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The following are highlights of the tenants located in the New River Valley Competitiveness Center incubator in Fairlawn, VA. We are currently 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 Dave Rundgren at (540) 633-6730. For further information on the tenants please visit our website at http://www.bev.net/blacksburg/pdc/nrvcc.html.
Expert Automation, Inc. - founded in 1995, the company began as a system integrator. They have a Class A contractors license and can handle turn-key projects of any size. Their main business areas include programming of Programmable Logic Controllers on any manufacturing system, and Real Time data collection systems including bar coding of material if needed. They also design and build custom control panels. Other capabilities include providing complete AutoCAD drawings and system documentation, operator training on Human Machine Interfaces (HMI), integration of third party devices, complete project management, and remote site control. For further information contact Chuck Gore; [email protected] or Russell Shaw; [email protected]; (540) 633-6760.
Blue Ridge Golf, Inc. - William and Jennie Allman and Mark and Kimberly Hall own and operate the River Course golf course. The River Course is a new 18 hole golf facility located in the Fairlawn area of Pulaski County. The Maryland based firm of Ault, Clark and Associates designed the River Course with Tom Clark and Dan Schlegal serving as the head architects.The Virginia firm of Staff Contracting, Inc. worked with Blue Ridge Golf, Inc. to make the design a reality. From elevated tees, the front nine wraps along the river over bent grass fairways, tees, and greens to return to the clubhouse where you will begin the back nine with another breathtaking view from the elevated tees. The River Course will operate as a semiprivate Club with both memberships and daily fee play. Opening Mid-Summer 1999! For information on membership and tee times contact Dan O'Boyle, General Manager and Head Golf Professional, (540) 633-6732.
Mebco LLC - owned by Mike Boyer and Steve Crawford, are housing developers and are currently developing Heron's Landing at the River. Heron's Landing is adjacent to the River Course and offers one of the most unique neighborhood locations in the NRV. Some of the features of the subdivision are underground public utilities, natural gas and walking paths. Heron's Landing parallels the New River and the River Course for 2-1/2 miles. There are townhomes and single family residential lots from which to choose. For further information, contact Steve Crawford, (540) 633-6769.
STAFF Contracting, Inc. - a Virginia Corporation that has a Class A Virginia contractors license in highway/heavy and recreational facility construction. STAFF specializes in golf course construction, and is experienced in all phases of street and road construction, clearing, site development, water, sewer, and storm drainage construction. STAFF is currently building the River Course golf course in Pulaski, County. For further information, contact Freddy Spraker, (540) 633-6737.
Regional Emergency Medical Services. Inc. (REMSI) - was created in 1995 in order to combine all existing volunteer rescue squad units in Pulaski County into a single organization. In addition to volunteer rescue personnel, REMSI utilizes career personnel to provide services during periods when squad personnel are not available. The REMSI Training Center, developed in the Spring of 1999, was created with funds provided by the Carilion Community Health Fund. The Training Center provides training and continuing education for Emergency Medical Technicians throughout the NRV. Additionally, the Center is preparing to offer both CPR and first aid courses to local businesses and industrial facilities. REMSI administrative offices are also located at the Competitiveness Center. For further information contact David Smith, (540) 633-6738.
The Equitable - Equitable-Howes Branch provides financial products and services to individuals and small businesses including life insurance, annuities, disability income insurance, retirement and estate planning, mutual funds and health insurance (provided by third party insurers.). Equitable is one of the world's premier investment managers. Joe Marchese, started with the Equitable in April 1997 and is in the process of developing his business. He is servicing the New River Valley and beyond. For further information contact Joe Marchese, (540) 633-6740.
Bowlswitch, USA, Inc. - Bowlswitch was originally founded in Wilhelmshaven, Germany to produce steel valves from a unique and patented design. The Bowlswitch sanitary valves were developed to combine the well known sanitary properties of butterfly valves with the advantages of ball valves. Bowlswitch, USA, Inc. was formed to expand sales of the Bowlswitch line of sanitary valves into the NAFTA markets (USA, Canada, and Mexico). The Bowlswitch valve is inherently sanitary because of its unique seal design, and has wide application in a variety of industries especially food processing, dairy, beverage, chemicals, cosmetics, paints, and coatings. For further information contact Clemens von Claparede, (540) 633-6733.
Quad Media� - is the developer and manufacturer of the PiK�. The Portable Interactive Kiosk� provides the flexibility and ergonomic benefits of a full sized kiosk, combined with the portability only available to smaller sized systems. The Pik's modular frame allows for the integration of many industry standard peripheral devices and its frame design and removable / reversible graphics panels allows changes in kiosks signage, to reflect new ad campaigns, venues, or re-purposing. It easily sets up in under five minutes without any tools. The PiK� has a built-in TFT-LCD touch screen display and an integrated keyboard offering full 101-key functionality. It stores all electronic components without the need to disconnect or remove. It meets size and weight requirements for FedEx and UPS shipping and is also in complete compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act providing full access to persons with disabilities. For further information contact Bernard LaFleur, (540) 633-6739, ext. 250 or visit their web site at www.quadmedia.com. Main Menu
At the July 6, 1999 work session, Dublin Planning Commission members reviewed and commented on the existing land use data and mapping products presented by PDC staff. Future land use for the Dublin area was discussed and the draft future land use plan was distributed to members for review. The next work session is scheduled for late August when the future land use map and accompanying text will be finalized. For further information, contact Gregg Zody, (540)639-9313, ext. 206. Main Menu
New River Valley Regional Jail Authority
The New River Valley Regional Jail has completed its first two months of operations. The average number of inmates in June was 314. About 40 inmates are transported to court each day. New video arraignment equipment is being installed at member localities which should reduce transportation costs. The per diem rate will be finalized once costs are firmly established. Superintendent Dobbins reports that inmates are getting acclimated to the jail. Ten inmates recently graduated from GED classes. Alcoholics Anonymous and Bible study classes are being offered to inmates. The Operations Committee of the Jail Authority is expected to make a recommendation soon regarding the inmate work policy. The last details of jail construction should be completed by the end of July. The PDC contract expired at the end of June, but administrative work is continuing on a month-to-month basis until all administration can be smoothly shifted to the jail staff.For further information, contact Tammy Sarver, (540)643-2000 Main Menu.
New River Valley Competitiveness Center
Please see the front page for information on the Competitiveness Center. Main Menu
American Heritage River Workplan Unveiled
On Monday, July 26th, Congressman Rick Boucher along with New River Community Partners co-sponsored a Conference on "The American Heritage River Designation for The New River." In addition to panel discussions, there were six workshops in the afternoon. Copies of the workplan will be available at the Conference or by contacting the NRVPDC at 540-639-9313 � ask for Jan Reynolds or Lesley Howard.
The nitty-gritty work of getting specific projects funded has already begun for many projects in our region and across the watershed. That work will continue alongside new projects as local citizens work with others across the watershed and within the region.
Four citizens from the New River Valley will serve on the New River Community Partners Board which serves to coordinate efforts across the New River watershed. These four new Board members include: Lesley Howard, David Ridpath, David Rundgren, and Llyn Sharp. As Board members, they will serve as liaisons and representatives of our region within the larger watershed. Please contact them with any questions or concerns you may have. Lesley Howard: 540-639-9313, [email protected]; David Ridpath, 540-731-3623; David Rundgren, 540-639-9313, [email protected]; and Llyn Sharp, [email protected]. Main Menu
NRVPDC Commission Meeting Summaries
NRVPDC Commission Meetings are held on the fourth Thursday of every month, 7:30PM, New River Valley Competitiveness Center, 6580 Valley Center Drive, Radford, VA. All meetings are open to the public. Main Menu
The NRV's 4th quarter wage data for 1997 and 1998 show an increase in average employment of 487 (.75%) persons. The weekly wage increased ($29 or 6.0%) and the number of establishments showed no change.
| Jurisdiction | 4th Qtr 1997 | 4th Qtr 1998 |
|---|---|---|
| Floyd County | 2,345 | 2,384 |
| Giles County | 5,728 | 5,765 |
| Montgomery County | 31,817 | 32,418 |
| Pulaski County | 15,560 | 15,723 |
| Radford City | 9,179 | 8,826 |
| NRVPDC | 64,629 | 65,116 |
| Jurisdiction | 4th Qtr 1997 | 4th Qtr 1998 |
|---|---|---|
| Floyd County | 366 | 392 |
| Giles County | 504 | 518 |
| Montgomery County | 470 | 497 |
| Pulaski County | 508 | 537 |
| Radford City | 515 | 564 |
| NRVPDC | 485 | 514 |
| Jurisdiction | 4th Qtr 1997 | 4th Qtr 1998 |
|---|---|---|
| Floyd County | 269 | 270 |
| Giles County | 319 | 328 |
| Montgomery County | 1,712 | 1,735 |
| Pulaski County | 709 | 684 |
| Radford City | 402 | 394 |
| NRVPDC | 3,411 | 3,411 |
Senator Warner Receives Congressional Award at LDD Conference
The Local Development District of Appalachia Annual Conference was held March 14-16, 1999 at the Crystal City Marriott Hotel in Arlington, Virginia. The theme of the 1999 conference was Sustainable Development. During this conference a Congressional Award was presented to Senator John Warner of Virginia. Senator Warner was recognized for his long time support of the Appalachian Regional Commission and the unique partnership it represents. He played a critical role in the Commission being re-authorized by Congress. Dr. Jesse White was joined by Congressman Goodlatte and representatives of the six Virginia LDDs in presenting the 1999 Congressional Award Congressman Alan Mollohan of West Virginia was also honored for his support of the ARC on the floor of the House as well as on the important Appropriations Committee. For further information, contact Dave Rundgren at (540) 639-9313, ext. 212. Main Menu
Southwest Virginia Multi-Modal Transportation Study
Southwest Virginia PDCs are pursuing funds for a multi-modal transportation study of the region. Proposal development is being coordinated by Virginia Tech's Center for Policy Access. Undertaking such a study was recommended by the Commission on the Future of Southwest Virginia. This multi- jurisdictional project will focus on traditional modes of transportation, such as roads, air, rail, bus, bicycle, etc., as well as non-traditional modes such as telecommuting and trade corridors. The project will include an extensive public participation process. The goal of the effort is to develop a 10- 20 year transportation plan, as well as a 50 year vision plan. Funds will be sought through the Appalachian Regional Commission's "Intermodal Transportation Planning Initiative" and the U.S. Department of Transportation's "Transportation and Community and System Preservation Program." The project will be coordinated by Virginia Tech's Center for Policy Access and will involve staff from each PDC. For further information, contact Patrick Burton at (540) 639-9313, ext. 205. Main Menu
August 2 - Floyd PC Meeting - 7:30PM
August 3 - Blacksburg PC Meeting - 7:30PM
August 9 - Pulaski Town PC Meeting - 7:00PM
August 10 - Giles PC Meeting - 7:00PM and Pulaski PC Meeting - 7:00PM
August 13 - 9:30AM - New River Valley Regional Jail Authority - Dublin
August 16 - Radford PC Meeting - 7:00PM
August 18 - Montgomery PC Meeting - 7:00PM
August 26 - NRVPDC Commission Meeting - 7:30PM
*Christiansburg Town PC Meetings are held on an as-needed basis, any Monday at 4:00PM Main Menu
September 1999
September 6 - Floyd PC Meeting - 7:30PM
September 7 - Blacksburg Town PC Meeting - 7:30PM
September 10 - New River Valley Regional Jail Auhtority-Dublin - 11:00AM
September 13 - Pulaski Town PC Meeting - 7:00PM
September 14 - Giles PC Meeting - 7:00PM and Pulaski PC Meeting - 7:00PM; Montgomery/Blacksburg LEPC - 3:00PM
Septenber 15 - Montgomery PC Meeting - 7:00PM
September 20 - Radford PC Meeting - 7:00PM
September 21 - RPO TAC - 1:30PM
September 23 - NRVPDC Commission Meeting - 7:30PM
*Christiansburg Town PC Meetings are held on an as-needed basis, any Monday at 4:00PM
Main Menu The 1999 Virginia's New River Valley maps have arrived at the NRVPDC and the New River Valley Economic Development Alliance and are available for purchase. The map includes NRV schools, universities, hospitals, and economic development facilities as well as the national parks and forest areas. In addition, it displays a map of the Interstates of the Eastern United States. For further information, contact Jan Reynolds at (540) 639- 9313, ext. 216. Main Menu The Housing Partnership for the New River Valley and the Women's Resource Center in Radford have been awarded a construction grant from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development for a Transitional Housing program. The $700,000 Letter of Intent was announced by the Governor's Office on July 21. The PDC staff helped prepare this grant application and is now assisting with pre- contracting work. Additionally, the PDC arranged for Lydeana Martin, a Virginia Tech graduate student, to research transitional housing programs around the nation as a practicum for the Urban and Regional Planning program. The information gathered was organized into a practical guide to services and funding. The guide was recently presented to Pat Brown, Executive Director of the Women's Resource Center. For further information, contact Lydeana Martin, (540) 639-9313, ext. 209. Main Menu
Vision 2020 Newsletter
The Community Foundation of the New River Valley (CFNRV) presented their semi-annual mini-grant awards at their annual meeting May 25th at the Christiansburg Library.
There were six $500 awards presented:
Auburn Elementary, for a project titled "Perceptual Motor Activities: A Link to Reading."
Floyd Reading is Fundamentalorganization.
FutureWorksof Christiansburg.
Gilbert Linkous, for their "Building an Emergent Young Readers" program.
New River Community Action, Floyd Office, for their Family Room.
New River Valley Planning District Commission, for development of a Community Celebration.
Approximately 75 community members, including CFNRV Board members, former grant recipients, interested citizens and new grant recipients attended the reception and presentation. Dr. Ed Barnes, president of New River Community College, gave the keynote address. Andy Morikawa, Executive Director of the CFNRV, and Steve Gerus, Distribution Committee Chair, also made remarks.
A second round of mini-grants will be awarded in December of this year; the deadline will be September, 1999. Please contact Andy Morikawa at 540-381-8999 for additional information.
Community Foundation of the New River Valley |
The Mary Reynolds Babcock (MRB) Foundation, based in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, awarded a $75,000 two-year challenge grant to the Community Foundation of the New River Valley (CFNRV) July 15th of this year.
"We are tremendously excited about the possibilities this funding presents us with," stated Andy Morikawa, Executive Director of the CFNRV. "We hope to lay the groundwork for sustained leadership development across the new River Valley through program development that's based on what grassroots leaders tell us they need to be more effective participants in civic life. We'll also develop an endowed fund to support these programs after the grant funding expires."
The Annual Report of MRB Foundation states that the Foundation "concentrates on assisting people in the South to build communities � just and caring communities � that nurture people, spur enterprise, bridge differences, foster fairness and promote civility."
There will be several ways for individuals and groups to participate in the implementation of the grant. Please contact Andy Morikawa at 540-381-8999 for additional information.
Myron Kellner Rogers led the thirty-five attendees of the Natural Pathways of Connection and Community Building Workshop in discussion of the challenges and opportunities for communities as technology becomes more and more prevalent.
He began with the observation that wherever he goes � Mr. Kellner-Rogers is an international consultant � the most common conversation he hears around the proverbial water cooler in the office is "we no longer believe the institutions we created can serve us, or provide us with our future." He also noted that technology allows us to build a global economy that's homogenous, but not necessarily a global community. This is because our connections through technology are typically issue-based rather than locality-based � we don't have to be "stuck" with our neighbors and all their foibles and flaws because we can create a selected on-line community.
While Kellner-Rogers fears that the "pull to fragment" is strong, he noted that the call to community is equally strong. He closed his keynote address with the observation that technology amplifies whatever is going on in a community.
Sponsored by the Kellogg Foundation and the Community Support Organizations that Kellogg funded as part of the "Managing Information with Rural America" grant, the workshop also brought in organizational development expert, Vicki Creed of Learning Partners.
If you would like more information about the workshop or copies of Myron-Kellner- Rogers articles, please contact Lesley Howard,
540-639-9313 or Holly Lesko, 540-552-3035.
Approximately 40 citizens attended the Grant- Writing Workshop sponsored by the Appalachian Regional Commission and hosted by the NRV Planning District Commission and New River Community College June 10th. The handouts are still available and contain useful information on grant-seeking. Contact Lesley Howard at 540-639-9313 ext. 210 if you would like a copy of the information.
On Thursday, August 19th, the Executive Director of the Western Virginia Land Trust and the NRV Land Trust Task Force will meet to begin identifying high-priority lands for conservation in the NRV. The meeting is to be held at 4:30 p.m. in the Mary Fessler Room of the Blacksburg Library.
This work is inspired by the proposed establishment of a dedicated, long-term funding source for land conservation. In 1999, the General Assembly established the Virginia Land Conservation Foundation to purchase lands � farmlands, forests, historic sites, natural areas, parks and open spaces � for conservation. The VLCF was given a $1.75 million appropriation; that amount may grow to as much as $40 million. Main Menu