Kelly Pate

This strategic plan, titled 'A New Era of Opportunity,' outlines the Appalachian Regional Commission's (ARC) roadmap to achieve socioeconomic parity for Appalachia with the nation. The plan focuses on five key strategic investment goals: building Appalachian businesses, strengthening Appalachia's workforce ecosystem, enhancing Appalachia's infrastructure, fostering regional culture and tourism, and developing community leaders and capacity. These goals are designed to drive economic growth, improve quality of life, and address persistent socioeconomic disparities through innovation, partnership, and investment.

The Talent Pathways Initiative (TPI) for GO Virginia Region 8 is a comprehensive workforce assessment aimed at building a modern, resilient, and highly skilled workforce. It focuses on addressing challenges and opportunities within the Manufacturing and Transportation & Logistics sectors. Key strategies include fostering employer-led partnerships, expanding work-based learning, defining clear career pathways, enhancing job development and counseling, investing in durable skills, broadening the talent pipeline, and reshaping perceptions of industrial careers. The overall vision is to ensure economic prosperity and quality career opportunities for residents in the Shenandoah Valley.

The 'Viewpoints' comprehensive plan serves as a functional roadmap for the City of Buena Vista's development and redevelopment over the next 20 years. It provides guidelines aimed at creating a safe, livable, and economically viable community capable of adapting to future changes. The plan addresses key elements such as population characteristics, historic resources, natural resources, housing, economy, infrastructure and utilities, transportation, community facilities, and land use.

The Community Action Plan for Buena Vista, Virginia, outlines a strategic roadmap to strengthen its recreation economy and revitalize its downtown. The plan is structured around four key goals: enlivening downtown by engaging businesses and property owners; improving infrastructure for outdoor recreation, tourism, and connectivity; marketing, branding, and promoting Buena Vista's natural, cultural, and recreational assets; and expanding outdoor recreation activities and education offerings. This collaborative plan aims to foster a thriving working landscape and vibrant downtown with ample job and recreational opportunities for residents and visitors.

This Master Plan outlines the framework for developing the Brushy Blue Greenway, a project aimed at connecting the Cities of Buena Vista, Lexington, and Rockbridge County with walking and biking trails. The plan focuses on interconnecting existing trails, upgrading them to multi-use greenways, and creating new connections along an approximately seventeen-mile corridor. Strategic priorities include establishing a comprehensive ownership structure, developing policies for centralized management and maintenance, securing legal access through voluntary easements, and implementing a public-private partnership model for funding. The plan also details design guidelines, environmental resource protection, and implementation priorities to enhance recreation, education, access, and community well-being while preserving natural and historic resources.