FROM GILES COUNTY, VA– The Town of Narrows has been awarded a 2019 Virginia Main Street Commercial District Affiliate grant in the amount of $7,000. These funds will be used to develop a collaborative approach to implement commercial district development among the five towns in Giles County, and increase the ability of each town to develop and implement their own strategies following the Virginia Main Street approach. The ultimate outcome of the grant is to create a “Hometowns of the New River Valley” initiative in Giles County, building on the successful ‘Hometowns of the Clinch’ model that towns along the Clinch River have developed for their communities. The Town of Narrows is partnering with the Giles County Tourism Office and the New River Valley Regional Commission for the implementation of this grant.

The Commercial District Affiliate grant is offered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development through the Virginia Main Street Program, the state’s coordinating program for Main Street America. The grants are designed to provide funding for projects or services that will assist communities or organizations in achieving their downtown revitalization goals. These grants are available to more than 80 Commercial District Affiliates that have registered with Virginia Main Street.

This year’s grants total $35,000 and were awarded to the Columbia Pike Revitalization Organization in Arlington County, Russell County on behalf of the Dante Community Association, the city of Galax, and the towns of Narrows, Glade Spring, and Stanardsville.

“Downtown revitalization is key to creating stronger entrepreneurial ecosystems in our Main Street Commercial District Affiliate communities,” said Erik Johnston, director for the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. “Though small in size, these projects will have a lasting impact in the communities they will be serving.”

Virginia Main Street Grant Program

Virginia Main Street has been helping revitalize older and historic commercial districts in Virginia for more than 30 years. As of today, the program is a network of 28 designated communities and more than 80 affiliate communities who share both a commitment to place and to building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development. Since 2012, communities participating in the program have leveraged more than $272 million in private investment, generated more than 3,000 net new jobs, and garnered more than 406,000 volunteer hours.

Giles County

Giles County, Virginia is located in Southwest Virginia approximately 40 minutes south of Roanoke and just west of Blacksburg and Virginia Tech. With easy access to the New River, world class dining and lodging properties, and historical attractions for the entire family, Giles offers adventure in Virginia’s Mountain PlaygroundTM. Come find your playground at our Visitors Center located at 203 N Main Street, Pearisburg, VA 24134 or find us online at gilescounty.org or by calling 540-921-2079. For interviews or onsite visits, please contact Cora Gnegy, Tourism Marketing Director. We can arrange and assist with any media needs. For more information about planning your visit to Giles County or about activities and events, please visit www.gilescounty.org or contact us at tourism@gilescounty.org.

Virginia’s New River Valley: Virginia’s New River Valley is an eclectic mix of interconnected small towns that each offer their own unique vibe and appeal. The region provides an abundance of cultural and social offerings due to the presence of three world-class universities, while retaining the charm and benefits of small town living. The NRV is home to a diverse and innovative business community with companies that range from high-tech startups to foreign-based corporations to specialty agribusiness. These organizations benefit from the collaborative spirit of our region and a loyal, highly-skilled, and educated workforce. The scenic beauty of the region also fosters a deep connection to nature, which is deepened by access to outdoor recreation and the preservation of our natural environment. It’s clear why Virginia’s New River Valley is “A Natural Fit.”

Onward NRV: Onward NRV is a public/private, regional economic development organization whose mission is to attract and retain world class jobs, investment, and talent in Virginia’s New River Valley. It’s also a movement where leaders from business, government, and higher education work together to promote the economic vitality of the region.

PEMBROKE, VA – The Town of Pembroke in Giles County completed a project using funds from the RALLY Southwest Virginia mini-grant program.

The grant provided a total of $3,000 and was facilitated by Opportunity SWVA. The finished project was officially revealed in late July.

The town used the money for beautification projects, which included a new kiosk, an upgraded facade for the municipal building, which featured an installation art piece, and fresh paint for the historic Pembroke public library.

Narrows, another town in Giles County, also completed a RALLY Southwest Virginia project last year. The project in Narrows created a new downtown sign to help direct residents and visitors to community and outdoor assets. The project also included a kiosk and large photos for downtown storefronts that promote local recreation opportunities.

Virginia’s New River Valley: Virginia’s New River Valley is an eclectic mix of interconnected small towns that each offer their own unique vibe and appeal. The region provides an abundance of cultural and social offerings due to the presence of three world-class universities, while retaining the charm and benefits of small town living. The NRV is home to a diverse and innovative business community with companies that range from high-tech startups to foreign-based corporations to specialty agribusiness. These organizations benefit from the collaborative spirit of our region and a loyal, highly-skilled, and educated workforce. The scenic beauty of the region also fosters a deep connection to nature, which is deepened by access to outdoor recreation and the preservation of our natural environment. It’s clear why Virginia’s New River Valley is “A Natural Fit.”

Onward NRV: Onward NRV is a public/private, regional economic development organization whose mission is to attract and retain world class jobs, investment, and talent in Virginia’s New River Valley. It’s also a movement where leaders from business, government, and higher education work together to promote the economic vitality of the region.

Eggleston, VA, once a bustling town in Virginia’s New River Valley, is still a regional destination, but for a different reason. The old general store turned gourmet restaurant, The Palisades Restaurant attracts visitors for miles, but Eggleston looks a lot different than it used to.

Eggleston is considered a “Lost Community” in Virginia, according to “Lost Communities of Virginia,” a book that highlights towns in Virginia that lost a major mode of transportation, an economically driving industry, or a certain historic way of life.

Authors Terri Fisher and Kirsten Sparenborg spent time uncovering and discovering towns in Virginia that lost something major, but refused to disappear.

Fisher, an Outreach Coordinator for the Virginia Tech Community Design Assistance Center (CDAC), and Sparenborg, a former CDAC Architecture Intern, started the project by driving all over the Commonwealth of Virginia and following the little green signs on the highway pointing to different communities. That’s how the two ended up checking out 2,600 communities.

Fisher joined PBS’s Write Around the Corner to share the story of the “Lost Communities of Virginia” and Eggleston:

PBS Write Around the Corner

Write Around the Corner – Terri Fisher | Write Around the Corner

We’ll talk with the co-author of “Lost Communities of Virginia.”

Fisher and Sparenborg narrowed down those 2,600 communities down to just 30 that are featured in the book. Eggleston is one of those 30.

In fact, Eggleston is the first community where this project began.

Eggleston

Eggleston started as what Fisher categorizes as a “Resort Community.” Gunpowder Springs attracted visitors from all over to heal ailments and soothe the soul. Once rail transportation reached the area, tracks went down on both sides of the New River, turning this Resort Community into a “Transportation Hub.”

Eventually when the need to travel by rail significantly decreased, Eggleston lost that mode of transportation, making it a Lost Community of Virginia.

Fortunately, the community of Eggleston did not die. The General Store was revitalized and eventually turned into The Palisades Restaurant, which draw visitors from hours away.

Next time you’re driving through Virginia’s New River Valley, pay attention to those little green signs. You never know where they might lead.

Virginia’s New River Valley: For those searching for an inspiring place to live and do business, Virginia’s New River Valley provides both an eclectic small town atmosphere and an innovative, collaborative business community with a loyal, highly skilled, and educated workforce. Offering the best of all worlds – magnificent mountains, cutting-edge research, arts, entertainment, and education – it’s A NATURAL FIT.

Onward NRV: Onward NRV is a public/private, regional economic development organization whose mission is to attract and retain world class jobs, investment, and talent in Virginia’s New River Valley. It’s also a movement where leaders from business, government, and higher education work together to promote the economic vitality of the region.