ORIGIN

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In September of 2010, a full day meeting: Building Local Economies in SWVA, was held at UVA Wise.  Coordinated  and  facilitated by  Frank  Dukes

of UVA's Institute for Engagement and Negotiation, the meeting brought together approximately 60 stakeholders seeking to build resilience and boost economic development in their communities within the coalfields region of Virginia.

 

By assessing the  opportunities for, and  barriers to  collaboration  expressed

by stakeholders  -  comprised  of local  and  regional organizations,  citizens

and government officials - participants agreed to a series of creative solutions. 

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The group collectively arrived at several priorities including:

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Downtown community planning with an outdoor recreation and tourism focus

 

Enhancing community-based assets

 

Establishing a space for local systems planning

 

Increasing regional collaboration and cross-sector visioning

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Several additional  meetings  followed, leading to what  eventually  was called the Clinch River Valley Initiative, or CRVI. Stakeholders identified five primary goals for the effort, resulting in five community led action groups to further advance each, with decisions made by consensus. A voluntary group of citizens and officials formed the CRVI Steering Committee to oversee the development of legislative outreach, funding strategies, public relations, marketing and communication amongst stakeholders within the Clinch River Valley region as a whole. Action groups were formed to develop plans, timelines, and funding strategies to help advance priorities - meeting regularly to further refine and coordinate next steps and actions, which resulted in the following accomplishments over 12 years:

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Secured legislative support and funds for the development of Clinch River State Park, which opened to the public in 2022. 

 

Developed 15 river access points with boat launches, parking and informational signage for visitors, along with a 'Paddle the Clinch'  map. 

 

Established the Clinch River Ecological Campus (CREC) at Oxbow Center in partnership with UVA Wise.

 

Produced the Teach the Clinch  curriculum guide for educators. 

 

Offered the Clinch River Youth Summit and Environmental Educators Symposium annually at the Oxbow Center.

 

Initiated Hometowns of the Clinch designation.

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