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BUSINESS ATTRACTION & MARKETING
Promoting Montgomery County’s fantastic outdoor recreation options like kayacking at the New River Junction has been crucial for tourism as the COVID-19 pandemic has continued.
HOSPITALITY & TOURISM BOARDS & COMMISSIONS
Image Credit: Austin Hodges
TOURISM IN RECOVERY
In 2021, the Montgomery County Virginia Regional Tourism office focused on assisting and leading the destination through a recovery phase as Virginia opened its doors for travelers again. A revamp to the www.gotomontva.com website focused on the experiences that travelers could have in Montgomery County, Blacksburg, and Christiansburg. The office also focused on emphasizing the importance of tourism to the economy through continued partnerships and product development with their various collaborations.
The Montgomery County/Blacksburg/Christiansburg, Virginia Regional Tourism Office collaborates with local hospitality and tourism businesses, advocacy organizations, local government, secondary and higher education institutions, and civic organizations to attract visitors to the area for first-time, as well as for repeat visits. The program encourages longer stays and additional spending by building awareness for events and attractions throughout the community. The travel restrictions brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic created a dire situation for the hospitality and tourism businesses locally, as well as nationally and internationally. Losing visitation from collegiate-related travel generated by Virginia Tech and Radford University was a huge fallout from the pandemic. Youth amateur sports competitions, chiefly baseball and competitive swimming, have helped to bring travelers back into the area in 2021.
“The office has been focused on tourism recovery and building towards the future to welcome travelers into our community again. We have seen in our meals and lodging data that travel has been steadily on the rise throughout 2021 as we hoped, “said Irene Kilmer, who served as the Interim Executive Director of the Montgomery County Virginia Regional Tourism Office for much of 2021. “The office, much like the state of Virginia, has been in a state of transition as we recover from the pandemic, but I know that through 2021 our recovery has made us stronger as a region and that we have a bright future ahead with new leadership and initiatives.” The Economic Development Department provides administrative support to the following entities:
Lauren Colliver Paul Lancaster Brett Malone Peter Anderson Angela Joyner
Brenda Rigney - Secretary/Treasurer Marty McMahon - Legal Counsel Brian Hamilton - Department Director
The Economic Development Authority (EDA) was created in 1970 by the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors. The EDA has the authority to issue industrial development bonds as well as acquire, lease and/or sell real estate property. The EDA meets the third Tuesday of every month. The Department provides staff support to the EDA.
EDA DIRECTORS
James Taylor III - Chair Joe Ferrell - Vice Chair Eric Johnsen Michael Miller Mark Husband Reid Broughton Elli Travis
STAFF SUPPORT
Brian T. Hamilton – Secretary/Treasurer Brenda Rigney – Assistant Secretary/Treasurer Marty McMahon – Legal Counsel Craig Meadows – County Administrator Angie Hill – Finance Director
The Montgomery Regional Economic Development Commission (EDC) was created in 1982 by a resolution of the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors. The EDC acts in an advisory capacity on economic development matters for the County. It meets the fourth Thursday of every month. The Department provides staff support to the EDC.
EDC DIRECTORS
Michael Miller - Chair John Overton - Vice Chair Darrell Sheppard Steve Baffuto Michael Barber
STAFF SUPPORT
Brian T. Hamilton – Department Director Brenda Rigney – Secretary
MBC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
The MBC Development Corporation is a 501(c) 3 organization created in 1985 to enhance and broaden the employment base in Montgomery County by providing small business with low interest loans not available from conventional sources. Since its creation, the MBC has provided 40 small business loans totaling over $1.8 million.
BOARD MEMBERS
Tom Via - President John Cusimano - Vice President Michael Barber Brad Denardo Jason Hardy Nathan Hockersmith Robert Parks Michael Sutphin Jeanne Symanoskie Mary Biggs Stephanie Jennelle
STAFF SUPPORT
www. YesMontgomeryVA .org
MONTGOMERY COUNTY • VIRGINIA
BLACKSBURG • CHRISTIANSBURG • VIRGINIA TECH
755 Roanoke St., Suite 2H, Christiansburg, VA, 24073 (866) 270-9185 | YesMontgomeryVA.org Facebook & Twitter: @YesMontgomeryVA YouTube: YesMontgomeryVA Linkedin: Montgomery County VA Economic Development
