Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission News
Celebrating 50 Years of Regional Service
Regional Commission Through the Years
2013
The Partnership for a Livable Roanoke Valley was one of 45 regions in the nation to be awarded a Regional Sustainable Communities Grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
You're Invited to the Regional Commission's 50th Anniversary Celebration
Regional Commission Participates in Career Quest
On September 18th and 19th, the Regional Commission participated in the first Annual Career Quest, hosted by Virginia Career Works.

During this event, approximately 5,000 seventh graders from across the Roanoke region gathered at the Salem Civic Center for two days. The event was created to help students to learn about potential careers through hands on activities.

For more information on Career Quest, visit: https://vcwblueridge.com/
RIDE Solutions Nominated for Perry F. Kendig Award
The Perry F. Kendig Arts and Culture Awards program strives to: Showcase the quality and diversity of artistic excellence throughout the greater Roanoke region, Recognize outstanding support of arts and culture, and celebrate exemplary arts and cultural organizations.

This year, RIDE Solutions was nominated for a Perry F. Kendig award due in part to partnerships with the Roanoke Arts Commission, the Art Mural Project, and other organizations while working to integrate art into the community of transportation. The Art by Bus program and Starline Performance Series, where art, music, and literature are implemented into travel with rolling galleries and concerts, are just a few of the many projects RIDE Solutions has initiated.

For more information on the Kendig Awards, visit: https://kendig.press.hollins.edu/
Regional Commission Staff Research "Makerspaces"
Staff is researching models for creating successful “Makerspaces” in our local communities. A Makerspace is typically a collaborative workspace that is open to members, , or students to share ideas and tools and create things in a hands-on environment. We have visited Vector Space in Lynchburg, the Staunton Makerspace, and Roanoke’s own Maker Mart. Staff is in the process researching other elements that create a sustainable model and will present the information to interested localities later this year. 

For more information, please contact Matt Miller at mmiller@rvarc.org.
RIDE Solutions Director Attends Distracted Driving Summit
RIDE Solutions director, Jeremy Holmes, attended the 7th annual Distracted Driving Summit organized by Drive Smart Virginia at the Hotel Roanoke. 

Topics of the summit included the potential impacts of new automated vehicle technology on driver attentiveness, in-vehicle technology the mitigate the impact of cell phone use while driving, and corporate strategies for reducing distracted-driving-related crashes in fleet vehicles. 

Roanoke area law-enforcement had a significant presence at the summit, indicating the extent to which distracted driving has surpassed even drunk driving as the most critical safety issue on our highways. 

Throughout the many presentations given by insurance industry representatives and transportation researchers across the country there was one clear conclusion: put your phone down when you’re behind the wheel.

For more information on the Distracted Driving Summit, visit: https://www.drivesmartva.org/distracted-driving-summit/
Ongoing Projects
The Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission is always working with localities on projects that benefit the region. Some of these projects are listed below.

  • Greenway Support
  • Local Food Plan
  • Rural Bikeway Plan
  • Urban Forestry Council
  • Working with local governments, tourism organizations, and the private sector on a promotional campaign for the Roanoke River Blueway
  • Working with the regional local foods partners to examine "Food Hub" needs in the region

For more information on ongoing projects contact  Tim Pohlad-Thomas   or visit  RVARC.org .