The Mount Rogers Planning District Commission 2018-2023 CEDS
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2018 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Mount Rogers Planning District Commission 1021 Terrace Drive phone: 276-783-5103 www.mrpdc.org Marion, VA 24354 Contents Chapter 1 - Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 3 1.1 General Description ....................................................................................................................... 3 1.2 History ........................................................................................................................................... 4 1.3 Partnerships................................................................................................................................... 5 1.4 Purpose & Methodology ................................................................................................................ 6 1.5 CEDS Committee and Staff Support ................................................................................................ 7 Chapter 2 - Regional Profile ..................................................................................................................... 9 2.1 Population ..................................................................................................................................... 9 2.2 Income......................................................................................................................................... 10 2.3 Wage Characteristics.................................................................................................................... 11 2.4 Poverty ........................................................................................................................................ 13 2.5 Employment Characteristics ......................................................................................................... 13 2.6 Labor Force and Unemployment .................................................................................................. 15 2.7 Educational Attainment ............................................................................................................... 16 2.8 Commuting Patterns .................................................................................................................... 16 2.9 Tourism ....................................................................................................................................... 17 2.10 Appalachian Regional Commission County Economic Status ....................................................... 18 Chapter 3 - Workforce Development ..................................................................................................... 20 Chapter 4 - Asset Based Development ................................................................................................... 22 Chapter 5 - Industry Cluster Analysis ..................................................................................................... 24 Chapter 6 - Vision and Strategies ........................................................................................................... 26 Chapter 7 - Vital Projects ....................................................................................................................... 31 Town of Abingdon ............................................................................................................................. 31 Bland County ..................................................................................................................................... 32 City of Bristol ..................................................................................................................................... 34 Carroll County.................................................................................................................................... 36 Town of Chilhowie ............................................................................................................................. 37 Town of Damascus ............................................................................................................................. 38 Town of Fries ..................................................................................................................................... 39 City of Galax ...................................................................................................................................... 40 Town of Glade Spring ......................................................................................................................... 41 Grayson County ................................................................................................................................. 42 Town of Hillsville................................................................................................................................ 43 Town of Independence ...................................................................................................................... 44 Town of Marion ................................................................................................................................. 45 Town of Rural Retreat ........................................................................................................................ 46 Smyth County .................................................................................................................................... 47 Town of Troutdale ............................................................................................................................. 49 Washington County ........................................................................................................................... 50 Wythe County.................................................................................................................................... 55 Town of Wytheville ............................................................................................................................ 58 Chapter 8 - Performance Measures ....................................................................................................... 59 Measurable Comparison .................................................................................................................... 59 Labor Force & Unemployment ........................................................................................................... 59 Mount Rogers Planning District Commission Page 1 2018-2022 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Income & Wages ............................................................................................................................... 59 Industry ............................................................................................................................................. 60 Local Projects .................................................................................................................................... 60 Appendix 1 – Strategic Industrial Sites ................................................................................................... 61 Appendix 2 – SET Plan ........................................................................................................................... 62 Mount Rogers Planning District Commission Page 2 2018-2022 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Chapter 1 - Introduction 1.1 General Description The Mount Rogers Planning District Commission (MRPDC), also known as the Mount Rogers Economic Development District, is comprised of the counties of Bland, Carroll, Grayson, Smyth, Washington, and Wythe and the independent cities of Bristol and Galax. While each jurisdiction in the district retains its individual character, they do share many common features. All of the jurisdictions are similar in that the region is mountainous. The region is divided into two physiographic provinces: the Blue Ridge Province and the Ridge and Valley Province. The jurisdictions share many major transportation routes and are interdependent with regard to labor exchange (i.e. commuting patterns), retail trade, shared problems, and shared opportunities. In all, the Planning District totals approximately 2,800 square miles and the 2016 estimated population is 188,993 (Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service). Population density is approximately 67.5 persons per square mile or 9.48 acres per person. In 1990, density was 64.2 persons per square mile or 9.97 acres per person. Although these figures continue to be relatively stable, they are also slightly misleading. Over 50 percent of all land in the district has slopes in excess of 15 percent. If lands with slope limitations were excluded from the equation, the density would rise above 138.7 persons per square mile. This is still a relatively low density, and it indicates the existence of developable land. The physical environment is largely unspoiled, and may be a key factor in stimulation of regional economic vitality. The natural barriers that the region has coped with have, historically, resulted in long-lasting infrastructure, income and employment effects. Thus, the region is concerned with the availability of jobs, finding profitable new and alternative agricultural products and markets, the development of cultural and recreational tourism, and developing cross-sector economic linkages, especially those that can take advantage of the region’s natural resources in