While many Southwest Virginia towns have historically depended on the coal industry for jobs, residents of Appalachia, Virginia, made their voices heard after the tragic death of a child and may have helped preserve their town in the process. This month, we skip our update from Pearisburg to bring you feedback from Roanoke, where attendees… Continue Reading Season Two, Episode 4
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Season Two, Episode 3
In our third episode of the season, we see how Pocahontas, Virginia–a town of less than 400 residents–is using an exhibition coal mine to reclaim its place in coal mining history. We hear more from Pearisburg mayor Robert Dickerson about the importance of the town’s Farmers’ Market, while Tarah Kesterson of Virginia’s Department of Mines,… Continue Reading Season Two, Episode 3
Season Two, Episode 2
This episode take a look at the border towns of Bluefield and the different ways the two towns reacted to overtures from Walmart, while in Pearisburg, mayor Robert Dickerson is working to fill vacant storefronts downtown. Our expert tip comes from Basil Gooden of the USDA Rural Development Program, and we hear about projects from… Continue Reading Season Two, Episode 2
Season Two, Episode 1
As we return for the second season of Save Our Towns, we visit Clifton Forge, where students from Virginia Tech’s College of Architectural and Urban Studies helped build a bridge connecting to the arts. We introduce Pearisburg, Virginia, the town we will follow throughout season two, and mayor Robert Dickerson discusses the importance of having… Continue Reading Season Two, Episode 1
St. Paul end of season wrap-up
The first season of Save Our Towns is over, but we had to come back with an update on St. Paul, the town we followed for a year. How did mayor Kyle Fletcher fare in his goals to strengthen his town? Watch and see!
Episode 9
We wrap up the first season of Save Our Towns with a look at Buchanan, Virginia, and its Hokie connections. The town is now renowned as one of the best places in the United States to buy antiques, but once had a less-than-stellar reputation. The team reached out to Virginia Tech’s Community Design Assistance Center for… Continue Reading Episode 9
Episode 8
In this month’s Example of Awesome segment, broadband leads to industry in Lebanon, Virginia, and we ask three questions of mayor Tony Dodi, who praises the virtues of technology in his tiny town. Our look at St. Paul brings sad news with the passing of young business owner Brock Funk. Funk and his wife, Terri,… Continue Reading Episode 8
Episode 7
This month, we visit Bristol, Virginia, where leaders paid tribute to the town’s heritage by building the Birthplace of Country Music Museum, a state-of-the art facility with an $11 million price tag, and Catherine Brillhart shares her thoughts in three questions for a mayor. In St. Paul, mayor Kyle Fletcher discusses the town’s plans to transform… Continue Reading Episode 7
Episode 6
In this month’s Example of Awesome, we highlight the resilience of Pulaski, where a group of local investors bought vacant buildings in hopes of revitalizing the downtown area. Our faculty interview comes from Reed Kennedy of the Pamplin College of Business, whose students drew up business plans for one Pulaski entrepreneur, and we ask three… Continue Reading Episode 6
Episode 5
This month’s Example of Awesome shows how the town of Marion, recovering from the effects of the 2008 recession, encouraged new business by creating an eight-week entrepreneurship program. Also looking for new business is St. Paul mayor Kyle Fletcher, who hopes that the new wastewater treatment plant, now under construction, will draw industry into town. Randall… Continue Reading Episode 5
