NRVPDC Newsletter     February - March 2002

• "Transportation Crossroads" in the Spotlight
• NRVPDC Updates
  • Floyd-Floyd County Planning Commission
  • Radford Riverfront Development
  • The Jacksonville Center
  • Local Emergency Planning Committee
  • Town of Narrows Zoning Ordinance
  • Floyd Venture Center
  • Workforce Investment Board
• Incubator Network News
  • New River Valley Competitiveness Center
  • Giles Business Incubator
• NRVPDC Commission Meeting Summaries
  • December 12, 2001
• Town of Pulaski Flood Mitigation Committee

• NRV Economic Indicators

  • Labor Force
  • 2001 Provisional Population Estimates
  • New Vehicle Registrations
• Transportation Advisory Committee Meeting
• Virginia Outdoors Fund Application Deadline
• CALENDARS
  • February 2002
  • March 2002
• Improving Services for Individuals with Medical Barriers
• Notice of CDBG Funds Available
• New River Odyssey
• Vision 2020 Newsletter

The New River Valley has seen the recent completion of major transportation projects such as the improvements to Route 100 across Cloyds Mountain in Pulaski County and the extension of the Rt. 460 Bypass to a new I-81 interchange and collector-distributor roads at Christiansburg. The relatively near future will see completion of the Rt. 460 Bypass connector between Blacksburg and Christiansburg, as well as the replacement of Memorial Bridge connecting Radford and Pulaski County. The Commonwealth Transportation Board and the Virginia Department of Transportation should be commended for their support of and efforts to implement these projects.

The future holds many uncertainties concerning investments in transportation infrastructure. Virginia is at a crossroads of sorts concerning how it plans, funds, and implements improvements to its transportation infrastructure. The Commonwealth has realized that its methodology for financial planning (i.e., estimation of costs and revenues) of transportation improvement programs needs modification. In some regions of Virginia, concerns have been expressed about the adequacy of existing funding sources to meet the demand for transportation improvements. The Commonwealth�s action in response to these issues will affect how transportation needs and priorities are addressed for years to come.

Some transportation-related facts of life: the cost of maintaining existing highways increases over time; costs of new construction and right-of-way acquisition also are subject to upward trends; and Virginia has lower motor vehicle fuel taxes than any of its bordering states (such taxes are a significant source of transportation revenue). Also notable is the shrinking size of southwest Virginia�s delegation in the General Assembly, as population increases more rapidly in other parts of the State.

The Commonwealth has had success in recent years in securing additional funding and implementing innovative funding mechanisms for transportation: TEA-21 (1998), the Federal transportation act, provided Virginia with an increased return on its contributions to the Highway Account of the Highway Trust Fund; the Public Private Transportation Act (PPTA) (1995) was Virginia legislation that authorized consideration of public-private ventures to plan and construct transportation projects and brought private funding and additional finance mechanisms into the mix (note: the recent STAR proposal to improve I-81 was submitted under PPTA); and the Virginia Transportation Act (2000) included new General Fund appropriations for transportation, redirected a portion of the revenue from an existing tax on insurance premiums to transportation, and enabled the Commonwealth to use bonds (guaranteed by Federal transportation funds to be received in the future) to advance the timetable of and finance priority transportation projects.

A potentially useful mechanism already "on the books" is that of transportation districts. Through creation of such districts, member localities may designate funds to be used specifically for transportation improvements or services; for example, transportation districts in northern Virginia provide local share funds, which are used to match Federal and State funds, for transit and commuter rail service.

An important component of Virginia�s transportation future is modes/programs which do not cater to the capacity needs of single occupancy vehicles. In many articles and discussions related to road improvements, it is noted that repeated widening of roads ceases to be physically and financially viable at some point. Transit, ride-share, and passenger rail are examples of programs that can help to maximize the capacity of existing transportation infrastructure. In order for Blacksburg Transit and Ride Solutions (i.e., ride-share program serving the Roanoke Valley and portions of the New River Valley) to continue their missions and maintain their level of service, funding support from the State must continue. The General Assembly allocated some initial capital funds to the proposed passenger rail service between Bristol and Richmond/Washington. Significant additional funding support will be needed to make this rail service a reality.

Virginia is facing many budgetary demands related to transportation. The purpose of this article is not to advocate specific alternatives, but to increase awareness of some of the issues. Main Menu

Floyd-Floyd County Planning Commission

In December 2001, the Floyd County Board of Supervisors approved the new Subdivision Ordinance recommended by the Planning Commission. The new ordinance puts in place policy to prohibit flag-lots, reduce road-side "stripping", and involve the Planning Commission more often in reviewing plats. The ordinance took effect immediately. The Planning Commission is now reviewing a draft of a new Comprehensive Plan. For further information, contact Lydeana Martin, (540)639-9313, ext. 206. Main Menu

Radford Riverfront Development

NRVPDC continues to provide staffing for the Radford Riverfront Development Committee. The most recent meeting focused on the proposed West Street Commercial node, which would be the link between the Riverfront and the downtown. The West End area has views of the River, yet is safely out of the floodplain. Additionally, a group of Radford University planning students has completed a viewshed analysis which will be included in the final report. For further information, contact Lydeana Martin, (540)639-9313, ext. 206. Main Menu

Preliminary work continues for the renovation of the Jacksonville Center as a small business incubator with a cultural focus. The project architect, Architectural Alternatives of Blacksburg, and the Jacksonville Center Building Committee are meeting regularly to finalize the project design that includes partitioning the first floor to provide additional studio/office space for tenants, a gallery/exhibit area and a large multi-purpose meeting and performance area on the second floor. The renovation will also provide for handicap access, restrooms, HVAC and a fire suppression system. Construction is scheduled to begin late April. For further information, contact Janet McNew, (540)639-9313, ext. 202.  Main Menu

The Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) will meet on February 12 to discuss updating the Hazardous Materials Response Plan. The idea is to add a Terrorism Response section to the plan. The LEPC will use the Commonwealth of Virginia�s plan for a guide for their own update For further information, contact Shawn Utt, (540)639-9313, ext. 210. Main Menu

Town of Narrows Zoning Ordinance

The Narrows Planning Commission has held a work session with Town Council concerning changes to the Town Zoning Ordinance. The Planning Commission will meet again to work out issues raised at the work session and submit a revised ordinance to Council for a Public Hearing. The Public Hearing is expected to be held in February. For further information, contact Shawn Utt, (540)639-9313, ext. 210. Main Menu

Floyd Venture Center

NRVPDC staff is continuing to seek grant opportunities for the proposed Floyd Venture Center, a business incubator and community center. Recently, staff submitted a grant application for Virginia Tobacco Indemnification funds. The recent ARC application was not funded. In addition, the North American Free Trade Agreement Program, to provide grant funds to affected localities such as Floyd County, was recently defunded by Congress. For further information, contact Lydeana Martin, (540)639-9313, ext. 206. Main Menu

The New River/Mount Rogers Workforce Investment Board recently approved funding a Community Audit study to be conducted by Virginia Economic Bridge at a cost of $232,400. The audit will be conducted over a twelve (12) month period and will involve the gathering of data, data evaluation and the development of conclusions based on data reviewed. Community Audit components to be included in the report are as follows: Geographic Scope for the Audit, Data Identification and Documentation, Demand Side Analysis, Supply Side Analysis, Community Assets Mapping, Sector and Cluster Analysis, Detailed Occupation and Skills Analysis, Career Ladder Map, Vacancy Survey, and Skills Shortages Identification. The Community Audit report will be utilized by the WIB Strategic Planning Committee in the development of the Workforce Investment Areas Five Year Strategic Plan.Additionally, the Youth Council recently approved funding for a Youth Special Project to Endless Horizons, Inc. of Harrisonburg, Virginia in the amount of $43,000. Endless Horizons will provide a week long camp at its site in Harrisonburg for sixty (60) WIA Youth during the summer of 2002. The program being funded is "Pathways to Leadership" and should prove very beneficial to area Youth. Should this initial program be successful, the Youth Council may consider funding additional sessions throughout the year. For further information, contact Ronnie Martin, (540) 633-6764, ext. 233. Main Menu

New River Valley Competitiveness Center

PPhase 2 Expansion Progress Report:

PMeeting Space Available:

As a reminder, meeting rooms are available for most meeting needs. The Training Room can hold up to 50 occupants and is ideal for classes, seminars, or instruction. The Conference Room provides a more formal setting and is suited for presentations and business meetings. The Conference Room has a rear projection system that can handle data or video media. Audio/visual equipment is also available for use in either room. The fee for the use of a room is only $25 per day, and reservations can be made by calling the number listed below. For more information about the Competitiveness Center and its programs contact Wayne Carpenter, Business Incubator Manager, 540-633-6730, or [email protected]. Main Menu 

Giles Business Incubator

UThe Giles Business Incubator announces the opening of Photographic Salvage & Preservation. Owned and operated by Les Spangler, PSP restores and repairs old pictures. Les� office hours are M-F from 9 am - 5 pm or he can be reached at 726-7888.

UHammering in the Hills, a construction training program, started in January at the Incubator. The students work with a construction trainer and will be building 5 houses in Giles County. The program is funded by a grant received through DHCD.

UA Quilting Class is beginning at the Incubator February 12^th at 6:30 pm. The class is free � students must purchase their own materials. For more information, contact Deb Lindsey at 726-8201.

UThe Incubator still holds GED classes every Monday night from 6-9. For more information, call Tammy Collins at 726-8201. For further information on the GBI, contact Terri Martin at (540) 726-3888 or [email protected]. Main Menu 

/Executive Director�s Report  

Roanoke River Basin Proposed Bi-State Commission - Meeting of NC & VA legislators to be held in Danville on December 17^th from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Rural Prosperity Commission Recommendations - Access to capital of $2 million/year, workforce training and adult education, digital telecom infrastructure, tiered tax incentives for investment, long term institutional support (Center for Rural Development).

Virginia Transportation Development Plan - Plan has been divided into two parts, CIP which will include 4-laning of Route 100 in Giles County and the test bed for the SMART Road in Montgomery County; and Feasibility Plan which includes 4-laning of Route 114 in Christiansburg; connector and interchange for Hubbard, Country Club, and Southgate; interchange for Toms Creek Road-460 in Blacksburg; Henson Avenue Project in Pearisburg; 4-laning of Rt. 99 E Main Street and bridge replacement at Duncan Avenue in Pulaski Town; traffic signal at RU entrance and reconstruction of Tyler Avenue in Radford.

Transportation - I-81 travel information found at www.travelshenandoah.com and TransDominion Express found at www.tdxinfo.org.   Bob Asbury, retiring Radford City Manager, was recognized by the TAC for his service.

Education Committee Report - The Committee is focusing on shared staffing of AP type classes with distance learning and the creation of a "regional alternative school". Dr. Harvey stated that in order to complete the survey of employees which the PDC is conducting, the Committee asked the PDC to request the WIB to increase their funding by $25,000. Discussion followed among Commissioners concerning students in need of some type of alternative schooling.

The January 2002 Commission meeting was canceled, the next meeting will be February 28, 2002. 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.  Main Menu

Town of Pulaski Flood Mitigation Committee

The Pulaski Flood Mitigation Committee (PFMC) has been meeting since October 2001. The Committee was set up to assist the Town with a FEMA CRS application that may lead to lower flood insurance rates for town residents. The Committee meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month and the meetings are open to the public. Current issues facing the Committee are possible projects that can help alleviate the flooding problems along Peak Creek, as well as outreach programs the Town can use to educate the Town�s residents on how to flood-proof their homes along with other flood related topics. For further information, contact Shawn Utt, (540) 639-9313, ext. 210. Main Menu