Regional commission outlines opioid, transportation and EV priorities to Roanoke County supervisors
May 15, 2024 | Roanoke County, Virginia
This article was created by AI summarizing key points discussed. AI makes mistakes, so for full details and context, please refer to the video of the full meeting. Please report any errors so we can fix them. Report an error »
Jeremy Holmes, executive director of the Roanoke Valley Alleghany Regional Commission, briefed the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors on May 14 about regional projects that affect the county, including a coordinated opioid-abatement and recovery initiative, transportation advocacy related to SmartScale scoring and anticipated state rule changes, and a regional legislative agenda that includes I‑81 funding and workforce housing.
Holmes described the Roanoke Valley collective response — an intergovernmental effort incorporating health professionals, nonprofits and local officials that came under the regional commission in 2021 — and the commission's role helping localities access Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority funds. "We worked with them as they stood up," Holmes said, adding the commission helps multiple governments access cooperative grants that require two or more localities to collaborate.
On transportation, Holmes told the board the commission engaged the Commonwealth Transportation Board after proposed SmartScale rule changes raised concerns that the region's project submissions could be limited or deprioritized in favor of congestion projects in other parts of the state. He said the CTB did not adopt the worst of the proposed changes at its December and January meetings but cautioned work will continue to keep the region competitive in future rounds.
Holmes also described an asset-mapping update with Virginia Tech to inventory regional recovery housing, workforce training and other services so residents need not travel outside their communities for help. He noted an electric-vehicle market study requested by Roanoke County is underway and is expected to be complete "within the next month," designed to help localities capture federal and IIJA funding for charging infrastructure.
Board members praised the briefing and asked how the commission's work delivers direct benefit to Roanoke County residents. Mister Radford noted that the commission helps the county secure federal transportation dollars and touted the commission's pocket-card legislative tool for quick communication with legislators. Chairman North and other members also cited recent state budget developments, saying the Commonwealth allocated $70 million for I‑81 and that an additional $175 million could follow depending on revenue trends; Holmes and board members discussed continuing engagement with Richmond staff and CTB representatives.
Holmes closed by offering copies of the commission's annual report and by inviting questions; the board asked no further action and thanked him for the update.
What happens next: The county will continue to work with RVARC on SmartScale submissions, EV market study outcomes and regional grant opportunities tied to opioid-abatement and recovery programs.
Holmes described the Roanoke Valley collective response — an intergovernmental effort incorporating health professionals, nonprofits and local officials that came under the regional commission in 2021 — and the commission's role helping localities access Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority funds. "We worked with them as they stood up," Holmes said, adding the commission helps multiple governments access cooperative grants that require two or more localities to collaborate.
On transportation, Holmes told the board the commission engaged the Commonwealth Transportation Board after proposed SmartScale rule changes raised concerns that the region's project submissions could be limited or deprioritized in favor of congestion projects in other parts of the state. He said the CTB did not adopt the worst of the proposed changes at its December and January meetings but cautioned work will continue to keep the region competitive in future rounds.
Holmes also described an asset-mapping update with Virginia Tech to inventory regional recovery housing, workforce training and other services so residents need not travel outside their communities for help. He noted an electric-vehicle market study requested by Roanoke County is underway and is expected to be complete "within the next month," designed to help localities capture federal and IIJA funding for charging infrastructure.
Board members praised the briefing and asked how the commission's work delivers direct benefit to Roanoke County residents. Mister Radford noted that the commission helps the county secure federal transportation dollars and touted the commission's pocket-card legislative tool for quick communication with legislators. Chairman North and other members also cited recent state budget developments, saying the Commonwealth allocated $70 million for I‑81 and that an additional $175 million could follow depending on revenue trends; Holmes and board members discussed continuing engagement with Richmond staff and CTB representatives.
Holmes closed by offering copies of the commission's annual report and by inviting questions; the board asked no further action and thanked him for the update.
What happens next: The county will continue to work with RVARC on SmartScale submissions, EV market study outcomes and regional grant opportunities tied to opioid-abatement and recovery programs.
View the Full Meeting & All Its Details
This article offers just a summary. Unlock complete video, transcripts, and insights as a Founder Member.
✓
Watch full, unedited meeting videos
✓
Search every word spoken in unlimited transcripts
✓
AI summaries & real-time alerts (all government levels)
✓
Permanent access to expanding government content
30-day money-back guarantee
