trade Center of Western Virginia.
The Center has recently announced the Spring 1999 schedule for its International Trade Certification Program. This
program is designed for: marketing, sales, and operations personnel in small and medium-sized businesses who want
to develop international trade skills; entrepreneurs who are developing start-up international trade businesses; and
employees from large companies who wish to update their knowledge and skills in the international trade field.
The International Trade Certification Program will hold a series of eight workshops during the Spring of 1999, from
late March through late May. Those who are interested in the Certificate Program or in individual workshop sessions
are encouraged to call the International Trade Center of Western Virginia at 540-831-6734 for more information. Main Menu EPA Risk Management Training Held
A one-day Risk Management Program (RMP) training course was held on March 23, 1999, at New River Community
College. Approximately 35 individuals representing businesses and public sector organizations from throughout the
New River Valley and beyond participated in the training workshop. The workshop was primarily designed for water
treatment, wastewater treatment, refrigeration, and propane distribution facilities. The workshop provided guidance
that will make the forthcoming RMP compliance (deadline June 21, 1999) less burdensome. Training was provided
by EPA Region III Chemical Accident Prevention Program officials. The Montgomery County-Blacksburg Local
Emergency Planning Committee and the Pepper's Ferry Regional Wastewater Treatment Authority worked together
to bring this training event to the area. For further information, contact Patrick Burton at (540) 639-9313. Main Menu
April 5 - Floyd PC Meeting - 7:30PM
April 6 - Blacksburg PC Meeting - 7:30PM
April 9 - New River Regional Jail-Dublin - 9:30AM
April 9 - New River Regional Jail-Ribbon Cutting - 1:00PM
April 12 - NRVPDC Operating at the New Facility
April 12 - NRVCC Ribbon Cutting - 9:30AM
April 12 - Pulaski Town PC Meeting - 7:00PM
April 13 - Giles PC Meeting - 7:00PM and Pulaski PC Meeting - 7:00PM
April 19 - Radford PC Meeting - 7:00PM
April 20 - RPO TAC-TBA
April 21 - Montgomery PC Meeting - 7:00PM
April 22 - NRVPDC Commission Meeting - 7:30PM
*Christiansburg Town PC Meetings are held on an as-needed basis, any Monday at 4:00PM Main Menu
March 1999
May 3 - Floyd PC Meeting - 7:30PM
May 4 - Blacksburg Town PC Meeting - 7:30PM
May 10 - Pulaski Town PC Meeting - 7:00PM
May 11 - Giles PC Meeting - 7:00PM and Pulaski PC Meeting - 7:00PM; Montgomery/Blacksburg LEPC-ARC, C'Burg - 3:00PM
May 17 - Radford PC Meeting - 7:00PM
May 19 - Montgomery PC - 7:00PM
May 27 - NRVPDC Commission Meeting - 7:30PM
*Christiansburg Town PC Meetings are held on an as-needed basis, any Monday at 4:00PM
Main Menu City of Radford to Apply for Transitional Housing
Transitional Housing for victims of domestic violence is one step closer to reality thanks to Radford City Council. On
March 16 Council unanimously agreed to submit a Community Development Block Grant application to the
Department of Housing and Community Development on behalf on the Women's Resource Center of the New River
Valley for the development of a transitional housing facility and support services.
If awarded, the $700,000 application will provide for the acquisition of property in Radford, and the construction of
eight apartments ranging from one to three bedrooms to provide safe housing for families rebuilding their lives after
domestic violence. Additionally, the facility will include community space consisting of staff offices, laundry,
children's playroom, computer room, and meeting/support group room.
The facility is designed to house families who have been at the Women's Resource Center emergency shelter and
cannot access any other safe housing. Residents will be at the facility from three months to two years, during which
time they would work with Women's Resource Center case managers and educators and resource specialists to begin
rebuilding their lives and return to self sufficiency without domestic violence in their lives. For more information, contact
Mary Hall at (540) 639-9313. Main Menu After nearly 30 years at its present location, the New River Valley Planning District Commission
(NRVPDC) is moving to the New River Valley Competitiveness Center's re-gional office space.
We anticipate to be operating out of the new facility by April 12, 1999. Our Post Office Box number
(P.O. Box 3726, Radford, VA 24143) will remain the same. Our new street address will be 6580
Valley Center Drive, Radford, VA 24141. Also, our phone numbers will not change. Please make
a note of this. We will be sending change of address cards in the near future. If you have any
questions, please contact Shirl Quesenberry at (540) 639-9313. Main Menu
If you have any questions or comments regarding this newsletter, please contact Jan Reynolds, Newsletter Editor, (540)639-9313.
Last Edited: 4/5/99