On May 13, 2015 the New River Valley Regional Commission board of directors hosted a dinner event modeled after a food truck rodeo at the Hotel Floyd to honor their annual award recipients. During the awards ceremony the New River Valley Planning District Commission formally announced the agency name change to the New River Valley Regional Commission. The new tagline is, “Strengthening the Region through Collaboration.” Approximately 100 local government elected officials, state and federal representatives, and planning commission chairs were in attendance.
Mr. Ken Anderson, founder and CEO of Anderson and Associates in Blacksburg, VA, received the Citizen of the Valley award. This award is given to a citizen within the New River Valley who has made significant contributions to the betterment of the region. He established the engineering firm Anderson and Associates in 1968 from his home in Blacksburg while working on his Master’s degree at Virginia Tech. Mr. Anderson has been a driving force in economic development and progress for Southwest Virginia over the past four decades. Countless engineering projects for infrastructure such as public water and sewer, industrial parks, roads, and railways conducted by Anderson and Associates have directly shaped economic opportunities for the region. He has also served the region in numerous economic development leadership roles as Chair for the New River Valley Economic Development Alliance, Co-Vice Chair for the New Century Council, Vice-President of Economic Development for the Virginia Chamber of Commerce, and Chair of the Montgomery County Industrial Development Authority.
Mr. Rick Boucher, 9th Congressional District Representative from 1983-2011, received the Champion of the Valley award. This award is given to an elected official within, or representing, the New River Valley who has greatly assisted communities and residents during their service to the public. During Mr. Boucher’s 28 years of service to the 9th District the region benefitted significantly from his representation in Washington, DC. He actively shaped legislation and programs which established the internet and greatly assisted communities in Southwest Virginia in gaining access to the critical infrastructure. In the New River Valley, his office helped the region obtain approximately $11 million in grant funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to deploy world-class broadband fiber. He was a tireless champion of the region when meeting with business prospects and encouraging their location in the region. Dish Networks located in Christiansburg at Montgomery County’s Falling Branch Industrial Park is a prime example. He consistently encouraged the establishment of high quality communities not only for the benefit of tourism attraction, but to create places where people would want to call home.
For further information, please contact Kevin Byrd (kbyrd@nrvrc.org), 540-639-9313, ext. 212.