The population of the New River Valley has been growing at about eight percent over the past decade. The following table shows the population change in each of the region’s jurisdictions. Floyd County is the only jurisdiction that grew faster than the state average of 14.4 percent.

This growth is above average for the region in comparison to previous years. The more rapid growth and in particular the growth in the over 50 year old population of the region impacts many aspects of planning, financing, and development for local communities. Providing services to this growing and aging population is a key challenge to local governments and organizations of the New River Valley.

With current state and federal governments facing deficits, the challenge of meeting basic service and development needs is daunting for our region. The impact on higher education alone (our largest regional employer) is staggering for the economic stability of the New River Valley. Strengthening relationships within and outside the region and creating new ones are the tools at hand to survive and even grow in these difficult times.

The per capita income of the region has increased since 1990, however the New River Valley remains well below the State average. Earning power in the New River Valley is a real challenge to be faced in concert with issues of living wage in our communities. Our labor force changes show an economy that was 36 percent service jobs to one with 47 percent of our labor in the service category. Our industrial job base is shrinking as well. This region must address how we will respond to the changing global economy. We have the resources and human capacity to rise to the challenges of a high technology economy. Our planning and strategic development must build the necessary infrastructure and support to prepare the New River Valley for this change.

At the same time, we can support our loyal industries and businesses that not only provide jobs and stability to this community, they are the basis upon which we will build our new economic future. Innovation is happening in our local businesses and we must be supportive and flexible with our current and emerging industries to meet the demands of a global economy. Educated, talented people who are essential to this economy must be supported, encouraged, and embraced as the economic assets they are to this region.

We must help businesses, organizations, employees and governments see the benefits and opportunities of putting Community First in today’s economy. We are a regional community and in order to be competitive we must know and trust each other as well as believe in our collaborative abilities to move the New River Valley forward successfully.

We are up to the challenges and our strategic planning process has helped us develop tools and concrete action plans for moving this region successfully ahead, putting Community First. There were many elements of this process and the following section lays out the steps and community involvement opportunities that built this important and far-reaching plan for the citizens of the New River Valley.