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Wythe County planners get updates on Progress Park, broadband and a potential cannery grant
Summary
Engineer's and administrator reports covered Progress Park and field work, tennis-court bid options, broadband right‑of‑way outreach, and an unconfirmed cannery grant the deputy administrator said may provide design funding.
At the Jan. 5 Wythe County Planning Commission meeting, County Engineer Johnny Kincer and Deputy County Administrator Matt Hankins gave operational updates on county projects including Progress Park, a field at Exit 84, a DEQ complaint at Bottomley, and planned bids for tennis courts at Ager Park.
Kincer told the commission he will put the Ager Park tennis courts out to bid with two alternatives: renovate the existing courts or remove them and rebuild. He also provided updates on Progress Park and on a DEQ complaint connected with Bottomley; no final remedial decisions were recorded in the minutes.
Hankins updated the commission on broadband construction work under way on Swecker Town Road, Crawford Road, Major Grahams Road and Little Reed Island Road and said staff will meet residents on Jan. 13 about right‑of‑way issues on Bertha Farms Road. He summarized his recommendation that staff perform an initial review of the Comprehensive Plan and return suggested edits to the commission for deliberation.
Commission members asked about a potential cannery project. Hankins said the Governor’s office has identified some funding that could help with design work but cautioned the amount is not sufficient for major construction; he characterized the information as preliminary and said he had not yet briefed the Board of Supervisors. Commissioner George Mack Pruett and Mr. Burnett expressed support for establishing a cannery to support local producers.
The commission also heard discussion about regional power capacity and casino‑gaming revenue distribution: Hankins described the county as “a power rich community” based on existing transmission lines and substations, and the Board’s assessment that it should oppose a proposed change to the casino fund allocation formula that would shift a larger share to Bristol.
With no further business, the commission adjourned at 6:52 p.m.; its next meeting is Feb. 2, 2026.
