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In Brief . . .
Highland County Economic Development Authority
¦ The EDA has endorsed a list of regional strategic initiatives circulated by the Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission. The list has been endorsed by more than 70 organizations in the Valley, including all 10 local governments. The CSPDC and Shenandoah Valley Partnership have jointly sponsored it for nine years. The initiatives promote quality of life and eco-friendly regional land use polices, emphasize secondary and higher education, technology and telecommunications infrastructure, and recognize tourism as a diverse and viable economic development engine.
¦ The EDA went into closed session to discuss the implications to the county of the closing of the Stonewall Veterinary Clinic and to talk about action the EDA can take to address the situation. The closed session was intended to avoid any conflict with ongoing negotiations between the clinic and those potentially interested in taking over the practice. The EDA wished to avoid any speculation or start any rumors based on names that may be brought up by having the discussion in closed session. The authority also discussed a potential business startup in the county. No action was taken.
¦ The EDA appointed member Bryan Obaugh to a loose-knit, private committee forming to identify the economic needs and ideas of county residents in their 20s and 30s. Obaugh said the committee is being organized by Todd Frye and Amanda Lindsey, who have identified 70 people in that age bracket for inclusion and hope to attract at least 30 people to the first meeting in late January or early February. The objective of the initial meeting is to have the demographic group in their 20s and 30s sit down together to talk about where they think the county ought to be headed. "The group organizers need to be congratulated," said EDA member Clay Hamilton. "EDA should be there." Anyone is welcome to be a part of the group, but the focus is on the younger generation and its ideas, Obaugh said. Obaugh is not a member of the group, but the EDA directed him to attend its meetings.
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