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Alleghany Highlands Econominc Trends and Local Government Reorganization Study
Overview
The Alleghany Highlands (Alleghany County, the City of Covington, and the Towns of Clifton Forge and Iron Gate) has experienced the loss of hundreds of manufacturing jobs and population in recent years with very few prospects on the horizon for new industry or employment. A large contributor to community and economic development efforts, the Alleghany Foundation, set out to research and inform the public of the challenges being faced by the community.
Approach # 1
Community Planning Partners researched and developed a report on the toughest trends that must be turned around and the greatest challenges that must be tackled in order to make the Alleghany Highlands a more desirable place to start and/or relocate a business. In addition to a written report, the findings were presented at a major community meeting and to numerous community and social groups throughout the community. The findings also received significant exposure through the local press.
Approach # 2
Because a citizen's petition drive was underway asking for the consolidation of local government, the Firm assembled a second report regarding the options for restructuring local government in the Alleghany Highlands including any potential savings that could be redirected to economic development efforts. As before, the findings were presented at a major community meeting and to numerous community and social groups throughout the community with additional public exposure through the press.
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