The New River Valley Economic Development Alliance will mark its 20th anniversary at the end of February. That milestone says a lot about the durability of the concept and the willingness of various partners—public and private—to work together to further the region’s economic prospect. (more…)

Growing up poor in a moral and cultural cesspool has its perks. Did I just use the plural? I meant to use the singular. The perk is, if you survive such an upbringing, you come out at the other end with stories. Yes, “stories.” That time, I meant to use the plural.

Remember how Mr. Rogers used to take you to Make-Believe Land? I’m escorting you to Make-It-Go-Away Land. There are no puppets where we’re going. If there were puppets, they’d all be carrying tiny foil spoons—for freebasing.

It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood.

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The study of journalism advises writers to start off strong. Thus: Youth groups are the second most debauched institution in existence, just behind the Internet. (more…)

We launched this column in January to begin an open discussion about the present and future of the City of Radford. Now it’s time to talk about the directions that we are headed in and the directions in which we wish to go.

I am sure many of you have tangible ideas, projects, partnerships, or proposed facilities that you have been thinking about for some time that would be a fantastic addition to the Radford community. I know that I do. In fact, I have a whole list! But before we start talking about a skate park, a dog park, a live music venue, a river festival in Bissett, an outdoor living heritage railroad exhibit, or a downtown retail recruitment plan, I think the right thing for us to do is to talk about our energy and connection to this community. (more…)

Dear City of Radford:

Please stop shooting at the vultures.

I’m sick of it. Several times a week my neighbors and I are treated to the same tiresome routine: an Animal Control Police Officer pulls up to the woods at the end of my Radford Village street, takes aim, and – BANG! – fires explosives up into the trees. Even if the so-called “bird-bangers” shoot blanks, no matter how often it happens, having our peaceful morning shattered by explosions never fails to shock. (more…)

Unemployment and its effects have left few untouched in the New River Valley and across the nation. The unemployment rate for Blacksburg, Christiansburg, and Radford in September 2009 was 7.8 percent as compared to the state unemployment rate of 6.6 percent, according to a study released by The Commonwealth Institute entitled “The Long Road to Recovery.” This area also suffers from a higher poverty rate—20.6 percent of residents in the New River Valley live at or below the poverty threshold, fully double the statewide average of 10.2 percent. (more…)

Small businesses are at the core of our national economy. Two-thirds of the new jobs created nationwide are in companies employing 50 or fewer individuals. These companies are a wellspring of innovation, and they give strength and diversity to the economic foundation of communities throughout our region and the nation.

My top priority is to encourage economic development and the creation of new jobs for Southwest Virginians. We are achieving that goal in various ways, including a broad effort to realize our full potential to create and foster the growth of locally owned small businesses. Creating a climate that is favorable to small business startups and providing resources and other assistance to those who aspire to be small business owners is an important part of our strategy for promoting economic growth throughout our region and an important part of the work of my Congressional office.

A number of resources offering informational and financial support are available to entrepreneurs wishing to start a business in Southwest Virginia. Approximately 10 years ago, I launched a program to encourage the development of small business incubators in communities throughout the region. Small business incubators provide support to individuals seeking to bring their good ideas to the commercial market, and can assist aspiring business owners with a number of activities such as developing a business plan and providing affordable office space.

Financial resources are also available to assist individuals in starting a business. Several agencies throughout the region administer revolving loan funds, such as the Ninth District Development Fund. I created the Ninth District Development Fund to provide a financial resource to emerging, tourism-related small businesses. For further information on the Ninth District Development Fund, contact Debbie Wagner at People Incorporated, the agency that administers the fund, at 276.623.9000.

Individuals wishing to start a small business in Southwest Virginia have an excellent opportunity to obtain information from business experts. The Virginia Department of Business Assistance (VDBA), along with partners on the federal, state and local level, is offering a series of workshops entitled Entrepreneur Express: Moving Your Business Forward in several locations throughout Southwest Virginia in the coming months.

These workshops started in Galax in 2006 when I joined with the Virginia Department of Business Assistance in hosting the Enterprise Fair at the Crossroads Institute. Due to the success of that event, the program has become a one-stop-shop for entrepreneurs, now being replicated statewide. To date, statewide more than 8,000 business owners have attended the workshops.

These free, half-day workshops include information on available business resources and deliver practical, hands-on training covering key elements of business practice such as starting or expanding a business, marketing strategies, and financing. Business owners attending the workshop will have the opportunity to speak with the many state agencies and service providers who have partnered with the VDBA to present the workshops.

Upcoming Entrepreneur Express Workshops will be held Feb. 23 in Bristol at the King College Student Center, March 18 in Lebanon at the Russell County Conference Center, March 11 in Christiansburg at the New River Valley Mall New River Community College Auditorium, March 19 at the Smyth County Career and Technology Center, and April 29 at the Wytheville Community Center.

Additionally, a special Entrepreneur Express Workshop focused on how small businesses can make use of social media, entitled “You-Link-Twit-Face: Start Using Social Media for Your Business,” will take place on March 18 at the Crossroads Institute in Galax and on April 14 at the Dickenson County Center for Education and Research.

As a result of the success of the Entrepreneur Express workshops, the VDBA is leading new programs like including one on one counseling for businesses on topics such as business growth and marketing and Web 2.0 strategies. The Virginia Business One Stop and Virginia Business Information Center also provide answers and solutions to business related questions.

For additional information on the VDBA programs, to register for one of the Entrepreneur Express workshops, or for information on one-on-one business counseling, contact Sandy Ratliff, Business Service Manager for VDBA at 276.676.3768 or visit http://www.vastartup.org.
Rick Boucher is Congressman for the 9th District of Virginia, which includes the New River Valley. You can catch his Capitol Commentary regularly at newrivervoice.com.