Highland Inn Gets $1.75 Million Grant for Restoration
Phase two of the interior renovation of the Highland Inn in Monterey may soon begin after the nonprofit owner was awarded $1.75 million grant from the state.
Betty Mitchell, director of the Blue Grass Resource Center, which owns the hotel, briefed the Highland Economic Development Authority, or ADA, on the project during it’s Jan. 27th monthly meeting.
Mitchell told ADA members her organization was anxious to move forward with the restoration of the interior of the hotel. “We’re ready to roll it out, get bids and get started,” explained Mitchell. “It’s very exciting.”
Built in 1904, the Highland Inn is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a Virginia Historic Landmark. The historic structure’s exterior renovation, funded by grants and donations, has been completed.
The $1.75 million grant, which required 1/3 matching funds from applicants, was awarded by the Virginia Department of Historic Resources’ Virginia 250 Preservation fund.
Last year, Gov. Glenn Youngkin and the General Assembly established the fund to support capital improvements at historic sites. The improvements are in anticipation of a significant increase in visitors in 2026, the year of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
Mitchell added she will soon meet with officials with the Department of Historic Resources, which administers the funds from the grant program, in hopes of getting the bid process started.
Also during the Jan. 27th meeting, Mitchell, who is also the EDA treasurer, outlined a funding request to be submitted by Feb. 8th to the County Board of Supervisors for it’s fiscal 2026 operating budget. She proposed requesting $2,500 for EDA operating costs and $20,000 for incentive grants to be awarded by the authority.
Mitchell also suggested the funding request include notification that a future request for funds may come to cover a proposed business registry under consideration. No dollar amount was set as cost setup had not been determined. With that, EDA members approved the budget request suggested by Mitchell.
‘In addition, EDA members tabled sending letter of support requested by Austin Hall, an independent film maker who is directing a film titled “Valley of the Shadow.” In a letter, Hall noted the film would be a positive for economies in Highland and Bath counties because of lodging and dining needs by those associated in the film’s production. No action was taken pending Hall submitting a synopsis of the subject of the film.