Carroll County approves nonbinding support for Blue Ridge Rising project; asks for strategic plan

The Carroll County Board of Supervisors approved a resolution to send a letter of support for Blue Ridge Rising, a project that has obtained funding for repairs along the Blue Ridge Parkway. The board recorded the vote as unanimous and clarified the county will not commit funds through the letter.

Mister Watson, a county staff member, told the board the resolution is “a resolution in support of Blue Ridge Rising” and that the group had received funding to make repairs and improvements along the parkway. “So it’s not gonna cost the county any funds,” Watson said, describing the letter as a community endorsement that other localities had already provided.

Board members asked for the Blue Ridge Rising strategic plan before committing support. One supervisor noted the project has four action items including implementation of a strategic plan and asked to see the plan; Watson said he had received a copy and would circulate it. Watson also explained that Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) funding is limited to areas eligible under ARC rules, but that other funding sources for the project cover work across the corridor.

Watson said one element of the strategic plan is wayfinding signage to help motorists find local services when exiting the parkway. He described the approach as a cooperative effort with the parkway authority to place signage where allowed and to promote local businesses and attractions.

The board approved the resolution by unanimous vote (Mister Early; Mister Bryant; Mister Horton; Mister Collins; Mister Moore; and the presiding chair recorded yes). The vote record as transcribed shows no county funding is committed by the action.