Tuesday, August 15, 2017

Two-day planning session outlines a vision to move county forward

By Doug Ford

Repairing potholes and building bike trails shouldn’t be an “either or” proposition, and moving Halifax County forward while preserving what it already has was one point of discussion at a two-day planning session attended by the board of supervisors and other community leaders Tuesday and Wednesday at Southern Virginia Technology Park.

Supervisors, Halifax County Chamber of Commerce President Mitzi McCormick, Halifax County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Mark Lineburg, SVHEC Executive Director Dr. Betty Adams, Halifax County IDA Executive Director Matt Leonard, HCSA Executive Director Mark Estes and Tom Raab and Carl Espy, town managers for the towns of South Boston and Halifax, respectively, discussed both attributes and challenges facing Halifax County and possible solutions moving forward as part of forming a vision for economic development and growth.

To read the full article click here. If it has been removed, please email Alexia Eanes for a copy of the entire article. 

Thursday, August 10, 2017

City to review its 2017 goals


By Bryan Richardson

The Manhattan City Commission will have a midyear review Tuesday of its goals and priorities.

The work session starts at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall.

Some of the ongoing goals include developing an economic strategic plan, consolidating zoning and subdivision regulations, and creating a street maintenance plan.

The Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce is leading the efforts on the economic plan after hiring Market Street Services, an Atlanta-based consulting firm, for the study.


To read the full article click here. If it has been removed, please email Alexia Eanes for a copy of the entire article.

Wednesday, August 9, 2017

Greater Manhattan Project rolls out assessment findings

By Megan Moser

Manhattan area leaders have released the findings of a community assessment, part of an effort to create a unified vision and strategy to attain a “thriving, sustainable and equitable future” for the region.

Among the conclusions: the region’s economy relies too much on public-sector employment and lags in retail; the perception of public K-12 education doesn’t match performance compared to that of peer communities; and the community needs to improve its base of skilled workers to take advantage of opportunities at the National Bio- and Agro-Defense Facility.

To read the full article click here. If it has been removed, please email Alexia Eanes for a copy of the entire article.

Tuesday, August 8, 2017

Pat on the back for Greater Manhattan Project

Every year at the regional chambers of commerce retreat — the annual gathering in Overland Park that involves business leaders from Riley, Geary and Pottawatomie counties — a popular theme is working together to move forward.

People talk about regionalism and promoting our area to the rest of the country and how we need to build on our strengths.

It tends to be an interesting weekend full of brainstorming and discourse, but ultimately, it’s just talk.

This week, area leaders who’ve banded together to form the Greater Manhattan Project unveiled an extensive community assessment. It’s the first concrete step in a bigger plan for the three-county region...

To read the full article click here. If it has been removed, please email Alexia Eanes for a copy of the entire article