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Purchase of former Intermet foundry sparks hope for Radford revitalization

Virginia Casting Industries plans to invest $9.1 million in the former Intermet foundry, turning it into a ductile iron components manufacturing operation that will employ 300 workers. The move has Radford city officials hoping -- and planning -- for more improvements.

Mayor-elect Bruce Brown plans to hold neighborhood meetings to find out what sort of development residents want to see and then seek federal grant money, such as Community Development Block Grants, in an effort to revitalize other parts of the city.

In the meantime, the start-up of the factory is pleasing city homeowners. "I'm glad to hear it's back, because the city of Radford needs the tax base," said city resident Noel Slone. "Without the tax base, the money has to come from somewhere -- and that's out of our pockets."

Read more in The Roanoke Times....

Posted on Monday, May 17, 2010 - 8:10pm

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

Study Recommends Regional 911 Center in Montgomery and Radford

Image from Paul KeleherA shared 911 communication center is the recommendation of a recent study prompted by improving emergency efforts in Montgomery County and the city of Radford, according to the Roanoke Times. Talks of enhancing emergency services have been increasing over the past couple years since the Va Tech massacre on April 16, 2007.


"A new study recommends that a shared emergency 911 communication center be created and used in Montgomery County and Radford.

The center could be shared by agencies in Montgomery County, Blacksburg, Christiansburg, Radford, Radford University and Virginia Tech, according to the study's findings. Currently, all six entities have separate dispatch centers and radio systems.

An $85,000 grant by the Virginia Information Technologies Agency funded a study to determine whether it is feasible to create such a regional 911 center. AECOM Design/CTA Communications conducted the study.

The localities have been exploring the concept of sharing their public safety dispatch centers for 20 years, but the April 16, 2007, Virginia Tech shootings "illuminated the challenges of interagency communications and brought about a new resolve to explore the feasibility of consolidating two or more of the dispatch centers in the region," according to the study."

Read full story.

Posted on Tuesday, July 28, 2009 - 3:19pm

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