• "New River Valley Expands" in the Spotlight
• NRVPDC Updates
  • Pulaski County Comprehensive Plan
  • Floyd County Comprehensive Plan and Subdivision Ordinance 
  • Radford Comprehensive Plan
  • Welfare Reform II:  The Partners for Self-Sufficiency
  • Virginia 177/Tyler Avenue Corridor Study Update
  • Workforce Investment Board
  • Commerce Park
• Incubator Network News
  • New River Valley Competitiveness Center
  • Giles Business Incubator
• NRVPDC Commission Meeting Summaries
  • August 24, 2000
  • September 28, 2000
• NRV Economic Indicators
  • Labor Force
  • Unemployment
• New River Access Initiative
• New Six Year Transportation Plan
• New River Valley Port of Entry
• CALENDARS
  • October 2000
  • November 2000
• Good Bye and Good Luck Sid!
• 13th Annual Dinner Meeting
• Vision 2020 Newsletter
  

The New River Valley Planning District Commission spent much of FY 1999 addressing the composition of the Commission. It was felt that the smaller towns and the Universities should have seats at the regional table to discuss the changes taking place, and the opportunities to increase cooperation within the region and the competitiveness of the region in Virginia and beyond. Effective July 1, 2000, the Board of Commissioners expanded from 17 to 24 members.

The new members include:

• two representatives of Virginia Tech; Mr. Spencer Hall and Mr. John Phillips

• one representative of Radford University; Mr. David Burdette

• and one elected representative from Pearisburg, Mr. Steve Stewart; Narrows, Mr. Tom Garrett; Rich Creek, Mayor Gary Eaton; and Floyd, Mr. Robert Shelor

Other new members include: Howard Spencer, Giles County who replaces Bill Freeman; and Tom Owen, Pulaski County who replaces Joe Morgan.

The new members join in addressing the physical, social, and economic needs of the region. Cooperative action has greatly benefitted the region's development. By combining time, talents, and resources the region is capable of accomplishing much more than can be achieved individually. Therefore, we appreciate each member's time and effort put into the Commission. For further information on Commission activities, please contact Dave Rundgren, Executive Director, (540) 639-9313, ext. 212.

NRVPDC Commissioners

All meetings are open to the public and are held on the fourth Thursday of every month, 7:30 p.m. at the New River Valley Competitiveness Center, Fairlawn, VA. Main Menu

Volume 2 of the Pulaski County Comprehensive Plan update has been modified as directed by the members of the Pulaski County Planning Commission. The Planning Commission met on September 26^th and finalized the draft and recommended the Comprehensive Plan for a public hearing to be held on October 10^th. For further information, contact Dave Rundgren, (540)639-9313, ext. 212. Main Menu

As part of the task of updating the County Comprehensive Plan, the Floyd County Planning Commission discussed land use/development trends and potential future land use map designations at a meeting held on September 5th. A public hearing on the draft revised Subdivision Ordinance will be held on October 3, 2000, 7:30 p.m., at the Floyd County Courthouse. For further information, contact Dave Rundgren, (540)639-9313, ext. 212. Main Menu

At a work session of the Radford Planning Commission, PDC staff facilitated a brainstorming session in which the Planning Commission members identified issues/concerns which they believe will be important in Radford's future. Similar meetings will be held in neighborhoods around the City with citizens participating in the sessions. The meetings are a first step in the process of updating the City of Radford's Comprehensive Plan. For further information, contact Dave Rundgren, (540)639-9313, ext. 212. Main Menu

The five New River Valley Departments of Social Services, known collectively as the Partners for Self-Sufficiency (PSS), are working with the New River Valley Planning District Commission to determine current needs and opportunities for local and regional demonstration projects. The Partners for Self-Sufficiency used information collected at five community brainstorming sessions to help them set priorities and directions during the next phase of welfare reform implementation. Over the next three years, PSS will target several strategic priority areas--diversion and prevention, childcare and work/family resources, transportation, and client assessment. PSS is looking forward to continued collaborative successes with their partnering agencies, local governments, and the private and volunteer sectors. The future lies in building stable partnerships. For further information, contact Raquel Becerra, (540)639-9313, ext. 209. Main Menu

At its August meeting, the Study Steering Committee finalized a draft of the Corridor Study Update document for public review and set the date, Sept. 21 for a public meeting to gather comments on the draft update document. Copies of the draft Corridor Study Update document with announcements about the Sept. 21 public meeting were mailed to the more than 350 landowners in the Corridor and other interested citizens.

At the public meeting on Sept. 21, PDC staff gave a presentation on the draft findings and recommendations of the Corridor Study Steering Committee. Committee recommendations touched on the following issues: emergency services; future land use; land use planning; stormwater management; and water and sewer service. Several citizens/landowners who addressed the Committee expressed concern about the 50% open space requirement in zoning ordinances for the Corridor and asked the Committee to recommend that this requirement be reduced. The Steering Committee will take the public comments into consideration in finalizing the Corridor Study Update. The Committee's next meeting will be held on October 5th at 7:00 p.m. at the Bethel School. For further information, contact Patrick Burton, (540) 639-9313, ext. 205. Main Menu

The local Workforce Investment Board is currently in the process of finalizing the establishment of five (5) comprehensive One-Stop Centers located in Radford, Wytheville, Galax, Marion, and Bristol. All One-Stop Centers are located in the current Virginia Employment Commission facilities and will offer a wide array of services to all customers, both job seekers and employers. 

Efforts are ongoing in the development of local workforce systems and processes. This includes finalizing the area Strategic Plan, developing Memorandums of Understanding with One-Stop Program Partners, and completing the certification of the local Youth Council. Board staff are working with the Chief Local Elected Officials, Workforce Investment Board, and Youth Council members to provide support in the development of required systems. Tremendous progress has been made in these efforts, and staff is optimistic that all workforce systems will be in place within the next few months. These efforts will ensure that all customers have access to needed services provided in a one-stop environment. For further information, contact Ronnie Martin, (540) 633-6764, ext. 233. Main Menu

On Sept. 16, Congressman Rick Boucher announced that the Commerce Park project will receive a $500,000 grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC). The ARC grant funds will be used in Phase One construction of the Commerce Park. Phase One of the Commerce Park, which will be located adjacent to the New River Valley Airport, is being developed by 12 localities through a joint regional initiative. For further information, contact Dave Rundgren, (540) 639-9313, ext. 212. Main Menu

Competitiveness Center Begins Mentoring Program - The Competitiveness Center is forming a team of mentors willing to give some time or resources to assist tenants in their growth and offer them the best opportunity to succeed. They need experienced people who can help with all areas of business growth and planning, especially legal, accounting, marketing, planning, and administration. If you are interested, please, call Wayne Carpenter, Business Incubator Manager at (540) 633-6730.

McIntyre & Associates Join Center as a New Business Tenant - McIntyre & Associates is a new tenant that joined the Center on August 1. They provide installation, information transfer, maintenance, project management and other services related to the Unix platform and Oracle database systems. The business is owned by James McIntyre, Beck Smith, and Bryan McKinney. They rent a 382 sq. ft. office space in the Center. For information call 633-5272 or 633-6379. Main Menu

Giles Business Incubator's first Director, Anita Hines, accepted a position at the Radford University's Business Assistance Center as a business analyst and counselor. As Director since 1997, Ms. Hines assisted in counseling and business development for over 30 businesses/entrepreneurs, including fourteen incubator tenants. Giles County business owners can access the Business Assistance Center's services by phoning her at (540) 831-6056 or scheduling an appointment with the GBI at 726-3888. She still serves as a GBI Board member and continues as a Virginia Business Incubation Association Board member at the State level. Patricia Brookman, former Giles Business Incubator Board member, is serving as Interim Director while the Director applicant reviews are conducted.

Giles Business Incubator welcomes the newest tenant, Workforce Development Council, to Narrows. The Workforce Development Council provides counseling and resources for employment searches to qualified applicants. You may contact the local representative at (540) 726-3226 or Director, Linda Matthews at 674-1721.

Dr. Robert Seiple, Mindworks, will be conducting two classes based upon Kung Fu. Classes will be held each Wednesday evening at the incubator for a minimal charge. For more information, contact Dr. Seiple at 726-2116.

C&M Designs' owner, Robbin Quick, is partnering with a Northern Virginia entrepreneur in creating a new product line of infant wear and new mother literature. This uniquely packaged product is currently in the "buyer" stage at Baby-R-Us.

Your Pet's Closet, Inc, a division of C&M Designs, placed dog coats in the Virginia Tech bookstores this fall and promptly sold all the product. These coats are in high HOKIE demand. Visit their website at www.yourpetscloset.com to order. For further information on the GBI, please call (540) 726-3888. Main Menu

August 24, 2000

• Executive Director's Report - Mr. Rundgren reported on the following items: 1) Unemployment for June - in the District has risen from 3.5% to 3.8% with 3,089 persons reported as unemployed. Floyd County rose (4.8% to 8.3%) because of a number of plant closings. Giles County went down from 7.0% to 4.7%; 2) New River Foreign Trade Zone & User Fee Airport - there have been 722 formal entries and $60 million in value cleared; 3) Commerce Park - Phase I-326 acres; 4) Floyd Industrial Park - EDA Grant under review; 5) Disability Services Board - staff evaluated handicapped access to District polling places, prepared a brochure, and distributed ADA guidelines; 7) Pretrial Program - authorized for Regional Jail localities, considering jail based vs community based program; 8) New River Valley Magnet School of Information Technology - training for previously unavailable workforce, coordinating with SW Virginia's Governor's School; 9) Juvenile Detention - home authorized to undertake construction of a gym; 10) Department of Social Services Needs Assessment - conducted with each jurisdiction; 11) New River Access Project (portage at Claytor Lake, Radford Access, Pulaski Access/Camping, Whitt Riverbend, educational materials, mapping) - PDC applicant to EDA; 12) New River Valley Competitiveness Center - 20,000 sq.ft. expansion, EDA grant being reviewed for $2,000,000; 13) Transitional Housing - CDBG received by Women's Resource Center, contract awarded & construction underway; 14) Jacksonville Center - Craft/Business Incubator awarded $250,000, application to RD for $98,000; 15) Development District Association of Appalachia (DDAA) Conference - March 2001, Washington D.C.; PDC staff to host conference; 16) Route 177 Corridor Study Update - draft to be reviewed at public meeting, September 21^st.
• Other Business - Presentation of a slide show was made by Mary Schnitzer, Jacqueline Eaves, and Elaine Carter concerning development of Christiansburg Institute as an Historical Site. They also spoke of their plans to renovate the Edgar A. Long building located at the site as a community center.
 

September 28, 2000

• Executive Director's Report - Mr. Rundgren reported on the following items: 1) Commerce Park received $500,000 ARC grant; 2) New River Valley Magnet School for Information System Technologies part-time Director and support staff were funded by Regional Competitiveness Act II, the school now has 104 students enrolled for the FY 00-01 school year; 3) The New River Valley Development Corporation is investigating the possibility of submitting a grant application for an HP Digital Village Program Grant that will be awarded to two communities. Main Menu

Labor Force

All NRV jurisdictions experienced increases in the labor force between the 1^st and 2^nd quarters of 2000, with the exception of Pulaski County which showed a decrease (470 persons). Montgomery County displayed the largest increase (3,253 persons). During the same time period in 1999, all NRV jurisdictions experienced increases in their labor force with Montgomery County again showing the largest increase (2,351 persons).

All NRV jurisdictions experienced unemployment rate declines with the exception of Floyd County (1.4% increase). Pulaski County showed the largest decline (3.8%). Between the 1^st and 2^nd quarters of 1999, Pulaski County and the City of Radford experienced increases, (0.3%) and (0.7%), respectively.

The need for additional access points and camping facilities along the New River between Claytor Lake and the Virginia-West Virginia line has emerged from the American Heritage Rivers-New River effort and other efforts aimed at identifying opportunities for improving heritage and eco-tourism. PDC staff are facilitating discussion of potential access projects among an ad hoc group of local government and state agency representatives with a goal of eventually developing an application for federal funding. So far, potential projects identified include: boating access facilities near Bisset Park in Radford; river access-only primitive camping near old AT&T property in Pulaski County; facilities at the Whitt-Riverbend property in Giles County (the Town of Pearisburg is currently working to raise funds to acquire this property); and an educational element. The federal funding to be pursued through this effort cannot be used for acquisition of land. This initiative is being coordinated with a multi-state canoe trail/blueway effort which has grown out of the American Heritage Rivers-New River organization. For further information, contact Patrick Burton, (540)639-9313, ext. 205. Main Menu

On Sept. 21st, the Commonwealth Transportation Board released its "Tentative Virginia Transportation Development Plan" for Fiscal Years 2001-2006. Under the tentative plan, the 12 county Salem transportation district will receive an allocation of $222 million for the current fiscal year (double the previous fiscal year's allocation of $110 million) and approximately $770 million over the period FY 2002-2006. The increase is largely due to the Virginia Transportation Act of 2000 passed by the Virginia General Assembly. Among the Priority Transportation projects in the tentative plan are: I-81 safety improvements; U.S. Rt. 58 Corridor Development Program; and completion of four-laning of Rt. 100 in Giles County. The Commonwealth Transportation Board will hold a public hearing on the tentative plan in Roanoke on October 5, 2000. The hearing will begin at 9:00 a.m. and will be held at the Wyndham Hotel, located off I-581 at Exit 3W. For further information, contact Patrick Burton, (540)639-9313, ext. 205. Main Menu

At a meeting of the PDC's Transportation Technical Advisory Committee on Sept. 19th, Senior Customs Inspector David Hillman reported that the U.S. Customs Port of Entry, known as Port No. 1481, located at the New River Valley Airport has logged over 900 Customs entries representing $85 million in merchandise, since activation of the Port on March 26, 2000.

Mr. Hillman noted that, as a result of the "Port of Entry" designation, New River Valley businesses and individuals can experience greater convenience in processing imported merchandise. Though Mr. Hillman's office is located at the New River Valley Airport, he can also provide Customs services at the Virginia Tech Airport in Blacksburg. For more information on Customs services which can be provided through the New River Valley Port of Entry, call David Hillman at (540) 674-4414. For further information, contact Patrick Burton, (540)639-9313, ext. 205. Main Menu

October 2000

October 2 - Floyd PC Meeting - 7:30PM

October 3 - Blacksburg PC Meeting - 7:30PM

October 5 - 177 Comm. - Bethel Elem - Tyler Avenue - 7:00PM

October 9 - Pulaski Town PC Meeting - 7:00PM

October 10 - Giles PC Meeting - 7:00PM and Pulaski PC Meeting - 7:00PM

October 16 - Radford PC Meeting - 7:00PM

October 17 - Montgomery/Blacksburg LEPC-NRV Med. Center-Radford-7:00PM

October 18 - Montgomery PC Meeting - 7:00PM

October 26 - NRVPDC Commission Meeting - 7:30PM

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

November 2000

November 6 - Floyd PC Meeting - 7:30PM

November 7 - Blacksburg Town PC Meeting - 7:30PM

November 13 - Pulaski Town PC Meeting - 7:00PM

November 14 - Giles PC Meeting - 7:00PM and Pulaski PC Meeting - 7:00PM; RPO TAC Mtg. - 1:30PM

November 15 - Montgomery PC Meeting - 7:00PM

November 20 - Radford PC Meeting - 7:00PM

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

GOOD BYE AND GOOD LUCK SID!

Sid Cheek, a Regional Planner with the NRVPDC, has accepted a position as Grants Administrator with the Town of Wytheville. Sid's last day was September 29^th. Sid worked with the New River Valley Disabilities Services Board and the development of the Pulaski County Comprehensive Plan. We appreciate his service to the PDC and wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors.  Main Menu

The 13^th Annual Dinner Meeting of the Planning Commissions in the New River Valley will be held on Thursday, October 26, 2000, so please mark your calendars. It will be held at Radford University's Selu Conservancy in Montgomery County. The reception begins at 6:00 p.m. with dinner being served at 7:00 p.m. The cost is $18.00 per person which includes the buffet and dessert. The guest speaker will be Jeff Armistead, Director of the Selu Conservancy. For reservations, please contact Jan Reynolds, (540) 639-9313, ext. 216. Main Menu

Jacksonville Center Developing Stage Version of "The Man

Who Moved a Mountain."

The Jacksonville Center is working with the authors to open the stage play version of "The Man Who Moved a Mountain" in Floyd during the summer of 2001. Co-authored by Joseph Maiolo and Tom Isbell, the play uses drama, humor, and music to tell the story of Bob Childress, the Presbyterian pastor who transformed his community in the 1940s. Set in locations around Buffalo Mountain where the real history took place, the play dramatizes the life of Childress using 8 actors, all of whom (with the exception of the lead actor) play multiple roles.

The Center Board of Directors is working with the playwrights to coordinate, as closely as possible, the "world premier" of the stage play with the productions of the feature film and the documentary film versions of the story, which are currently in production under separate initiatives. Maiolo has spent a lot of time in the Floyd/Carroll/Patrick counties area doing research and filming interviews with those who were directly touched by Childress's life.

With a coalition of groups and individuals including the Floyd Theater Group, Playmakers & Co. of Christiansburg, Virginia Tech's Theater Arts Department, the Floyd Ministerial Association, Floyd's Old Church Gallery, and the University of Minnesota at Duluth (through the playwrights), plus various granting agencies and corporate donors, the Jacksonville Center is actively pursuing development of this project as a community effort.

New Enterprises Fund has New Individual

 Development Account Coordinator

Ellen Bielema has joined the New Enterprises Fund as the Individual Development Account Coordinator. She is a graduate of Virginia Tech and is currently serving as an Americorp VISTA Volunteer. The New Enterprises Fund was awarded a two-year, $100,000 Virginia Individual Development Account (VIDA) grant in August, for support of the Individual Development Account (IDA) Program.

NEF's IDA Program promotes self-reliance through savings and building assets. The program provides personal financial management education, financial counseling, as well as matching funds as an incentive for low to moderate income individuals and families in the New River Valley to save successfully. At present, individuals may open IDA accounts to save for home ownership, post-secondary education, or microenterprise (small business) start-up. Deposits into IDA accounts are currently matched at a rate of 3 to 1. For more information about the program, please contact Ellen Bielema or Monica Appleby at 382-2002.

Community Happenings

The Community Foundation of the New River Valley will hold its annual Fall Donor Recognition event Thursday, November 9^th, at Custom Catering in Blacksburg. There will be hors d'oeuvres starting at 4 p.m. and the Recognition program, including the fall cycle grant awards, will begin at 4:45 PM.

The Jacksonville Center is planning a variety of activities. The Second Annual Fall Fling Bazaar will be October 14th, the Third Annual Buffalo Mountain Storytelling Festival will be held on Halloween. And the Fifth Annual WinterFest crafts expo is planned for early December. For more information about these and other projects of the Jacksonville Center, please call 745-2784, e-mail [email protected] or visit our website at: civic.bev.net/jacksonvillecenter

The YMCA at Virginia Tech is seeking nominations for the 3rd annual recipients of the AAAUW/YMCA Women's Leadership Award. This is an award to honor women who serve the community who are between the ages of 25-40. Please call Lynn at 231-6860 for more information. Nominations are due October 6^th.

The YMCA Crafts fair, to be held in Squires Student Center, will be November 10-12. This is the 31st annual fair - a true community tradition in this area! Included are handmade crafts, quality art, interesting demonstrations, creative and fun activities for kids, entertaining musical groups, and the chance to bump into friends and neighbors from across the New River Valley.

Congresman Rick Boucher is sponsoring the Second Annual American Heritage Rivers Conference will be held at New River Community College in Dublin, Virginia on Thursday, October 19^th beginning at 9:30 AM. This year's conference will highlight successful New River projects and provide step-by-step guidance on how these successful efforts can be replicated in other communities. RSVP to 540-628-1145 or [email protected]

EAGLES Project Updates

The Community Foundation, as part of its Energized Active Grassroots Leaders Engaged Systematically (EAGLES) Grassroots Leadership program, co-sponsored a "Pathways to Balance" workshop on August 4th with the Schiffert Mental Health Center of Virginia Tech. Dr. Brian Warren, Director of the Schiffert Health Center, facilitated the workshop. The workshop is one of several offered by the EAGLES program that is open to public participation.

The focus of the day was on identifying ways that individuals block themselves from changing ineffective behaviors. Dr. Warren led participants through a variety of exercises designed to identify individual strengths and weaknesses in dealing with stress, as well as relaxation techniques.

The workshop drew 22 participants from across the New River Valley, five of whom are in the first EAGLES class. 15 participants signed up to continue their work during more focused weekly sessions with Dr. Warren.

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The Community Foundation will accept applicants for the second class of EAGLES in December. The first EAGLES class has had 10 day-long Saturday workshops since November, 1999. The program is designed to provide grassroots leaders an opportunity to reflect on and develop their personal capacity as leaders.

The EAGLES approach uses a unique and powerful combination of training in EAGLES-identified areas of needed skills and knowledge identified by the EAGLES themselves. A highly skilled community development trainer/educator leads the day-long sessions.

This first group of EAGLES has explored community listening techniques, how personality type affects leadership style, and group dynamics. They have chosen to focus on how to bridge differences of race, culture and gender in their remaining sessions. Main Menu

If you have any questions or comments regarding this newsletter, please contact Jan Reynolds, Newsletter Editor, (540)639-9313 or [email protected]

Last Edited: 10/11/00