Our Community Heroes for January are individuals making Southwest Virginia a travel destination to see wild elk. After 150 years without elk in Southwest Virginia, Buchanan County has reintroduced this once-thriving population and is encouraging tourism by offering elk tours at Breaks Interstate Park. Photo courtesy of Breaks Interstate Park.
Pennington Gap receives $150K for phase 2 of the SOLVE IT Prize
Pennington Gap received $150,000 in recognition of the town’s work in developing solar and clean energy initiatives in the community. The funds are from phase 2 of the Department of Energy’s Solutions for Lasting, Viable Energy Infrastructure Technologies Prize. Securing this prize makes the town eligible to compete for $500,000 in phase 3.
Community members from the town of Pound gathered to ask questions, provide input, and learn details about a proposed riverwalk project with architects from Hill Studios. The project, which is in early planning stages, would provide downtown Pound with a greenspace following the Pound River and would provide walkability, access to nature and recreational opportunities.
UVA Wise celebrates opening of Virginia Humanities Center
UVA Wise announced the launch of a new hub that will celebrate Southwest Virginia’s unique heritage and culture. Virginia Humanities at UVA Wise is the second of several new regional humanities centers being launched and will provide the college and larger community with resources to expand, elevate, and highlight humanities projects and conversations in the region.
Santa Train delivers hope and magic to Central Appalachia
For the 82nd year, the Santa Train visited Southwest Virginia via the CSX Railroad, stopping in small towns along the way to deliver more than 15 tons of gifts to children in coal country. The train follows 110 miles of railroad tracks, and this year the initiative was expanded to Erwin, Tennessee, as a recognition of the loss community members faced during Hurricane Helene.
It’s a new year and Virginia’s General Assembly will kick off its legislative session on Jan. 8! Our team will be at the state capitol in Richmond working on priority bills to ensure:
Virginia transitions to a clean energy economy by 2050
Methane gas pipeline safety standards are strengthened
Data center growth is managed responsibly to protect our communities and environment
Communities in Southwest Virginia aren’t left behind as Virginia transitions away from coal dependence
Join our webinar on Wednesday, Jan. 15, at 6 p.m. to get a preview of what’s to come during the 2025 General Assembly!
