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Rockbridge supervisors back Blue Ridge Rising outreach; no county funds requested
Summary
The Rockbridge County Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted a resolution endorsing the Blue Ridge Rising initiative and its regional planning work, with county tourism staff named as local ambassadors. The foundation is seeking external grant funding but requested no county appropriation.
The Rockbridge County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Feb. 10 to adopt a resolution supporting Blue Ridge Rising, a regional initiative of the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation to link visitors to nearby towns and attractions.
Blue Ridge Rising aims to improve wayfinding, marketing and community planning along the Blue Ridge Parkway and is pursuing outside grants to fund the work. Kevin Brandt, representing the foundation, told the board the initiative is “in the very final stages of applying for a 5,100,000 grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission” and that counties would receive varying shares depending on local needs. Brandt said the program’s action plan totals roughly $12 million across the Parkway region, which averages about $400,000 per county but will vary by county based on number of access points and local priorities.
The board heard that the foundation is working with the National Park Service and other partners to install signage directing Parkway users into towns for services and cultural offerings. The county’s tourism director, Cheryl Wagner, is listed as Rockbridge’s designated ambassador and will serve as the local liaison to the project.
Supervisor Day moved to adopt the resolution as revised to name Rockbridge towns and cities (Glasgow, Goshen, Buena Vista and Lexington) rather than language copied from another county; the motion was seconded and passed on a 5–0 roll call.
The resolution and supporting materials distributed to the board state that no county funding was requested. Brandt said the foundation expects to distribute funding through grant and subgrant mechanisms and will coordinate priorities with county ambassadors. He also said the foundation will provide periodic updates to the county on projects implemented locally.
The board’s action is an endorsement of the initiative and does not commit county funds or create a county-administered program.
