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Martinsville Uptown Revitalization Depends on NCI's Future

As Martinsville looks to revitalize uptown, the future of The New College Institute is a key factor, according to the Martinsville Bulletin. In the 2012-13 school year, the State Council for Higher Education in Virginia will decide whether to let NCI evolve into a branch campus of a university or — what local leaders are hoping for — a university itself.

That decision will have a huge impact on the area because it could result in developing more space for classes and student housing, as well as more employment opportunities.

"The New College Institute (NCI) is an important part of efforts to revitalize uptown, according to city officials and community leaders.

As NCI has added degree programs and its student population has grown, it has expanded into three buildings uptown. People have noticed that growth, and it has helped them see that progress is occurring, according to Jeffrey Mansour, senior program officer for The Harvest Foundation.

He called NCI 'a catalyst' for revitalizing uptown.

Due to NCI’s presence, the district has 'a new identity,' said Lee Probst, executive director of the Martinsville Uptown Revitalization Association.

As a result, how the institute evolves will greatly influence how uptown evolves, said Wayne Knox, the city’s director of community development.

NCI’s administration is in the Pythian Building on Jones Street. Classrooms and offices are in a former furniture store building on Franklin Street and on upper floors of Jefferson Plaza on East Church Street. Both buildings were renovated to accommodate the institute.

Because it occupies three buildings on different streets, NCI is 'integrated uptown' and has made itself part of the district’s identity, Mansour said.

That, he said, is unlike many institutions of higher education that are 'off secluded someplace away from the urban center' of their localities and, in turn, seem like separate communities.
NCI educated 347 students during the past academic year and expects to have at least 400 students in 2009-10, officials have said. Most students attend classes late in the day and at night, after most people who work uptown have gone home.

Executive Director Barry Dorsey said NCI has become 'an economic engine' for the central business district. For instance, he said the owner of a nearby coffee shop has told him that the restaurant often is full of students around NCI class times.

The institute provides local access to courses needed to complete certain bachelor’s and master’s degrees offered by universities statewide."

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Posted on Tuesday, November 17, 2009 - 6:41pm

Martinsville Builder Sees 50 Percent Increase in Business

An area builder of modular homes and commercial buildings has seen a 50 percent increase in production since March, according to the Martinsville Bulletin.

Nationwide Custom Homes has recalled workers that were laid off in 2008 to help meet the increased demands. Nationwide attributes the increased production to the homebuyer tax-credit program and to their continued commitment to customer service.

This is great news for area homeowners because as the housing market continues to rebound, Nationwide will be able to hire back more employees. Also, this is a great sign for the housing market.

"Nationwide Custom Homes’ production is up 50 percent since March, company officials said.

If that trend continues, the company’s goal is to recall workers and/or fill about 75 positions next year at the company’s Martinsville division, according to Nationwide President Andy Miller and Vice President-Operations Tommy Rakes.

The company already has recalled more than 20 of the 100 workers who were laid off in 2008 and filled six positions since June of this year, Rakes said. The Martinsville division has 206 employees, he added.

Miller said a bill that extends and expands a homebuyer tax credit program would help the housing industry. President Barack Obama signed the bill Friday. According to The Associated Press, the tax credits center on extending the popular $8,000 maximum credit for first-time homebuyers that was included in the stimulus package.

The credit, which was to expire at the end of this month, will be available through next June as long as the buyer signs a binding contract by the end of April.

The program is being expanded to include a $6,500 maximum credit for homeowners who buy a new home after living in their current residence for at least five years, The Associated Press reported.

Rakes said he attributes Nationwide’s 50 percent increase in production since March to factors including the company’s Mainstreet product line, which was introduced in 2008.

Also, he cited the company’s expansion of distribution channels by signing on 32 new builders since March; its efficiency gains; hard work of employees; and emphasis on customer satisfaction."

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Posted on Tuesday, November 10, 2009 - 7:30pm

VDOT Issues Study of I-73 Alternative in Martinsville

A few years ago Martinsville business owners and residents asked that an alternative route be discusses to better serve Patriot Centre at Beaver Creek, Martinsville industrial parks, and Martinsville Speedway.

VDOT recently unveiled a plan, according to the Martinsville Bulletin. The review doesn't state that this alternate route would be approved and used, instead it is just a picture of one possibility it's benefits and drawbacks.

Area homeowners should review the plan because it could greatly help improve traffic conditions, but some homes will have to be torn down to make it a reality.

"An alternative route for Interstate 73 proposed by the Henry County Board of Supervisors has both benefits and drawbacks, a final draft review released by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) on Friday shows.

Benefits include no commercial buildings needing to be demolished, fewer stream crossings and lesser environmental impact on wetlands. Drawbacks include more homes having to be torn down, more floodplain acreage being affected and higher costs, mostly due to more interchanges needing to be installed and having to add 1.8 miles to the highway, the review shows.

The review makes no recommendation as to whether the alternative route should be used. That will be up to the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) to decide, said Heidi Underwood, VDOT’s Salem District public affairs manager.

Underwood said the CTB would have to undertake a more in-depth study if, after analyzing the final draft review, its members think the alternative route is worth pursuing. That decision would be made after comments from county officials and others interested in the project are incorporated into the draft review, she said.

The review is 'just a factual evaluation' of the alternative route compared to the route that the CTB approved for the interstate in 2004, she said.

The approved route takes I-73 through Henry County east of Martinsville with six interchanges. The alternative route puts the highway closer to the city, and it has eight interchanges, a map included in the final draft review shows.

In late 2007, at the urging of local business people, the county supervisors asked the state to consider the alternative route to better serve the Patriot Centre at Beaver Creek and Martinsville industrial parks, as well as Martinsville Speedway. They also asked for a connector road to be built from the Patriot Centre to the interstate."

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Posted on Tuesday, November 3, 2009 - 12:32pm

Martinsville Schools Recognized by Governor Kaine

Last week Governor Kaine called out Martinsville City Schools for best illustrating what a school district can do to prepare for the challenges of a global economy, according to ABC 13.

Kaine praised school leaders, teachers and the students for making drastic and positive changes in the past two years. This is great news for all homeowners because having good, strong schools is vital to protecting home values.

"Governor Tim Kaine (web) was in Martinsville Wednesday, celebrating what he calls, 'competence to excellence.' Out of all 134 school districts across Virginia, the governor picked Martinsville City Schools as the district that best illustrates what can be done to prepare for the challenges of a global economy.

It started out a few years back when school administrators asked for a mandate that graduation requirements exceed that of the state. And ever since then, the district has ensured their young students are ready for the challenges ahead.

'But what you have done... well, frankly in just two years; some of the initiatives you have put together are amazing,' Kaine said from the podium."

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Posted on Thursday, October 29, 2009 - 10:57am

Local Furniture Makers See Some Improvements

Some area furniture manufacturers experienced some modest optimism last week at High Point Furniture Market, according to the Martinsville Bulletin.

Basset experienced a double-digit percentage increase in attendance compared to the last market in April and also October 2008.

This is great news for homeowners in areas where furniture manufacturers are provide employment and tax money. As the industry strengthens and these companies grow, so will their ability to be a positive impact in Virginia communities - which, will result in local economy strength, lower taxes, and improved property values for homeowners.

"The word 'optimism' is inching back into the vocabulary of some area furniture manufacturers.

For instance, Bassett Furniture Industries President and CEO Rob Spilman said he detected 'a modest amount of optimism' at last week’s High Point Furniture Market.

'I think people have adjusted their business models to the times, so consequently both retailers and suppliers are learning to live with less,' he said Friday. 'Once that’s shaken out ... that provides opportunity.'

He cautioned, however, that the optimism he detected is 'modest.'

'When you come back home, business still is tough,' Spilman said, with unemployment and other consumer concerns still factors.

Paul B. Toms Jr., chief executive officer, president and chairman of the board of Hooker Furniture, agreed.

'Across the board they’re (customers) a little more bullish than they were six to 12 months ago,' he said, 'but we’ve still got a long way to go.'

Customers remain cautious and are not ordering huge quantities of furniture, 'but they feel like the worst is behind them,' Toms added Friday."

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Posted on Wednesday, October 28, 2009 - 5:25pm

Martinsville Residents Celebrated Opening of New Sports Complex Yesterday

Yesterday Martinsville residents celebrated the grand opening of their brand new sports complex. The Smith River Sports Complex includes five soccer fields and one practice field; an electronic scoreboard; fixed seating for 250 spectators; a pavilion with concessions, restrooms, office and meeting space; two picnic pavilions; a playground; a canoe launch; and walking trails that lead to the Smith River.

The complex was envisioned as an being an economic driver by attracting travel soccer teams, tournaments and their spectators that will boost local economy.

In addition to soccer leagues using the sports complex, there will be pickup games for both men and women as well as soccer camps and games for youngsters. Churches and other groups can rent the facility for reunions and picnics, and the walking trail, playground and other areas are attracting regular visitors.

This a great addition for area homeowners who can benefit from using the complex, and also see a boost in their local economy.

"Sunday’s official grand opening of the $8.7 million Smith River Sports Complex is the end of its building phase and the beginning of its role as an economic development engine."

Read full article from the Martinsville Bulletin.

 

Posted on Monday, August 24, 2009 - 3:28pm

Martinsville Residents Welcome Monogram Food Solutions, and 120 New Jobs

According to the Roanoke Times, Monogram Food Solutions is opening a plant in Martinsville. This is welcomed news for Martinsville residents who will epxerience a boost in local economy, but also the addition of 120 new jobs as the company will expand its production of the current American Foods Group's meat snack business.

Area homeowners can be excited about news like this, because a new business coming into town bringing new jobs will help make Martinsville seem marketable and stable, which can only positively affect property values.

"Timothy M. Kaine says Monogram Food Solutions LLC is acquiring a plant in Martinsville and will add 120 jobs as it expands production. Kaine said Thursday the Martinsville plant is part of Monogram's acquisition of American Foods Group's meat snack business. Kaine says Memphis, Tenn.-based Monogram plans to invest $13 million in the plant to expand production capacity."

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Posted on Thursday, August 13, 2009 - 1:09pm

Uptown Master Plan is in the Works for Martinsville

The Martinsville Bulletin reported about city plans to revitalize the uptown business district.

The project would hopefully be funded by a variety of grants and private sources, such as area property owners. Recently about 80 people participated in a “Vision Day” which was held to get area residents’ opinions on how the district should be revitalized. Comments made by residents are being compiled and will be used to develop the master plan, according to officials.

"City officials aim to have a master plan for revitalizing the uptown business district by the end of this year, Martinsville City Council learned Tuesday.

Once that plan is done, the city can apply for a block grant of up to $1.4 million from the state in March that can be put toward the revitalization, according to Community Development Director Wayne Knox.
He said the city has issued a request for proposals from firms interested in creating the master plan.

Knox said the city likely would find out next June whether it receives the grant. If the grant is provided, revitalization efforts spurred by the master plan could start by the end of 2010, he indicated."

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Posted on Thursday, July 30, 2009 - 6:09pm

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