The Town of Pembroke is finishing up an array of downtown improvement projects as part of the RALLY Southwest Virginia program. RALLY is a mini-grant program which provides a $3,000 award to communities in Southwest Virginia to implement a community development project through a team structure. More information about Opportunity SWVA and the Rally program is available at: https://www.opportunityswva.org/grants/rally-swva/. Pembroke is the second team in the New River Valley to receive a RALLY grant, following a project in Narrows last year. NRVRC staff has been working with groups in both Pembroke and Narrows on several related projects that build on the recent planning efforts to revitalize their downtown districts and encourage business development.
The project in Pembroke includes a metal sculpture of a woman fishing that is on display at the Pembroke Town Office, highlighting the outdoor recreation opportunities that are accessible at the nearby New River boat landing on River Road. To complement this display, a local Eagle Scout is constructing a sheltered kiosk with benches that will include a display case with maps and information on nearby attractions and businesses. Next door, the Pembroke Library (aka the ‘Littlest Library in Virginia’) has received donations from CELCO and the Pembroke Women’s Club for some much needed upgrades, including a new sign, new curtains, roof repairs, a new coat of paint, and designated parking spaces.
The Pembroke team will celebrate the completion of their RALLY project with an open house and ‘business appreciation’ event at the Pembroke Town Office on July 26th, from 11am-2pm.
For further information, contact Patrick O’Brien (pobrien@nrvrc.org) or 540-639-9313 x 206.