Foundation outlines development pipeline: pump track, gateways plans, Main Street assessments and Power grants

The foundation's development team presented a slate of projects and grant-driven initiatives in progress across Southwest Virginia.

Jen, the foundation's project lead, said design and planning for the Big Stone Gap pump track and skate park are complete and construction should begin in September with major work in October. Funding comprises ARC dollars, private foundation support, Cumberland Forest Fund money and a town allocation; Jen also said the family of Tyler Flannery helped fund a memorial skate element.

Jen and Catherine Fox outlined the gateway planning and Powell/Clinch outdoor recreation plan, saying public meetings yielded substantial community feedback and that final plans are expected for printing in July. Catherine said Power 23 (marketing) will provide hospitality workforce training, micro landing pages for tourism businesses and a year-long creative asset collection; Power 24 will fund asset mapping and an economic-analysis dashboard to support creative-economy development.

Jessica Lawrence summarized the ARC ARISE downtown assessments, saying consultants have produced market analyses and redevelopment strategies in multiple communities (Withersville, Galax, Pulaski) and that final reports are due in September.

Board members raised questions about data management and whether business-listing outputs could flow to Virginia Tourism's listings; Catherine and staff said feeds will mirror virginia.org and the foundation is working on interoperability for business listings and event feeds.