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Carroll County

Going 'Green" Could Help Farming Communities in Southside

Going green could help farmers in rural areas like Soutside, according to GoDanRiver.com.

Last week officials from the VA Commission on Energy & Environment met in Gretna to learn about the area's green and energy initiatives. One key point addressed in the meeting is how these initiatives can help farming communities.

This is an important topic for all homeowners in farming communities because there are key legislative changes that would have to be made to make these efforts able to have a positive impact on the state's energy consumption and economy. It's important because it could lead to more affordable, renewable energy sources, but could also help farmers who support many of the state's rural communities.

"Generating renewable energy from local sources could help rural areas like Southside, business leaders told policymakers Thursday.

The Renewable Energy Subcommittee of the Virginia Commission on Energy and Environment met in Gretna on Thursday to learn about the area’s 'green' and energy initiatives, said subcommittee chairman and Delegate Charles Poindexter, R-9th District. The subcommittee will report back to the commission, which will later make recommendations on legislation for the upcoming session of the General Assembly.

Ken Moss of Piedmont BioProducts in Gretna told the subcommittee that second-generation biofuels, those using biomass like wood or grass, would bring prosperity to farming communities in Southern Virginia."

Read the full story.

Posted on Thursday, October 29, 2009 - 10:11am

Carroll County Resort Introduced to DC Residents

A recent article in the Washington Times positioned Olde Mill resort in Laurel Fork as a great resort for DC residents looking for a second home.

The resort is nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, and was recently renovated to include a fitness center, 18-hole golf course, indoor swimming pool with a hot tub, two restaurants, facilities for special events and a breath-taking view of a 54-acre lake and the mountains.

Community activities include concerts and casino nights, plus trips to local wineries, festivals and antique shops.

This is good news for Carroll County residents who will experience a boost in the local economy from potential buyers visiting the area, and much more once the homes are sold.

"The Blue Ridge Mountains beckon visitors in every season, but they are especially enticing in autumn. For prospective second-home owners in the District, it's about a five-hour drive to Southwestern Virginia and Olde Mill, an 850-acre master-planned resort community in Laurel Fork.

Home prices in Olde Mill range from the $200,000s for villa homes to more than $800,000 for an estate home."

Read the full story.

Posted on Wednesday, October 21, 2009 - 5:11pm

Chesapeake Bay Reports Call For More Livestock, Runoff Regulations

Last week federal officials released parts of a strategy to restore the Chesapeake Bay, according to NewsDay.com.

The report focuses on expanding regulation of large-scale animal farms and municipal stormwater runoff. Although details of the expanded regulations have not been decided, the report did mention that federal leadership and "muscle" would be used when necessary to enforce the new regulations.

This report, along with others wll be used to develop a bay restoration strategy scheduled for release on Novemeber 9th.

Because many of the Virginia localities in the Chesapeake Watershed are heavily farmed areas, many Virginia property owners could be affected. Property owners will need to ensure that their rights are protected in the process of restoring the Chesapeake Bay.

"Federal officials on Thursday began revealing the building blocks of a strategy to restore the Chesapeake Bay, using federal leadership to encourage states to cut pollution and federal muscle, when necessary, to ensure it happens.

Among recommendations in draft reports from federal agencies: expanded regulation of large-scale animal farms and municipal stormwater runoff, and requirements that increases in pollution be offset by reductions from other sources.

The details, such as how many more animal feeding operations would be regulated, have not been decided, but 'the message here is that there will be, there is a commitment at EPA to increased enforcement and increased oversight of state programs,' EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson said Thursday.

The reports will be used to develop a bay restoration strategy, scheduled for release Nov. 9, that was mandated by an executive order issued earlier this year by President Obama.

The EPA said it was working with Chesapeake Bay states and the District of Columbia to establish limits for nitrogen, phosphorus and sediments. States would have to develop detailed plans on how to reduce levels of those pollutants from sources such as farms, highways and lawns. The EPA said it would step in if states don't take sufficient action.

While large operations such as industrial chicken farms would be regulated, the EPA said it would also expand regulation of municipal stormwater programs to include high-growth areas.

Jackson said the goal was to use federal leadership, and 'federal muscle when necessary.'

Agriculture is responsible for about half the pollution entering the bay, but Jackson noted there is more turf grass in the bay watershed than corn acreage and the region is much different from when bay restoration efforts began decades ago."

Read full story.

Posted on Monday, September 14, 2009 - 10:50am

Southwest VA Residents Could See Improvements in Health Services

The Kingsport Times-News recently reported about efforts to improve the health of residents in Southwest Virginia. As of now, individuals who live in Southwest Virginia have a premature mortality rate that is 26 percent higher than the state average, in addition, to having higher rates of obesity, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

Adapting health services to better suit area residents can result in a great improvement in their quality of life, and also make the area more attractive to businesses and new residents, which will improve property values.

"The Southwest Virginia Health Authority has unveiled a plan to improve the region’s health care network and access to health care that includes a push to establish a medical specialist training facility in the region and permitting an expanded role for dental hygienists.

The Blueprint for Health Improvement and Health-Enabled Prosperity is the first strategic plan developed to address health disparities residents of Southwest Virginia face, said Delegate Bud Phillips, D-Clintwood.

Phillips is chairman of the authority, which was created by the Virginia General Assembly in 2006.

Residents of Southwest Virginia have a premature mortality rate that is 26 percent higher than the state average and have higher rates of obesity, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. The “blueprint” identifies those issues and needs and sets short-term, intermediate and long-term goals and objectives to address those needs, Phillips said.

'We believe the authority’s approach is a model for the nation to follow because it was developed by the people who know health care and what Southwest Virginia’s needs are,' he said. 'By improving health care, we improve the quality of life in Southwest Virginia.'

Some of the blueprint goals include allowing dental hygienists to provide preventive care. Another goal — establishing a dental school/clinic in Wise County — is under way. The plan also proposes as an immediate goal establishing a Medical Specialist Training Center in the region so residents won’t have to travel long distances to see health care specialists.

Read full story.

Posted on Wednesday, September 2, 2009 - 3:03pm

Carroll Co. Gets Money for Water & Wastewater Systems

WSLS 10 out of Roanoke reported about a recent announcement from Congressman Rick Boucher that brings some good news to Carroll and Grayson counties and the city of Galax.

Carroll county is the receipent of more than $2.8 million for water and wastewater systems. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Energy has provided economic recovery funds in the amount of $620,487 to Rooftop of Virginia to help families reduce energy costs in Carroll and Grayson Counties and the City of Galax through their weatherization assistance program.

"Two new projects will help put the economic stimulus to work locally.This afternoon, dozens gathered in Carroll County to hear Congressman Rick Boucher’s big announcement.The county will receive more than $2.8 million for water and wastewater systems projects.They’ll help bring clean water to 350 homes and businesses.

'We’re seeing commitments already to create as many as 90 jobs from one employer alone when we build a new water and wastewater system combination at Exit 1 on Interstate-77 and we’re bringing the funding here today in order to do that,' said Boucher."

Read full story, including a news release from Congressman Rick Boucher’s office.

Posted on Thursday, July 30, 2009 - 5:27pm

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Posted on Monday, June 15, 2009 - 12:00am