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Regional commission briefs board: no SmartScale funding this round, calls for competitiveness fixes
Summary
The Roanoke Valley—Alleghany Regional Commission briefed the board on transportation, greenway and Blueway projects, saying the region received no SmartScale project funding in the last round and that a state analysis will inform future submissions. Commissioners noted a $1.7 million award for the Parkway Crossing greenway in Roanoke County and continued regional collaboration.
Jeremy Holmes, executive director of the Roanoke Valley—Alleghany Regional Commission, updated the Roanoke County Board on the commission's work and regional priorities including transportation, greenway planning and the Roanoke River Blueway.
Holmes said the commission leverages local dues against about $11 in state and federal resources and programs roughly $5 million a year in transportation funding for construction and studies. He told the board the region did not have any projects funded in the most recent SmartScale round and that the commission worked with the Office of Intermodal Planning and Investment to analyze why and to prepare more competitive project development going forward.
Holmes also noted a $1.7 million award for the Parkway Crossing greenway section in Roanoke County and described other investments supporting regional recreation and tourism, including Explorer Park events and trail maintenance initiatives.
Board members thanked the commission for its work and discussed steps to improve SmartScale submissions and legislative outreach to support competitive standing in future rounds.
