Vacant lots are a problem for towns throughout Appalachia, but in Radford, Virginia, city leaders have brought life back to two empty pockets of the community. The Carson’s Drug Store building stood in the heart of downtown Radford for nearly a century. A fire in 1992 turned the site into a heap of burned-out debris.… Continue Reading Season Six, Episode Six
Tag Archives: downtown revitalization
Season Six, Episode Five
Ann Taylor Wright realized that spending a few hours each week selling meat products to farmer’s market customers wouldn’t keep her sixth-generation family farm afloat. She approached leaders in the nearby town of South Hill, Virginia, with the idea of creating a food hub – a place where meats and produce could be processed and… Continue Reading Season Six, Episode Five
Season Six, Episode Four
Confronted with railroad layoffs that all but demolished the local economy, Erwin, Tennessee, took a sordid event from its past and created a new selling point for the town. Once the site of unspeakable cruelty, Erwin now brings in tourists and raises money for The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee. Also in the episode, viewers will… Continue Reading Season Six, Episode Four
Season Six, Episode Three
A new idea for an old mountain road is lighting an economic fire in Tazewell, Virginia. The town, whose fortunes had fallen with the coal industry, now is a destination for motorcycle and sports car enthusiasts from around the world. Speaking of roads, the Small Town Big Number segment takes a jog down memory lane,… Continue Reading Season Six, Episode Three
Marion, Virginia – Season wrapup
Accomplishments and setbacks in Marion, Virginia — the town we followed for a year.
Season Six, Episode One
Up-and-comers in Wytheville, Virginia – in search of bold ideas – weren’t happy with how things were playing out at Town Hall. See how a younger generation of leaders made their voices heard and began to change the face of downtown.
Season Five, Episode Three
Christiansburg, Virginia, bets on a high-priced, high-stakes asset to make a big splash and Marion looks at a winning scheme to pump up its downtown. Plus learn where to find billions of dollars in USDA money and get an expert tip from the Appalachian Citizen’s Law Center.
Season Five, Episode Two
In Lewisburg, West Virginia, all signs show that appearances count. Marion, Virginia, preserves its heritage while looking toward a vibrant future. And Mayor David Horton talks about making Radford a well-known gem in the region.
Season Five, Episode One
Glen Lyn’s one-of-a-kind mayor explains his modus operandi, and Save Our Towns mentor Andrew Davis offers his best-yet advice to towns.
Season Five Preview
This one-minute preview provides a snapshot of what to expect in Save Our Towns, Season 5, which will follow the town of Marion and provide great aerial views of the mountain valley pipeline construction in southwest Virginia county.
