Press Releases

Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) today announced that the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) has awarded $980,000 to Friends of Southwest Virginia through their Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization (POWER) Initiative.

“Through the ARC funds awarded today, Friends of Southwest Virginia will be able to make substantial investments in Southwest Virginia’s tourism and recreation economy through the development of marketing and branding campaigns,” said Griffith. “This workforce initiative aims to bring in new visitors from across the country, helping to boost economic development in the region.”

Friends of Southwest Virginia, through the Southwest Virginia Creative Economy and Tourism Workforce Initiative, will partner with VA Tourism Corporation, VA Main Street, Heart of Appalachia Tourism Authority, Spearhead Trails Southwest Regional Recreation Authority, Birthplace of Country Music Museum, Primland Resort, Mountain Lake Lodge, Big Stone Gap Visitor Center and Visit Wytheville to invest in 18 counties, four cities, and 51 towns in Southwest Virginia.

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