Blue Ridge Crossroads Accomplishments

Jerry Davis Award

The Blue Ridge Crossroads Economic Development Authority was recognized for its innovative, creative, and visionary approaches to entrepreneurial development in the Appalachian Region. The authority received a cash award of $10,000.

The Council for Rural Virginia’s Best-Practices Award

The CRV gives the award annually to a program or institution “that exemplifies commitment and service” to advancing rural communities and/or issues in the Commonwealth.

Entrepreneurial Region of Virginia

In 2004, the Virginia General Assembly designated Carroll and Grayson Counties, along with the city of Galax as “The Entrepreneurial Region of Virginia”.

2010

  • Crossroads Small Business Development Center’s clients reach an aggregate $40 million in funding.
  • 600th new job created/retained with assistance from the Crossroads Small Business Development Center.
  • The Town of Fries received $193,000 in grant money from the Virginia Tobacco Indemnification Commission for downtown revitalization; this award was followed by a $1 million Community Development Block Grant.
  • BRCEDA was awarded a $1 million grant by the Virginia Tobacco Indemnification Commission for the development of the Wildwood Commerce Park.
  • Crossroads Institute was awarded the Southwestern Virginia Technology Council award for High Tech Excellence in Education.
  • BRCEDA signed an option on 167 acres of the Wildwood Commerce Park development.
  • Crossroads SBDC hosted received accreditation from the Association for Small Business Development Centers.

2009

  • Virginia Tobacco Indemnification Commission awards an additional grant to expand the produce cooling system at the Southwest Virginia Farmers Market.
  • Wired Road begins operation of Phase I, and receives additional funding of $4,000,000.
  • BRCEDA and Town of Fries receive $1,000,000 grant via Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development to begin downtown revitalization efforts.
  • 100th new business formed with assistance from the Southwest Regional Enterprise Center and the Crossroads Small Business Development Center.
  • Crossroads Small Business Development Center’s clients reach an aggregate $35 million in funding.
  • 500th new job created/ retained with assistance from the Crossroads Small Business Development Center.
  • BRCEDA is selected by The Council for Rural Virginia to receive the Best Practices Award for entrepreneur development.
  • The Region is selected by the Virginia Association of Counties to receive Achievement Award for Regional Collaboration.

2008

  • BRCEDA partnered with the US Small Business Administration to form Crossroads Small Business Development Center to serve the region’s entrepreneurs.
  • Localities of Carroll County, the City of Galax and Grayson County adopted a joint resolution to continue regional cooperation for economic prosperity.
  • BRCEDA is selected by the Appalachian Regional Commission & the University of North Alabama Foundation to receive the Jerry W. Davis Award for Entrepreneurial Excellence.
  • Crossroads Small Business Development Center’s clients reach an aggregate $20 million in funding.
  • Localities partner with People Incorporated of Southwest Virginia and Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development to initiate a $250,000 micro-enterprise loan program.
  • Wired Road regional broadband project receives initial funding of $1,026,000 from local and state partners.
  • BRCEDA enters into partnership with Town of Fries and Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development to execute the Town’s Master Plan.
  • Virginia Tobacco Indemnification Commission awards grant for produce cooling system at the Southwest Virginia Farmers Market.

2007

  • Localities of Carroll County, the City of Galax and Grayson County re-constitute the Rural Industrial Facilities Authority as the Blue Ridge Crossroads Economic Development Authority
  • Blue Ridge Crossroads Economic Development Authority forms The Wired Road Authority to expand broadband connectivity throughout the region

2006

  • Virginia Department of Housing & Community Development awards a $1 million grant for the redevelopment of the Fries former mill site.

2005

  • The Crossroads Rural Entrepreneurial Institute opens, providing an innovative educational and economic development engine, to include the Southwest Regional Enterprise Center and Wytheville Community College.

2004

  • Named Virginia’s Entrepreneurial Region by Virginia General Assembly