Chamber News

Tom Bishop Makes Pitch for Completion of U. S. Route 58

Feb. 5-Tom Bishop, Executive Director, Patrick County Chamber of Commerce has written Senator Mark Warner, Senator Jim Webb and Rep. Rick Boucher seeking funding for completion of U. S. Route 58

From Stuart, VA to Hillsville, VA. See content of letter below: Dear Senator Webb, Senator Warner and Rep. Boucher, Please push to have the completion of U. S. Route 58 from Stuart, VA to Hillsville, VA included in the new Federal stimulus package. Keep in mind that U. S. Route 58 is considered to be a “shovel ready project and construction could begin within three or four months,� as stated recently by Delegate Ward Armstrong. Completion of U. S. Route 58 would spur economic development in the Southside of Virginia impacting, Patrick, Henry, Carroll, Franklin, Halifax and Pittsylvania Counties, where unemployment is at the highest level. Unemployment for December was: Patrick 10.2% Pittsylvania 9.9% Martinsville 15.4% Franklin 10.2% Danville 11.5% Carroll 9.6% Henry 11% We would appreciate you giving this high priority in the new Congress for 2008. Thanks very much! Sincerely, Tom Bishop, Executive Director Patrick County Chamber of Commerce