Grayson County Virginia Comprehensive Plan 2018 This planning document was prepared by the Grayson County Planning Commission, the Grayson County Board of Supervisors, and the Citizens of the Grayson County. The background research, writing, and assembly of the document were completed by County staff and staff of the Mount Rogers Planning District Commission. Acknowledgements This planning document was prepared by the Grayson County Planning Commission, the Grayson County Board of Supervisors, and the Citizens of the Grayson County. The background research, writing, and assembly of the document were completed by County staff and staff of the Mount Rogers Planning District Commission. This plan does not constitute a standard, specification, or regulation, rather a vision for the future of Grayson County. Grayson County Planning Commission Brian Walls (Chair), Don Dudley (Vice Chair), Dan Boyer, Robert Noblett, Lisa Hash, Charlie Ward, Michael Phipps, and George Whitaker Grayson County Board of Supervisors Brenda Sutherland (Chair), Kenneth R. Belton (Vice Chair), Thomas R. Revels, John S. Fant, Michael S. Hash County Staff William Shepley – County Administrator Mitch Smith – Assistant County Administrator Jada Black – Director of Planning & Zoning/Senior Permit Technician William A. Crawford – Director of Community Development & Tourism/Economic Development Technical Assistance Mount Rogers Planning District Commission Table of Contents Introduction .......................................................................... 1-1 Background and Purpose of Plan ............................................................................................ 1-1 Legal Basis for the Plan ........................................................................................................... 1-1 Updating the Plan ................................................................................................................... 1-1 History................................................................................... 2-1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 2-1 Grayson County Pre‐1800 ........................................................................................................ 2-1 Grayson County 1800‐1900 ..................................................................................................... 2-3 Grayson County 1900‐1950 ..................................................................................................... 2-4 Grayson County 1950‐2000 ..................................................................................................... 2-5 The Communities of Grayson County ..................................................................................... 2-6 Population and Housing ........................................................ 3-1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 3-1 Population ................................................................................................................................ 3-1 Housing .................................................................................................................................... 3-5 Strategies ................................................................................................................................. 3-6 Summary and Conclusions ...................................................................................................... 3-6 Education .............................................................................. 4-1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 4-1 Early Childhood Education ...................................................................................................... 4-1 Grayson County Schools ......................................................................................................... 4-2 Higher Education .................................................................................................................... 4-4 Additional Education Resources ............................................................................................. 4-4 Strategies ................................................................................................................................ 4-5 Summary and Conclusions ...................................................................................................... 4-6 Economy ............................................................................... 5-1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 5-1 Income and Poverty Characteristics ....................................................................................... 5-1 Employment Characteristics ................................................................................................... 5-3 Economic Development Organizations and Partnerships ...................................................... 5-8 Industrial Opportunities .......................................................................................................... 5-9 Asset‐based Development .................................................................................................... 5-10 Strategies ............................................................................................................................... 5-10 Summary and Conclusions .................................................................................................... 5-11 Agriculture and Forestry ....................................................... 6-1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 6-1 USDA Agricultural Census ....................................................................................................... 6-1 Local Food Initiative ................................................................................................................ 6-4 Food Deserts ........................................................................................................................... 6-5 Green Infrastructure Maps ..................................................................................................... 6-9 Agriculture Resources ............................................................................................................. 6-9 Comprehensive Plan P a g e | 1 FOREST RESOURCES .............................................................................................................. 6-10 Strategies ............................................................................................................................... 6-11 Summary and Conclusions .................................................................................................... 6-12 Transportation ...................................................................... 7-1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 7-1 Transportation Planning .......................................................................................................... 7-1 Roadways ................................................................................................................................. 7-8 Bicycle and Pedestrian Travel ................................................................................................ 7-13 Public Transit and Taxi Services ............................................................................................. 7-14 Rail Service ............................................................................................................................. 7-14 Air Travel ................................................................................................................................ 7-15 Strategies ............................................................................................................................... 7-16 Summary and Conclusions .................................................................................................... 7-16 Public Services, Facilities, and Utilities .................................. 8-1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 8-1 Local Government ................................................................................................................... 8-1 Public Services and Facilities ................................................................................................... 8-3 Utilities .................................................................................................................................... 8-8 Strategies ............................................................................................................................... 8-10 Summary and Conclusions .................................................................................................... 8-11 Health and Wellness ............................................................. 9-1 Introduction ...........................................................................................................................