An idea whose time has Come: A Fire & EMS Station in Daleville
Editor:
An idea whose time has come. At least it should be for those county residents who live in the Daleville community. Daleville is a growing, vibrant community with many housing developments, apartments, and businesses all along the Route 220 corridor. But the closest emergency services are at Troutville or Read Mountain. A station in Daleville has been discussed at various times but never acted upon for many reasons.
The whole of the Daleville community must rely on distant stations for their emergency services. It is time for the county to step up and build an emergency services station in the Daleville area. There are a number of county owned properties that could be easily used, such as the land near the new administration building or land near the Greenfield Elementary School. It would not have to be a million-dollar building. A simple metal building with truck bays and living space would get the job done.
This would also allow the career staff to be able to move from some of the volunteer stations they now share. The career fire truck could move from Read Mountain to the new Daleville station and would be much more centrally located to the whole county and would not have to share space with the volunteers at Read Mountain. Even the career ambulance from Troutville could relocate to the Daleville station for a more central location and it would be closer to the larger population in Daleville.
So, if you live in Daleville and think it’s time you had an emergency services station in your community, let your Amsterdam District Supervisor Steve Clinton know of your concerns and needs. His email is sclinton@botetourtva.gov.
Michael Rock
Blue Ridge
Rocky Forge a catalyst for economic development
Editor:
The Commonwealth has worked hard to become one of the nation’s clean energy capitals over the last couple of years. The 100 percent clean electricity goal set by the Virginia Clean Economy Act (VCEA) catalyzed economic growth and innovation throughout the state, none of which will be slowing down anytime soon. The state’s rise in clean energy deployment opens opportunities for the entire Commonwealth, and especially for Southwest Virginia to diversify its economy and generation mix – a much-needed opening in a time where the economics for coal, the foundational economic driver for most of the region, are unlikely to rebound.
While the coastal region breaks records with the nation’s largest offshore wind farm currently in development, Southwest Virginia is pioneering its own path. The Rocky Forge wind farm, an Apex Clean Energy onshore wind project currently slated for 14 turbines standing at 680 feet, would be the first project of its kind in the Commonwealth. A catalyst for regional economic development, Rocky Forge would provide an additional $20-$25 million in state and county tax revenue over the life of the project, with millions of dollars expected to be injected into Botetourt County’s economy.
Figures like these are common for wind projects. Virginia neighbors in eastern North Carolina, Pasquotank County, and Perquimans County, have seen a tax revenue increase of over $600,000 a year combined, from the Amazon US East wind farm. These figures double when land-lease payments are included. Botetourt County should capitalize on its abundant wind resources to provide tax revenues that can help to fund local schools, hospitals, police, and fire departments, as well as keep property taxes low for current residents.
The Rocky Forge wind project will require 250 full-time equivalent jobs during the construction phase and seven full-time permanent operations and maintenance jobs. The median annual wage for wind turbine technicians in 2020 was over $56,000 (BLS).
These economics are especially relevant to Virginia’s Southwest region. A recent Virginia Mercury article noted that Southwest Virginia “remained one of the state’s most economically distressed regions,” with median household incomes ranging from $29,000 to a little over $42,000. The steep decline of coal used for electricity presents Southwest Virginia with both obstacles and opportunities – let’s capitalize on those opportunities. Already, developers are looking at the region as a potential location to build new solar and storage, solidified by the 16,000MW solar and onshore wind requirement in the VCEA. Since onshore wind’s generating profile is complementary to solar, the electricity produced by the Rocky Forge wind farm would help to meet both the state’s energy and the county’s economic needs.
Ensuring that Rocky Forge continues to progress is a crucial step in diversifying Southwest Virginia’s economy and signals to investors that the region is open for business. Wind development is one of the best economic development tools available to our rural counties and should be taken advantage of. Botetourt County will be a prime example of our new clean energy economy, while Rocky Forge stands ready to create family-sustaining jobs for Virginians.
Katharine Kollins, President
Southeastern Wind Coalition
Horseman’s Association thanks sponsors
Editor:
The Botetourt County Horseman’s Association would like to thank all our sponsors whose donations supported our annual horse show. We appreciate your support and thank you for your generosity.
The following businesses, organizations, and individuals are our generous sponsors: Bedford Eclectic 4-H Club, Botetourt Funeral Home & Crematory, Buchanan Flea Market, Burnin M Farrier Service – Storm Myers, Cahoon’s Florist & Gift Shop, Cedar Lane Farm – Bob and Phyllis Woodie, Keith Lawrence Cook, Rachel Cook, Rachel Cook and Nathan Meadows, Cora and Wade, Crow Feather Farm – Valerie Brugh, Double Diamond Saddlery, Heath’s Farrier Service, Whitney Hogan, Hugh’s Transportation, Kate Lawrence, LG Performance Horses/Training – Nellie Gaither, Lou’s Original and Chic Cowgirl Boutique, Lynda McGarry, Martha Moses-DVM, Martin Embroidery & Screen Printing, Rocky Road Farm, Squirrel’s Nest, Stephanie Surprenant, Stylin Shed – Lori Grim, The Mane Attraction Drill Team, and Triple M Farms – Lesley Morris.
Botetourt County Horseman’s Association Board
Rebekah Woodie, Board Member
