1990 Comprehensive Plan

ECONOMY

Montgomery County is a regional retail and educational center. Public agency employment is dormant in the region. In-migration of the labor force to the major employment centers is a historic force. Development of the economy is a well-supported county initiative. Goals, policies, and strategies to continue this initiative include:

Promote and develop the economy of the New River Valley to its fullest potential while diligently preserving our high environmental quality and unique cultural environment.

POLICY EC 1.1.0

The County, Blacksburg and Christiansburg should continue as a major force of economic development for the New River Valley. The projected regional population growth for the years 1990-2000 is +10,000 for the region of which +7,500 is for Montgomery County.

STRATEGY EC 1.1.1

Play a dominant role in the marketing of the New River Valley. The County should encourage the cooperation of regional economic development efforts to minimize competitiveness and maximize local resources.

STRATEGY EC 1.1.2

Encourage economic diversification in order to help accommodate the projected population growth for the County and to help provide employment for all county citizens.

POLICY EC 1.2.0

Provide economic opportunity in quality industry for all county residents.

STRATEGY EC 1.2.1

Attract new industrial development that can both utilize initial labor force skills and upgrade those skills with job experience and training. In this way employees can develop breadth and flexibility in their skills and also acquire a willingness to learn new skills over the long term.

STRATEGY EC 1.2.2

Work with existing industry and educational institutions to upgrade literacy and labor force skills in order to raise job productivity. Continual training is an essential ingredient for greater worker responsibility and commitment.

STRATEGY EC 1.2.3

Support New River Community College (NRCC) industry training programs including construction of a Regional Economic Development Center with facilities for classes, seminars, workshops and meeting space for training and retraining and current and future business and industrial employees.

POLICY EC 1.3.0

Encourage the development of start-up companies, entrepreneurial activities, small firms, corporate laboratories, or groups, and various specialized firms, which benefit residents of the County by cooperating with other existing resources and encouraging regional economic development.

POLICY EC 1.4.0

Encourage positive trends in commercial and industrial development.

STRATEGY EC 1.4.1

Support the redevelopment and diversification of existing commercial areas throughout the County by encouraging additional parking, landscaping, benches, etc.

STRATEGY EC 1.4.2

Encourage the planned commercial and industrial development of the 460 Corridor Area in order to provide compatible growth, retain important environmental qualities, and meet the needs of residents.

STRATEGY EC 1.4.3

Support business efforts to provide quality child-care facilities for their employees.

STRATEGY EC 1.4.4

Encourage businesses that use innovative hiring and employment practices such as flextime and job sharing.

POLICY EC 1.5.0

Work to retain high quality of life. A good balance between urban and rural areas should be continued.

STRATEGY EC 1.5.1

Designate land for both urban expansion and open space. Water and sewer should be extended to those areas designated for urban expansion.

STRATEGY EC 1.5.2

Develop and promote local and regional industrial parks and coordinate recreational opportunities with facility development.

POLICY EC 1.6.0

The County, Blacksburg and Christiansburg should identify and when appropriate procure additional industrial land.

STRATEGY EC 1.6.1

The County, Blacksburg and Christiansburg should provide necessary infrastructure and the appropriate zoning for future industrial sites to help in the marketing and development of such areas.

POLICY EC 1.7.0

Study and promote non-manufacturing forms of economic development such as agriculture, tourism, and retirement that take advantage of the County’s scenic beauty and excellent access via Interstate-81.

POLICY EC 1.8.0

Fund only organizations that support the county’s philosophy on economic development.

STRATEGY EC 1.8.1

Increase annual county funding in order to further cooperation and to emphasize the importance of economic development.

POLICY EC 1.9.0

Encourage additional education and open communication between economic development organizations. There is a need to maximize cooperation and minimize competition between organizations and localities.

POLICY EC 1.10.0

Support the Regional Economic Development Commission as the principal advisory body for encouraging existing business and industry to expand and to solicit new business and industry for Montgomery County. Support the New River Valley Economic Development Alliance as the main regional marketing force for economic development.

Develop criteria for Montgomery County to annually measure and evaluate progress with economic development. Data such as disposable income, retail sales, etc. should be collected, analyzed, and compared to a predetermined "yardstick".