Supervisors request marketing push for Vinton Business Center, discuss regional project prioritization and I‑81 study

During reports and inquiries the board reviewed several economic and transportation topics.

Miss Shepherd, representing the Vinton magisterial district, asked economic development and procurement staff to prepare proposals or a request for proposals (RFP) to market the Vinton Business Center, a roughly 65‑acre grouping of parcels near the Blue Ridge Parkway. She suggested exploring two options: developing part of the site for residential uses to address local housing needs, and refurbishing an existing historic barn into a meeting or business space; she asked that staff present ideas to the Economic Development Authority.

Mister Mahoney reported on the regional comprehensive economic development strategy (SEDS/CEDS) committee. He said the regional list currently includes more than 120 projects and urged a focused list of top regional priorities — citing airport expansion and the Woodhaven site as examples — so the region can better compete for federal Economic Development Administration funding.

The chair reported meeting with Roanoke Valley–Alleghany Regional Commission transportation staff and JLARC (the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission) staff on a study of revenue options and congestion-related improvements on I‑81, a JLARC study initiated by Delegate Austin in 2023. Board members discussed the need for traffic and truck-volume projections, cost‑benefit analysis for adding lanes, and the feasibility of public‑private partnerships. The chair said the JLARC report is scheduled for completion by year-end.

Board members requested staff follow up on marketing and project-prioritization work; no formal votes or budget appropriations were recorded on these items during the meeting.