Highland County Economic Development Authority’s April Meeting

At the April meeting of the Highland County Economic Development Authority, Chair Jessica Glendinning announced her resignation from the EDA, saying it was her last meeting.    EDA member Chad Kimble will serve as Chair for the next two months, then his term expires.  Kimble said he will be resigning in June when his term is up.  The EDA is seeking interested applicants to fill these two seats, one to begin as soon as possible and one to begin in July.    The EDA will vote later to select from among it’s members a new Chairperson, who will lead meetings beginning in July.

The EDA went into closed session to discuss Incentive Grants and voted to award grants to four of the applicants.  The recipients will be announced after the funding is approved by the Board of Supervisors.

The EDA voted unanimously to write a letter of support for Christoph Herby of Tonoloway Farm.  He is applying for a grant to expand production of black walnut syrup.

Betty Mitchell reported on the progress of the Highland Inn renovation.  She said plans are being finalized on the demolition of the interior of the inn.

Mitchell also reported on a program that provides telework resources for employers through the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation.  The program is free and it helps with telework policies, training, technology and more.  Visit www.teleworkva.org for more information.

Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Chris Swecker reported on Tourism Council work.  He said work is still ongoing on the creation of a welcome sign at the top of Shenandoah Mountain.  The Tourism Council is moving it’s monthly meeting start time from 5pm to 7pm and a concierge’s map for visitors that lists local attractions should be ready by the end of June, with plans to update it annually.

Story By

Bonnie Ralston

Bonnie Ralston is the Assistant Station Coordinator at WVLS and a Highland County news reporter. She began volunteering at Allegheny Mountain Radio in the fall of 2005. In 2006 she became an AMR employee and worked in Bath County for eight years as the WCHG Station Coordinator and then as the news reporter there. She began working in radio while in college and has stayed connected to radio, in one way or another, for more than thirty years. She grew up in Staunton, Virginia, while spending a lot of time on her family’s farm in Deerfield, Virginia. She enjoys spending time outside, watching old TV shows and movies and tending to her chickens.

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