The Patrick County Board of Supervisors meet on Monday, Aug. 24, 2009 for their monthly work session.
On Monday, August 24, the Patrick County Board of Supervisors met for a monthly Work Session.
The Tourism Advisory Committee presented copies of the final version of the Hospitality Notebooks to the Board of Supervisors. These notebooks showcases accommodations, events, attractions, recreational opportunities, meeting places, shopping and other points of interest that make Patrick County unique and a special place to visit. Copies will be distributed to businesses throughout the County so that store clerks and other personnel can use them in assisting Tourists.
Jay Scudder shared with the board information from a recent meeting with officials from the Philpott Lake concerning the purpose and objectives of the lake. While flood control, hydro-electric power generation are primary objectives, recreation has shown itself to be an important source of economic development and tourism.
Studies show that visitors to Philpott spend over $17 million per year in the three counties of Patrick, Franklin and Henry. They are researching ways to expand upon this resource, by using Federal stimulus funding, and increase the Tourism impact.
Jay Scudder shared a letter from the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), dated August 11, explaining that they are initiating the process to make the US Route 58 construction project between Stuart and Hillsville eligible for Federal funding. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is willing to cooperate with VDOT on the potential federalization of the project. To begin this process, VDOT in cooperation with FHWA will be preparing environmental documents pursuant of the National Environment Policy Act. While this is necessary for Federal funding, they do not anticipate that the current plans, location decisions or right of way needs will change substantially. This gives hope that this highly critical project may be able to obtain funding from the Federal government.
They passed a resolution unanimously to approve the Capital Equipment funding for a new 4-wheel drive ambulance for the Ararat Rescue Squad, in the amount budgeted.
They passed a resolution to re-appoint Terry Dalton, Treasurer and Dale Puckett (Dan River District) to the Economic Development Authority board. It passed unanimously.
They unanimously passed a resolution to support the “Fish Virginia First� initiative, in light of the tremendous impact to economic development, in providing jobs, retail sales and salaries and wages to the Commonwealth.
Other matters brought up for discussion were:
• The Appalachian Power easement on Slusher Street in support of the Town of Stuart Uptown Revitalization project
• Public Service Authority appointments
• Urgency of soft billings by local fire and rescue departments
• Benefits of the new cell tower ordinance
• Twice year billing of taxes
• Water and sewer project for Patrick Spring Elementary
Reported by Tom Bishop
