Downtown Narrows | Grant Award & Recommendation
The Town of Narrows is excited to receive a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) – Competitive Grant Award for Business District Revitalization in the amount of $699,346. This grant is the result of many months of planning and community input. A volunteer team of local citizens worked with the NRV Regional Commission to develop this application using a previously awarded CDBG Planning Grant. The planning focused on highlighting and enhancing the outdoor recreation opportunities in and around the Town. The proposed projects will create public spaces and amenities in the business district and encourage visitors to stop and explore the town, its businesses, and surrounding attractions. The project provides matching funds for repair and renovation of facades of commercial structures and implements improvement projects to enhance the streetscape and public spaces and amenities – including the addition of a Creekside Trail and public space along Wolf Creek. The Town of Narrows looks forward to continuing the process of investing and improving our downtown area.
Governor Terry McAuliffe also announced his recommendation that the Town of Narrows receive $392,588 from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) to complete a related revitalization project to locate an outfitter business on Wolf Creek. The ARC will finalize approval of this project award later this year. Funds from this grant are to be used in conjunction with the awarded CDBG grant to make many of the downtown improvements, to obtain property along the proposed Creekside Trail and to create an area for water-oriented recreational activities in the downtown area.
The award of these grants is an exciting opportunity for the Town of Narrows and its citizens to make significant improvements that support the revitalization of the downtown district, develop opportunities for new and existing businesses, and create a downtown that is functioning and vital for years to come.
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Giles County, Virginia is located in Southwest Virginia approximately 40 minutes south of Roanoke and just west of Blacksburg and Virginia Tech. With easy access to the New River, world class dining and lodging properties, and historical attractions for the entire family, Giles offers adventure in Virginia’s Mountain Playground™. Come find your playground at our Visitors Center located at 203 N Main Street, Pearisburg, VA 24134 or find us online at gilescounty.org or by calling 540-921-2079. For interviews or onsite visits, please contact Cora Gnegy, Tourism Marketing Director. We can arrange and assist with any media needs. For more information about planning your visit to Giles County or about activities and events, please visit www.gilescounty.org or contact us at tourism@gilescounty.org.
