Kaine gives nod to Smyth museum for grant funds

By DAN KEGLEY/Staff

A Smyth County museum will benefit from a kind of parting gift from outgoing governor Timothy Kaine.
Before Kaine’s term ended, he announced a number of grants he recommended the Appalachian Regional Commission award across the region, including the $17,500 for the Settlers Museum of Southwest Virginia near Groseclose.
Now closed for winter, the Settlers Museum plans to undertake development of a master strategic plan. The plan will include a physical assessment of its historic farm structures to prioritize critical structural repairs, a market/branding study to increase visitor traffic to the facility, the development of concepts for additional programming, and an agricultural tourism feasibility study. 
The project will contribute to the long-term sustainability and economic growth of a 22-year-old Smyth County attraction, the governor’s office said.
The grants total $3.1 million and “will help support economic development, clean and safe water, workforce education programs, and cultural heritage tourism,” the governor’s office said.
The ARC is a federal-state partnership that works for sustainable community and economic development in Appalachia, assisting the region in achieving economic prosperity that more completely reflects the nation’s overall prosperity.  Each year the governor makes funding recommendations to the ARC for projects in Virginia’s Appalachian region.
“Each year projects funded through the Appalachian Regional Commission benefit Virginians in Southwest Virginia through increased access to clean water, economic development, educational programs, and healthcare,” Kaine said.  “Again I am recommending additional projects to the ARC for consideration that will draw tourism dollars to the region, strengthen the economic development efforts in the region, and create a better quality of life.”
Projects are awarded in two categories: Area Development Funding (AD) and Asset-Based Development Initiative Funding (ABD).  Projects funded through AD are designed to encourage economic development in the region by funding projects such as infrastructure, entrepreneurship support and workforce development.  Projects funded through ABD are designed to build a strong and sustainable asset-based economy by bringing jobs and prosperity to Appalachian communities, while preserving their character.
The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) has served as the designated agency for Virginia’s ARC program since its inception in 1965. 
“These grants focus on many areas key to the development of a healthy and thriving community,” said Bill Shelton, DHCD director.  “The funding of programs targeted toward economic development, infrastructure improvements, cultural heritage tourism and education work together as a comprehensive mix that will enable citizens of Southwest Virginia to enjoy a higher quality of life in a community where they are able to live, work, and do business.”
The Settlers Museum’s 67 acres feature a restored 19th-century living history farm complete with farmhouse and eight original outbuildings, plus the restored 1894 one-room Lindamood school.

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