New River Valley News & Views

NRVPDC Staff would like to wish each of you a very
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

In this issue...

• "Y2K - A Local Emergency Planning Alert" in the Spotlight
• Virginia's First Regional Industrial Facility Authority
• NRVPDC Updates
  • Giles County Comprehensive Plan
  • Rich Creek Comprehensive Plan
  • Pulaski County Comprehensive Plan
  • New River Valley Regional Jail
• Nonprofit Database
• Benchmarks and Indicators
• Moms, Pops, and Tots
• Narrows Downtown Revitalization
• Incubator Network News
  • New River Valley Competitiveness Center
  • Giles Business Incubator
• NRVPDC Commission Meeting Summaries
  • October 22, 1998
• 11th Annual Dinner Meeting
• NRV Economic Indicators
  • Taxable Sales
  • Quarterly Employment and Wage Data
• Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century
• Calendars
  • December 1998
  • January 1999
• Decisions, Decisions, Decisions for Transitional Housing
• Kellogg MIRA Training is Complete!!!

"Y2K - a Local Emergency Planning Alert" in the Spotlight

By now most of you have heard of the Y2K, or Millennium Bug, issue. It's origin is so "simple" that its far reaching impact is sometimes a little difficult to grasp. The "problem" originated in the early days of computer development. In order to save valuable and limited computer data space, programmers used only the last two digits to recognize the year, instructing the computers to assume 19 as the first two numbers. Thus, January 1, 2000 will read January 1, 1900.

What are some of the potential problems? Those date sensitive embedded microprocessor units are located in many modern cars, traffic signals, electric power stations, railroad switching stations, phone company systems, bank vault doors, building security systems, public water treatment plants, etc. Many of these systems could fail on (or before) January 1, 2000. And the computer systems for some of the larger government agencies, like the IRS, the military, air traffic control, social services, and retirement systems are not, and are not likely to be, Y2K compliant in time. Additionally, while many individual companies are working independently to bring their own computer systems into Y2K compliance, few groups are working together to determine community needs.

What can you do? The first step is to educate yourself. The following is a list of government and information agency Y2K Internet sites. Check them out and find out what is going on and then begin working in your local communities to coordinate Y2K Emergency Response Plans.

• The Y2K Watch: - http://y2kwatch.com/ - (Home of Elenburg's Y2K WEATHERMAN REPORT)
• The Year 2000 Information Center/Millennium Bug: - http://www.year2000.com/
• Electric Utilities & Year 2000:- http://www.euy2k.com
• Eric Utne's Y2K book includes a section on questions citizen's (and local leaders) should ask their local governments - http://www.utne.com/y2k
• Dr. Ed Yardeni's Y2K Information:- http://www.yardeni.com/cyber.html
• NSTL's Year 2000 Compliance Testing Program:- http://www.nstl.com/html/ymark_2000.html (Software to test the Y2K compliance of PC's)

For more comprehensive site listings and Y2K documents contact Pat Therrien (540) 639-9314. Main Menu

Virginia's First Regional Industrial Facility Authority

In an unprecedented show of regional cooperation, 15 localities from three planning districts in western Virginia have formed Virginia's First Regional Industrial Facility Authority to improve the economic condition of the region. Member localities are: the counties of Bland, Giles, Pulaski, Wythe, Craig, Montgomery, and Roanoke; the cities of Roanoke, Radford, and Salem; and the towns of Christiansburg, Narrows, Pulaski, Dublin, and Pearisburg.

Authorized under the 1996 Virginia Regional Industrial Facilities Act, the localities are working together to establish a regional industrial park to attract a large high technology industry to the region. The development of such a facility has been called for in Vision 2020, the strategic plan for the New River Valley, as well as the strategic plans for the New Century Council, and the Fifth and Mount Rogers Planning Districts.

The Authority is now pursuing financing options for the development of 1000 acre plus industrial park capable of supporting sites in the 150 to 200 acre range, and is defining terms of participation for localities desiring to participate in the development of the industrial park. For further information, contact Dave Rundgren, (540) 639-1524. Main Menu

NRVPDC UPDATES

Giles County Comprehensive Plan

The Giles County Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission held a joint work session November 10 to review and edit the final draft of the Comprehensive Plan. Few changes were made to the draft, due, in part, to the teamwork approach of the Planning Commission and citizens of Giles County serving on the Update Subcommittee. The next work session is scheduled for mid- December to review the edits incorporated in the Plan. A public hearing is tentatively scheduled for early January 1999. For further information, contact Gregg Zody, (540)639-9313. Main Menu

Rich Creek Comprehensive Plan

NRVPDC staff have begun updating the Town of Rich Creek's Comprehensive Plan. NRVPDC staff conducted a facilitation workshop with the Town's Planning Commission to identify goals and policies for the next 20 years. Commissioners identified projects for each of the four goal areas: Land Use, Community Facilities, Economic Development, and Housing. The next step in the update process is to examine current land use within the Town and its immediate environs to determine appropriate future land use. For further information, contact Gregg Zody, (540)639-9313. 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. For further information, contact Gregg Zody, (540)639-9313. Main Menu

New River Valley Regional Jail

Construction of the new jail facility continues to proceed on schedule. Overall, seventy-five percent of the work is complete. The administrative section of the building is expected to be finished in December and the Superintendent of the facility, Ralph Dobbins, and his staff plan to move into the building at this point. Final completion is anticipated for March 1999. An open house is being planned for mid-March and the public will be welcome. For more information concerning the facility, please contact either Ralph Dobbins at (540) 674-1130 or Alexandra Hall at (540) 639-9313. Main Menu

• The Nonprofit database has had 1,044 queries. The Voluntary Action Center will expand on this database as part of the work they do with their Kellogg Foundation grant; they plan to identify volunteer opportunities with nonprofit groups and link or add them to the database.
• A benchmarks & indicators report for the New Century Region, which includes the New River Valley, was released in September.
• Moms, Pops, and Tots began meeting this fall in both the Giles and Pulaski County Libraries. The Totlinks program, which Moms, Pops & Tots is modeled on, meets in Montgomery County. Literacy Volunteers of America, a partner in this project, provides information on how and what to read to children, as well as books for the children. The Carilion grant which was awarded to this project, will also provide books. Contact Rachael DeHaven at the Pulaski County Library, 980-7770, for more information.
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Narrows Downtown Revitalization

• The Narrows downtown facade improvements will be underway by the time you receive this newsletter; completion is scheduled for early 1999. This work will be coordinated with the ISTEA grant Narrows received, as well as with the Route 61 re-alignment.
• Narrows will light up with the Snowflake Festival, a town-wide seasonal lights display, starting at dusk the evening of Thanksgiving, November 26th. Narrows received state Tourism Department funding this year and is known in the New River Valley and West Virginia for its holiday spirit. Come enjoy the show! For further information, contact Lesley Howard, (540) 639-9313.

INCUBATOR NETWORK NEWS

New River Valley Competitiveness Center

The Competitiveness Center is nearing completion. The expected finish date is early 1999. All exterior work is complete. The parking areas will be paved before Thanksgiving. The work on the exterior portion of the metal building is complete and the interior walls are being erected and painted. The roofing is done and the electrical and heating systems are well underway.

We are writing requests for proposals for equipment and furniture for the building. We have spoken with several vendors concerning phone service, computer networks, and furniture.

Kay Hauschildt has scheduled presentations on the Competitiveness Center for early 1999. If you would like to have one for your organization, please contact the Development Office.

We have several prospects for tenants for both the Regional Office side and the incubator. We are working to help individuals devise business plans and complete loan applications for small business financing.

On November 17-19, Kay attended a seminar on Incubators and Related Strategies in Abingdon, VA. This training was hosted by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (VDHCD). She also worked with the staff of VDHCD to finalize plans for the $25,000 grant to make loans for new small businesses.

Again, we would like to begin compiling a list of business men and women who are willing to serve as mentors to startup businesses. If you or someone you know can provide guidance to these organizations, please contact Kay Hauschildt at (540) 639-9314. Main Menu

Giles Business Incubator

The Giles Business Incubator added another tenant, Earthworks, in October. This small business plans to promote Virginia artisans by carrying limited editions in its mail order catalog. For more information, please contact Anita Hines, Operations Manager of the Giles Business Incubator, at (540) 726-3888 / [email protected].  Main Menu

NRVPDC Commission Meeting Summaries

October 22, 1998

• Planning Commissions Annual Meeting - The October meeting of the Planning District Commission is an abbreviated one. The focus of the October meeting is a joint gathering of all of the local planning commissions and the Planning District Commission. The meeting encourages local planning commissioners to discuss planning issues with their peers from other localities.
• Commission on the Future of Southwest Virginia - The Planning District Commission members were invited to a meeting in Abingdon to discuss the sections of the Southwest Virginia report which could be implemented by the planning district commissions. Seven Commissioners attended the meeting. One of the recommendations is for the PDCs to conduct a joint airport study to provide Southwestern Virginia improved passenger air service. Protection of prime industrial lands was also recommended by the Southwest Commission as being necessary to ensure long term expansion of the industrial base. A third recommendation of the Commission which the PDCs might implement is an annual forum for all of the local governments in the District. Consideration for action on these recommendations was tabled until the next meeting.
• ARC and EDA Reauthorized - Mr. Rundgren reported that Congress has passed reauthorization bills for both the Appalachian Regional Commission and the Economic Development Administration. The ARC reauthorization is for a three-year period. The EDA reauthorization is for a five-year period.

  There was no November Commission Meeting due to the Thanksgiving Holiday. The next meeting will be held December 10, 1998, 7:30 PM, at the Commission offices in Radford.

11^th Annual Dinner Meeting

The 11^th Annual Dinner Meeting of the Planning Commissions in the New River Valley was held October 22, 1998 at Chateau Morrisette in Floyd, VA. Over 100 people came to share in the conversation and updates on the work of the Planning Commissions across the Valley. The guest speaker was the Honorable Roscoe Reynolds who discussed financing of infrastructure and schools. His speech was very well received according to many of the participants. The 12^th Annual Dinner Meeting will be held the 4^th Thursday of October in 1999 in Giles County, as they generously volunteered to be the co-host for the next dinner. Mark your calendars now! Main Menu

NRV Economic Indicators

Taxable Sales

The dollar amount of taxable sales increased in all NRV jurisdictions between the 1^st and 2^nd quarters of 1998 with the exception of Giles County ($69,320 decrease). Montgomery County experienced the largest increase $21,611,834, with Pulaski County showing the next largest increase, $12,613,146. Between the 1^st and 2^nd quarters of 1997, Montgomery County experienced the largest increase and the City of Radford showed the only decrease.

Quarterly Employment and Wage Data

The NRV's 4^th quarter wage data for 1997 and 1998 show an increase in average employment of 1,750 persons (2.9%). The average wage increased ($80 or 3.7%), as well as the number of establishments (71 or 2.1%).

Transportation Equity Act for the 21^st Century

The new Federal transportation funding legislation, the Transportation Equity Act for the 21^st Century (TEA 21), most notably guarantees that each state will receive transportation program funding which is at least 90.5 percent of its contribution to the Highway Account of the Highway Trust Fund. This is already resulting in an increase in Federal transportation funding for Virginia. Among TEA 21's other provisions are the following:

Access to Jobs. TEA 21 created a new Job Access and Reverse Commute Grants Program to develop transportation services for welfare recipients and low-income individuals.

Appalachian Development Highway System. Continued funding is provided for construction of the Appalachian Development Highway System. A total of $2.25 billion is authorized for FY 1999-2003.

National Corridor Planning. The new National Corridor Planning and Development Program will provide funding for the planning, design, and construction of corridors of national significance, economic growth, and international or inter-regional trade.

Transportation and Community and System Preservation Pilot Program. This Program is a comprehensive initiative to investigate the relationships between transportation and community and system preservation and private sector-based initiatives. Under this Program, state and local governments are eligible for grants to address these issues.

Other notable provisions include: participation by local elected officials in transportation planning processes; innovative finance and value pricing; magnetic levitation technology demonstration program; intelligent transportation systems; university transportation centers; and transportation enhancement grants. For further information, contact Patrick Burton, (540) 639-9313.  Main Menu

Calendars

December 1998

December 1 - Blacksburg PC Meeting - 7:30PM

December 7 - Floyd PC Meeting - 7:30PM

December 8 - Montgomery/Blacksburg LEPC-C'Burg-ARC - 3:00PM

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

December 10 - NRVPDC Commission Meeting - 7:30PM

December 11 - New River Regional Jail-NRVPDC - 9:30AM

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

December 16 - Montgomery PC Meeting - 7:00PM

December 21 - Radford PC Meeting - 7:00PM

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

January 1999

January 4 - Floyd PC Meeting - 7:30PM

January 5 - Blacksburg Town PC Meeting - 7:30PM

January 8 - New River Regional Jail - 9:30AM

January 11 - Pulaski Town PC Meeting - 7:00PM

January 12 - Giles PC Meeting - 7:00PM and Pulaski PC Meeting - 7:00PM

January 18 - Radford PC Meeting - 7:00PM

January 19 - RPOTAC Meeting - C'Burg - 1:30PM

January 20 - Montgomery PC Meeting - 7:00PM

January 28 - NRVPDC Commission Meeting - 7:30PM

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

The Transitional Housing planning grant project is moving forward. The Housing Partnership of the New River Valley is close to making some big decisions that will actually put some shape on this much needed project. Within the month, the Partnership hopes to have selected an architectural/engineering firm to conduct an assessment of three potential sites in the region and then prepare a final Preliminary Engineering Report on the chosen site. The Partnership is also working to determine which organization within the Partnership will manage the facility and provide services to the clients, as well as investigating financing for operating the facility. For further information, contact Mary Hall at (540) 639-9313.Main Menu

Kellogg MIRA Training is Complete!!!

On Saturday, November 21, 1998, the community teams completed their final training session for the Kellogg MIRA grant program. The final workshop, consisting of sessions on Coalition Building, Conflict Management and Using Technology as a Tool, wraps up six months of leadership and project development training for participants. We have been averaging about 120 participants per session, so this training truly has had a wide and diverse impact in our region. There will be a potluck awards celebration to mark the successful completion of this portion of the program on December 3^rd, 6:30 pm, in the Christiansburg High School Commons Area. All team members and interested citizens are welcome to attend.

Team proposals for community projects are due January 15, 1999 and mini grants will be awarded by mid March 1999. Each team has the opportunity to apply for $15,000 to be used in a community based project that involves communication technology. Project themes in the New River Valley are ranging from oral history development to enhancing childcare access. For more information about the Kellogg MIRA program or team projects, contact Holly Lesko, 552-3035 or [email protected].Main Menu