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Pittsylvania County

Pittsylvania supervisors question high utility bills

According to the Danville Register and Bee, "The Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors wants to know why county residents have seen their power bills from Danville Utilities reach astronomical levels.

The board unanimously voted during its regular meeting Monday night to send a letter to the Danville Utility Commission asking for an explanation as to why residents’ bi-monthly utilities expenses have in some cases more than doubled recently. Residents expressed dismay at higher-than-normal energy bills during the meeting at the General District Courtroom in Chatham.

Ringgold resident Scott Barker saw his bi-monthly bill from Danville Utilities nearly triple over a four month period recently. Barker said his bill went from $274 in September-October to $731 in November-December."


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Posted on Tuesday, March 2, 2010 - 12:24pm

Pittsylvania County to Gain More Internet Access

According to the Danville Register & Bee, Pittsylvania County and other areas in southside will receive two grants totaling $21 million from the U.S. Department of Commerce to expand broadband access in southside Virginia. A good portion of the funding will provide more fiber to connect 121 regular schools to an existing network. The Virginia Tobacco Commission also provided $4 million in matching funds, which will also bring approximately 75 jobs to the region.  Building additional infrastructure such as broadband helps to further educate the region's workforce and increases southside's competitiveness from an economic development perspective.  The expansion of broadband will also benefit homeowners with school-aged children given the primary focus of the initative is education-oriented.

 

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Posted on Wednesday, February 10, 2010 - 9:58am

Public Meeting Set for Altavista Historic District

According to the Altavista Journal, the Virginia Department of Historic Resources will hold a public information hearing Tuesday, Feb. 16, at town hall at 6 p.m. The community is invited to hear the presentations, ask questions and offer input. Comments from the February meeting will be presented to two Virginia Department of Historic Resources boards on March 18. The proposed district takes in about 50 buildings in the heart of downtown, including commercial properties, government and churches, but no single-family residences.  Buildings have to be 50 years old and retain some historical character. A major benefit of the designations would be that contributing properties in the district would be eligible for historic rehabilitation tax credits from the state and federal governments. The designations would not impose restrictions on property owners.

 

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Posted on Thursday, February 4, 2010 - 12:16pm

Pittsylvania Agricultural Landowners Face Proposed Tax Increase

According to the Danville Register & Bee, Pittsylvania County is in an uproar over a proposed 20-cent property tax increase on agricultural landowners.  Currenty the county participates in Virginia's land use program, which allows it to tax agricultural land at a lower rate to incentivize agricultural uses.  The Board of Supervisors is opposed to the Commission of Revenue's recommendation. The increase would affect nearly 1,500 landowners in the county.

 

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Posted on Sunday, January 24, 2010 - 11:47am

Pittsylvania Board Seeking Input on Recreation Facilities

According to the Chatham Star-Tribune, the Pittsylvania County Recreation Advisory Board is seeking input regarding its recreation needs.  They have posted a web survey to solicit feedback on what types of services are needed, the most appropriate ways to fund them, and what new programs should be offered.  The Advisory Board is working on a recreation master plan, which will be completed in six months.  Homeowners should weigh in on the questions posed with the hope of gaining additional facilities or ,at a minimum, improvements on the existing infrastructure.  Access to parks and recreation is but one of many attributes to consider when buying or selling a home.


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Posted on Thursday, January 21, 2010 - 1:38pm

Power Bills a Top Concern for Customers in Western Virginia

Power plantAccording to Delegate Ward Armstrong, rising electricity costs tops the list of concerns of his constituents. During the current General Assembly session he plans to introduce legislation to mitigate the impact being felt by families. According to the Dan River news, Appalachian Power increased its rates by 15.5% on December 12, 2009 and has proposed another rate hike that is pending approval by the State Corporation Commission. Howeowners throughout the state may see similar increases as well.

 

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Posted on Thursday, January 14, 2010 - 10:18am

Sen. Mark Warner Proposes Economic Development Legislation

Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) is proposing federal legislation to better position localities, especially those in distressed areas, to recruit new businesses. He made his announcement in Danville yesterday regarding a bill that would provide federal loans of up to $10,000 per job to localities to help attract businesses to the United States. As former Governor, Warner brought a unique perspective and pro-business approach having built his own business over many years - a business that became quite sucessful. He grew frustrated, however, in keeping the United States competitive on a global scale. With this legislation, his goal is to keep Virginia "in the game" with increased incentives for businesses searching for a new location.

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Posted on Tuesday, January 12, 2010 - 11:22am

Green Rock Neighbors Concerned Over Incoming Inmates

Although it could help save jobs and keep the Green Rock facility, many residents are against the state signing a contract that would move over 1,000 inmates to the facility, according to the Danville Register Bee.

The residents are concerned about the inmates possibly escaping, and that the transferred from PA are higher-level criminals that will be more difficult to manage.

"While Virginia irons out a contract with Pennsylvania to transfer 1,000 inmates to Green Rock Correctional Center, residents less than a quarter mile from the facility along Beverly Heights Road wonder how the move will impact their community."

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Posted on Thursday, January 7, 2010 - 11:53pm

MBC Announces Grants for Last-mile Broadband Projects in Southside

The Virginia Tobacco Commission awarded grants to the Mid-Atlantic Broadband Copperative (MBC) to help provide broadband access to rural areas in Southside Virginia, according to WPCVA.com.

This is a huge need in these rural markets. Broadband access allows these localities to be competitive for attracting businesses. It also brings great educational opportunities to the area. These features are valuable to protecting and increasing property values.

"The Mid-Atlantic Broadband Cooperative (MBC), a successful open-access fiber optic backbone provider in rural markets, is pleased to announce that $1,514,143 was awarded to MBC Members as part of a last-mile matching grant program, funded by the Virginia Tobacco Commission.

These awards will enable deployment of broadband services for residential and business customers in unserved communities in Southern Virginia.

The 50/50 matching grants were awarded to:

CenturyLink, for an ADSL deployment in 14 digital loop carrier serving areas currently served by dial-up Internet access, located in Campbell, Prince Edward, Halifax, Pittsylvania, Henry and Patrick Counties;

DigitalBridge Communications, for expansion of its existing WiMAX deployment in Appomattox County;

Jet Broadband, for high-speed wireless deployment in two targeted areas in Charlotte County and Mecklenburg County; and

Telpage, for a broadband wireless deployment in Greensville County."

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Posted on Thursday, December 10, 2009 - 12:30am

Southside's First Solar Power Project Coming to Danville

Southside's first solar power project will be coming to Danville's Community Market, according to GoDanRiver.com.

The project is funded by federal stimulus money, and being used by Danville Utilities to purchase and install the panels. This is a great beginning for a long-term and sustainable clean energy economy in Southside.

Homeowners can appreciate this news because it is the start of a new industry in the area which can bring in new jobs, boost the local economy, increase the tax base and increase property values.

"Danville’s Community Market will be the recipient of the first solar power project by a utility in Southside, thanks to $202,000 in federal stimulus funds, according to a letter from the city manager to City Council and Mayor Sherman Saunders.

Danville Utilities will use the funding to buy and install solar photovoltaic electric generation panels on the Community Market building at the Crossing of the Dan. The U.S. Department of Energy awarded Danville the 'Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant,' which was distributed to the largest cities and counties in Virginia and other states as part of the federal stimulus bill.

According to the letter, 'this will be the first solar power generation project undertaken by a utility in Southside Virginia.' The funds must be spent so as to create and/or retain jobs, 'while laying the foundation for a long-term and sustainable clean energy economy.'

Funding for the project is included in the Fiscal Year 2010 budget.

The electricity generated will both supply the Community Market building and supplement the city’s purchased power.

City Manager Lyle Lacy and Mayor Saunders could not be reached for comment Sunday. City Council will vote on the ordinance Tuesday."

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Posted on Tuesday, November 17, 2009 - 6:24pm