Jan. 4-Stuart- Tom Bishop spoke 10 reasons why he thought the Patrick County Economic futre is good while being interviewed by Richard Rogers on the morning talk show, WHEO 1270 AM

Patrick County Economic Future Date: January 4, 2013 Why I think that Patrick County Economic Future is Good. Reported by Tom Bishop-Executive Director, Patrick County Chamber of Commerce Take what you have and recognize it. Build upon it. And project into the future of economic growth based on what exists. Watch it grow. Accentuate the positive. Hopefully outweighs the negative. Inventory what already exists. Be thankful for it. Think big! Completion of U. S. Route 58 to four lanes between Stuart and Hillsville. We have already made lots of success since the loss of furniture, textile and tobacco. TEN REASONS WHY I THINK THE ECONOMIC FUTURE IS GOOD. Resurgence of retail business – New hardware, new Auto Parts, new Wendy’s, new Stuart Family Rest., reopened Slates Restaurant, new Elizabeth Pizza, new Jane’s Country Café, reopened Boyd’s Restaurant, reopened Café of Claudville. Hope for more retail to come. Infrastructure improvements recent years. Cell phone towers, Mid-Atlantic Broadband, High Speed Internet service County wide. Water and Sewer in Patrick Springs. Plan for more such improvements (propane pipeline) Construction boom. New homes, new businesses (Piedmont Community Services, Step, Inc., Surrey Bank and Trust, River Community Bank, Patrick Building Supply). New additions to County Schools (25 MM). Additions to Primland, lodge, golf, spa, fairway cottages, tree house, etc. – multi-millions. New jail (8MM), new by-pass in Town of Stuart, upgrade to Stuart streets, improvements to Rt. 58 on mountain (2 segments), upgrades to Parkway pavement Tourism expansion – new places of lodging, improvements in restaurants, new County brochure, increased level of tourism marketing, 2 Visitor centers (Stuart & Meadows of Dan). Improvements at Philpott. Better marketing of Philpott, fishing tournament, expand marketing Entertainment – Music – Camping-Music parks, Fairy Stone Park, BR Parkway, boating, camping, hiking, biking. Crooked Road Music Trail, Artisan Trails. Floydfest, Bluegrass Fest, Beach Fest, Front Porch Fest, Peach Fest, Strawberry Fest, Apple Dumpling Fest, Covered Bridge Fest. Historical, Civic, churches and non-profits – JEB Stuart Birthplace (long range plans, improvements and upgrades), The Hollow History Center (expansion), The Reynolds Homestead (trails, tobacco barn, signage, long range plans). Museums. Blue Ridge Heritage long range plans. We have land for sale. People moving here from other states. They have found us! My neighbors are from VT, MI, NC, WV, FL, NY, PA, NJ and other places. Move – Ins are an important part of the economy. They build homes, clear land, excavate, build garages, workshops, barns, etc. improve on what is already here. They spend money and do not require as much in services (education). Largely they contribute to our economy. “Silent Economy”. Outdoor camping, fishing, biking, hunting, parks and recreation, trails (Mayo River, Dan River, DeHart Park Mt. Bike trail). Five rivers. Fish Virginia Marketing. Agri-Tourism-Farming, Agriculture – Farm markets, new farm market facility in Stuart, increasing popularity of markets, orchards, green houses, pumpkins, cabbage, cherries, peaches, apples, broccoli, plants, tree farms, cattle, alpacas, goats, sheep, local food movement, new winery. Agriculture is because we have land mass. Land still available for sale. Forest products – lumber, hardwood flooring industry, wood chips, pallets, mulch, ETC. These continue to be an important part of our economy. Have been here a long time. Will likely will continue. Industry – Candy factory, ice factory, wood products factories, textile factories (continuing and expansion), machining, military, wood working, modular woods, back office, medical, roasting coffee and exporting, etc. These have been mainstays. Our backbone. True industry of factories and offices. Made in America (Patrick County).