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Floyd County

Floyd County drops property tax rate

Floyd County is reducing its real estate tax from 60 cents to 47 cents per hundred dollars in valuation. The reduction is an attempt to offset increases in property tax assessments, although some property owners have seen a higher tax bill for the first half of 2010.

County Administrator Dan Campbell told supervisors at last week’s budget work session that the drop hould equalize the taxes for this year for most -- but not all -- Floyd County property owners.“This is based on averaging out the tax assessments,” he said. “Some bills will be above the average; others will be below.”

Read more from The Floyd Press....

Posted on Thursday, May 6, 2010 - 8:00pm

Virtual call center to hire 100 in Southwest Virginia

DirecTV is offering a work-at-home employment opportunity to 100 residents of Southwest Virginia. The virtual call center workers will earn $10 an hour plus benefits. One hundred new jobs will be a real boost for the local housing market. The money injected into the economy could be used to buy new homes or avert foreclosure for those homeowners near the brink.

Read more in these local news outlets:

Posted on Wednesday, March 31, 2010 - 3:31pm

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

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

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