August 6, 2009
Contact: Lauren Cunningham Hollie S. Cammarasana/DHCD
Phone: (804) 225-4262 (804) 371-7006
Cell Phone: (804) 393-9406 (804) 382-2075
Internet: www.governor.virginia.gov www.dhcd.virginia.gov
GOVERNOR KAINE HIGHLIGHTS HEARTWOOD GROUNDBREAKING
~ $16 million facility will serve as the artisan gateway to Southwest Virginia’s cultural heritage ~
Governor Kaine highlighted today the groundbreaking of Heartwood, a $16 million, 28,000 square foot facility that will serve as the gateway to Southwest Virginia and as a one of a kind tourism destination for travelers exploring the rich cultural, musical and artisan culture distinctive of the region.
“Heartwood will be the cultural hub of Southwest Virginia, promoting the artistic heritage of the area, while also highlighting The Crooked Road and the numerous other nature and artisan trails throughout the region,” said Governor Kaine. “It will be the symbol of the new economy based on heritage tourism that is emerging in Southwest Virginia.”
The facility is projected to draw 270,000 visitors and generate more than $10 million in revenue for the region each year. According to the Virginia Tourism Corporation, five of the 15 localities with the greatest increase in tourism expenditures from 2005 to 2006 were in Southwest Virginia along The Crooked Road. The region’s new “creative economy” is replacing the manufacturing economy in Southwest Virginia, capitalizing on synergies between music, crafts, agriculture, the arts, and downtown revitalization.
“The groundbreaking today is representative of the energy and hard work that has been focused on revitalizing Southwest Virginia’s economy by focusing on our culture, heritage, music, crafts and natural assets,” said Senator William Wampler Jr. “The Southwest Virginia Cultural Heritage Commission has worked in partnership with many organizations and agencies to move this project forward, and as a result of many collaborations that will continue, we are seeing a very real revitalization taking place in this region.”
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony were The Honorable William C. Wampler, state senator and Chair of the Southwest Virginia Cultural Heritage Commission; The Honorable Patrick O. Gottschalk, Secretary of Commerce and Trade; Bill Shelton, Director of the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development; Alisa Bailey, CEO of the Virginia Tourism Corporation and Glenn Dubois, Chancellor of the Virginia Community College System, among others.
Heartwood will be the focal point and portal to all heritage tourism sites in the region, connecting visitors to the Artisan Trails of Southwest Virginia, The Crooked Road, Wilderness Road, outdoor recreation opportunities and other cultural and heritage attractions throughout Southwest Virginia. Through retail sales and demonstrations, Heartwood will be representative of crafts created by individuals as well as venues that include craft as an institutional program. Promotion of visitation to these sites and artisan studios will be a priority of the Gateway’s visitor services.
Designed by Spectrum Design of Roanoke, the LEED Certified building will feature artisan galleries, a superior food court with locally sourced foods and beverages, storyboards and maps of the region to highlight opportunities for exploring, exhibits of featured artisans and a place for music performances as a stop on The Crooked Road. The building will also house the offices of the 'Round the Mountain: Southwest Virginia Artisan’s Network and The Crooked Road: Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail staff.
The following organizations/entities are partners for Heartwood:
• The Heartwood Management Team
• Southwest Virginia Cultural Heritage Commission
• Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission
• Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development
• Virginia Tourism Corporation
• Virginia Highlands Community College
• Virginia Community College System
• Town of Abingdon
• Washington County
• PEOPLE Inc.
• 'Round the Mountain
• The Crooked Road
• Mount Rogers Planning District Commission
• Appalachian Regional Commission
• Tennessee Valley Authority
• Department of Housing and Urban Development
• Spectrum Design, Inc.
• 1717 Design
• Martin Brothers Contractors, Roanoke, VA
• Virginia Department of General Services
Located off of Interstate 81 in Abingdon Virginia, Heartwood will be located on eight acres next to the campus of Virginia Highlands Community College. Heartwood is projected to take 15 months to construct and may open in early 2011.
For more information about Heartwood, visit: www.heartwoodvirginia.org.
