NRVPDC Newsletter    February - March 2001

• "Jacksonville Center Receives Funding" in the Spotlight
• NRVPDC Updates
  • Floyd County Comprehensive Plan and Regional Commerce Center 
  • Welfare Reform II:  The Partners for Self-Sufficiency
  • Glen Lyn Comprehensive Plan
  • Tyler Avenue/Rt. 177 Corridor
  • Transportation Technical Advisory Committee(TAC)
  • Workforce Investment Board
• Incubator Network News
  • New River Valley Competitiveness Center
  • Giles Business Incubator
• NRVPDC Commission Meeting Summaries
  • December 14, 2000
  • January 25, 2001

• NRV Economic Indicators

  • Labor Force
  • New Vehicle Registrations
• Census 2000 Data Products
• CALENDARS
  • February 2001
  • March 2001
• Farewell and Good Luck Patrick
• Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) Grant Applications
• Vision 2020 Newsletter
  

The Jacksonville Center in Floyd County has just been awarded $148,000 in federal grant funding. This funding will enable the renovation of the Center which will serve as a small business incubator with a cultural focus. It will provide space for businesses which primarily emphasize arts, crafts, and other tourism-related endeavors including a theater. The United States Department of Agriculture�s Rural Development agency is providing $99,000, while the Appalachian Regional Commission is adding $49,000, for a total federal investment of $148,000. Congressman Rick Boucher recently visited Floyd to make the announcement.

The total renovation costs will be $402,000. The federal money will supplement a state grant from the Virginia Department of Business Assistance. The Town of Floyd and the County are each contributing $1,000 and the Jacksonville Center is providing $2,000 of privately raised funds.

The incubator will be a focal point of a heritage-tourism area that includes many established artists and artisans, retail craft and other unique shops, cultural events and festivals, historic sites, and local-flavored hospitality businesses. The role of the business incubator will be to pull visitors into the County by creating an extensive showcase of local artists, artisans, and businesses. Floyd County is a great keeper of the arts--from the traditional crafts to New Age pieces. Travelers will find many local one-of-a-kind creations. The Incubator will also provide affordable space and business support to entrepreneurs. Moreover, it will also help establish markets for tenants� products and enhance their business through technology, networking, and collaborations.

The Center, based on the Town�s name when it was first incorporated, is an old agricultural complex. It is integrating prime location (along the five-mile Corridor connecting the Blue Ridge Parkway with the Town of Floyd), great artistic talent, community spirit and technology in its many activities. The Jacksonville Center has concurrently developed the Regional Tourism Center (already open on weekends in peak season) and the Heritage Trails inventory, both of which are highly complimentary to the incubator concept.

To attain full viability, the Jacksonville Center requires complete renovation. The main structure is a 10,000+ square foot, two-story barn situated on a 4-acre parcel. This $402,000 project will enable the partitioning and finishing of the first floor, as well as installation of a heating and air conditioning system, and thorough insulation throughout the building. When completed, the incubator will house about 20 small business tenants. Also, handicap access, restrooms, and a fire suppression system will be provided. The site will be improved with a safer driveway and larger parking area. This funding will also begin the renovation of the second floor which will be renovated and opened as the Hayloft Theater. The theater will be used for the production of plays, dances, musical performances, and other community events. For further information, contact Lydeana Martin at (540) 639-9313, ext. 206. Main Menu

Floyd County has just received notice of $1 million in grant funds from the Economic Development Administration for the Floyd Regional Commerce Center. These federal funds will provide for site improvements such as grading and the installation of water and sewer lines to Floyd County�s new industrial center. The total project is approximately $1.8 million, with $420,000 to come from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development and $375,000 anticipated from the Virginia Department of Transportation. For further information, contact Lydeana Martin, (540)639-9313, ext. 206. Main Menu

Welfare Reform II: The Partners for Self-Sufficiency

Two months ago, the five New River Valley Department of Social Services, known collectively as the Partners for Self-Sufficiency (PSS), submitted a joint grant application to the Commonwealth requesting funding for several innovative programs. These include creating a database to help systematically evaluate clients� barriers to employment, implementing a regional job-readiness/job retention circuit operated by the New River Community College, and conducting more extensive assessments of clients through contracting with private service providers. PSS received an initial letter of interest for three out of four of their proposal components, and they are currently meeting with community partners to address questions raised by the selection committee. After the addendum is submitted, funding for these projects could begin as early as March, 2001. PSS has also made strides in the area of childcare by working with local childcare taskforces to conduct childcare needs assessments in each jurisdiction. The New River Planning District Commission will oversee data collection and analysis. For further information, contact Raquel Becerra, (540)639-9313, ext. 209. Main Menu

Glen Lyn Comprehensive Plan

A public hearing has been held on the Comprehensive Plan update in Glen Lyn. The Glen Lyn Planning Commission has recommended the Plan to Town Council. Following clarification of the Future Land Use Guide, Town Council is expected to adopt this Plan. For further information, contact Lydeana Martin, (540)639-9313, ext. 206. Main Menu

Tyler Avenue/Rt. 177 Corridor

In the final piece of the 177 Corridor Study, the Montgomery County and City of Radford planning staffs have met with NRVPDC staff to review the 50 percent open space requirement. A "decision tree" document is being developed by the NRVPDC staff which will allow for a reduced open space requirement if development plans meet certain conditions. These conditions require plans to significantly surpass the minimum zoning standards in traffic flow and access, storm water management, and project quality. For further information, contact Lydeana Martin, (540)639-9313, ext. 206. Main Menu

Transportation Technical Advisory Committee (TAC)

At the December meeting, NRVPDC staff reported to the TAC that Passenger Rail Service is still on the drawing board, according to the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT). Three stops (Christiansburg, Radford and Pulaski) are still planned in the New River Valley. DRPT continues to negotiate with Norfolk Southern concerning use of its tracks. Staff also reported on Planning District Three�s model for delivering transit service, which is an expansion of a service to elderly and disabled citizens. The four-town transit service (Abingdon, Galax, Wytheville and Marion) has now been operating for several years. The service operates primarily on a demand-response basis, with a limited number of fixed routes. This was recommended as a model for the New River Valley, with the New River Valley Senior Services (NRVSS) serving as the "platform" for provision of broader transit service. A proposal should likely involve NRVSS, Blacksburg Transit, and DRPT. Service could be implemented on a phased-in basis as in District Three. Staff emphasized that while buses are important in transit, a regional transit program should give attention to rideshare/vanpool efforts, park and ride facilities, and connections to other modes.  

At its February meeting, the Transportation Technical Advisory Committee will discuss Work Program Development for FY 2002 and draft comments for the 2001 Commonwealth Transportation Board hearing. For further information, contact Lydeana Martin, (540)639-9313, ext. 206. Main Menu

The New River/Mount Rogers Workforce Investment Board recently received full spending authority for all WIA funds allocated for Program Year 2000. The NR/MR WIB is one of only two workforce investment areas in the state to have received this authorization.

Currently the WIB is involved with gathering data to complete the local area strategic plan, which must be submitted to the state prior to April 1, 2001. Additionally, a competitive procurement process is ongoing to select one-stop centers, one-stop operators, and service deliverers for all WIA and Welfare-to-Work programs for the next program year beginning July 1, 2001.

The implementation of the Workforce Investment Act in the New River/Mount Rogers area is rapidly progressing thanks to the efforts of the Chief Local Elected Officials Consortium.  For further information, contact Ronnie Martin, (540) 633-6764, ext. 233. Main Menu

Tenant News

At the end of December, Boyer-Crawford, Inc. moved their showroom from the Competitiveness Center to one of their new townhouses. The room they vacated was immediately occupied by another tenant, Expert Automation, Inc., who was desperate for office space. This room provided them with another 650 sq. ft. which provides work space for four employees.

On January 8, Brightside Press, owned by Hilda May Person, moved into a large manufacturing bay. May is a publisher of non-fiction, short run books, specializing in producing 200 to 2,000 copies. She began her business in Nashville, Tennessee, and moved back to the New River Valley where she grew up. We welcome May and wish her luck. To learn more about Brightside Press or information on publishing your work, call May at (540) 633-6747.

Brightside Press is offering workshops on "Getting In Print" for all interested writers, educators, clergy, businesses, and organizations. Topics include: finding a publisher, steps in self-publishing, manuscript preparation, marketing, and book printing costs and options. Workshops are taught by May Person who has an extensive background in publishing and printing. She served three years on the Executive Board of the Tennessee Writers Alliance and is an editor and consultant for writers. For information on workshop dates, call Brightside Press, (540) 633-6747.

The Center is adding 20,000 sq. ft. of office and manufacturing space that will double the size of the incubator. The funding is coming from a combination of Economic Development Administration and Virginia Department of Business Assistance grants and a loan from the National Bank of Blacksburg. Architectural Alternatives, Inc. has been selected as the architect for the project. Plans and specifications are being developed now and construction is expected to begin in six to eight months. Watch for the Center�s growth. For further information on the Center, contact Wayne Carpenter at (540) 633-6731. Main Menu

Giles Business Incubator

Dr. Robert Seiple has expanded his practice. Due to his increasing client load, Dr. Seiple has moved upstairs into two suites at the incubator. We wish him the best for continued success!

Anita Hines from the Radford University Business Assistance Center held a Business Start-Up Seminar at the Incubator in January. She covered topics on how to start a business and be successful.

Giles Business Incubator is working with an area CPA firm to offer a tax seminar to businesses in the area sometime within the next month. Details are still pending at this time.

A Kung Fu class is being offered at the Incubator on Wednesday and Friday nights. For more information please call 726-2116. For more information on being an incubator tenant, contact Ms. Terri Martin at (540) 726-3888 or [email protected]. Main Menu

December 14, 2000

Executive Committee Report - The Executive Committee met and discussed per capita rates for the 2001-2002 fiscal year and recommended the rate be set at 73 cents per capita using 1998 population estimates. The Commission approved the Executive Committee�s recommendation.

Executive Director's Report - 

VAPDC Winter Conference will hold their winter meeting on February 7 in Richmond.

Grants - (1) Governor Gilmore announced that the New River Valley Development Corporation will be granted $250,000 to help with the 20,000 square foot expansion of the Competitiveness Center, (2)VDOT announced secondary road surface treatment projects in Giles (14 mi.), Montgomery (12 mi.), Pulaski (23 mi.), and Floyd (87 mi.).

The Chmura Report, which provides an overview of the New Century Region Economy, was provided to the Commissioners.

Commission staff provided pre-hearing workshop assistance to the Rural Virginia Prosperity Commission on November 21, 2000.

Rural Transportation Planning will continue with VDOT being more involved. PDC 4 is at the top in the ARC region.

Staff Changes - Cindy Miller, Criminal Justice Planner, has taken a part-time position with New River Community College, but will also work with the PDC on a part-time basis until June. Jan Reynolds, Information Systems Manager, will no longer have receptionist duties, she will be concentrating on information management and preparing for 2000 Census data. Kim Alger has been hired as Office Manager and will take over some of Jan�s duties. Shawn Utt has been hired as a Regional Planner who will focus on Disability Services and grant writing. Main Menu

January 25, 2001

Executive Director�s Report

Congressman Boucher announced $148,000 grant funds to assist in the Jacksonville Center renovation, and $1,000,000 to assist in the development of the Floyd Industrial Park.

The Office of Management and Budget has developed new guidelines for Core Based Statistical Areas. These guidelines add the new category, micropolitan statistical area to the previously defined metropolitan statistical areas. Implementation of the new guideline will be 2003. Between now and then agencies and organizations will begin determining relationships to the two types of statistical areas.

Community Development Block Grant priorities will be discussed and set at the February meeting.

Staff Changes - Patrick Burton, Transportation Planner, has taken a position with the Mount Rogers Planning District Commission. He will be sorely missed. Main Menu

All Commission meetings are open to the public and are held on the fourth Thursday of every month, 7:30 p.m., at 6580 Valley Center Drive, in Fairlawn, VA.

Labor Force

The NRV's 2^nd quarter wage data for 1999 and 2000 show an increase in average employment of 1,863 (2.8%) persons. The weekly wage increased ($14 or 2.9%) as did the number of establishments (41 or 1.2%).