The Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission delivered a breath of fresh air to Halifax County on a hot Friday morning.
Delegate Ted Bennett and members of the Tobacco Commission presented grant checks awarding more than $3.6 million for expansion of the CEC and site construction for Riverstone Technology and Business Park.
"These checks demonstrate teamwork on behalf of the Commission to make a real commitment to revitalizing the tobacco communities of Southside and Southwest Virginia," Carthan F. Currin III, executive director of the Tobacco Commission said in awarding the grant money.
Bennett, who worked as a member of the Commission to help obtain the grants, asked the recipients to make sure they were "good stewards" of the money.
"We need to continue to put it into as solid pockets as we have here today for CEC and Riverstone.
"I'm very, very proud to see this money come home and come to fruition," said Halifax Delegate W.W. "Ted" Bennett.
"It's the result of the work of a lot of folks in your legislature and the General Assembly who fought so hard to make sure that our region was able to separate out and secure 50 percent of the Master Tobacco Settlement that was coming to Virginia.
"This is the fruit of their labor."
The Tobacco Commission, formed in 1999, is charged with indemnifying growers and quota holders and bringing economic development projects to tobacco dependent communities.
The Commission is comprised of 31 legislators and citizens representing tobacco communities in Southside and Southwest Virginia. They processed 43,505 transactions totaling $58 million paid to Virginia tobacco growers and quota holders in 2000, and provided $6 million for educational and job training programs at seven community colleges in Southside and Southwest Virginia.
Friday's award will be used to expand the CEC to 30,000 square feet to provide academic training space in South Boston in a former tobacco factory. The CEC is part of Longwood College is and serves Halifax, Pittsylvania, Mecklenburg, Charlotte, Patrick and Henry counties.
Renovation began September 2000 on the former Export Leaf Tobacco building in downtown South Boston. The CEC is scheduled to move to the new facility in August 2001.
The renovation will house six computer labs, eight basic classrooms, a library, biology/chemistry lab and administrative office space to accommodate all colleges and universities.
In his remarks, Bennett noted that education and economic standards were interrelated.
"I'm very proud to see the Board of Supervisors, this community and this region come together as we have in setting these priorities, both for education and pure economic development.
"We cannot raise one without raising the groundswell for the other. It is going to create an untold ripple effect for improvement of our county.
"This will help build what we really need - a superior climate for our people, a climate of opportunity and accessibility to education."
Currin also presented Halifax County a check for $1,937,500 on Friday for the creation of the Riverstone Technology & Business Park.
The Park is a 150-acre piece of land located on U.S. Highway 58/360 in South Boston. The vision for this park is to provide local residents with the same kind of choices and opportunities available to citizens living in suburban Richmond and other metropolitan areas.
High-end restaurants, hotels and a conference center are also envisioned for the Park.
Bill Confroy, executive director of the Halifax County Industrial Development Authority, saw the grants as a vital step toward diversifying the local economy and creating opportunities locally for younger residents.
We're really vunerable because we have such a high concentration of manufacturing, and manufacturing in the U.S. has been in decline, especially during this last mini-recession," said Confroy.
"For rural areas like ours, we've got to diversify that much more and try to reinstate into our community those who have left and attract younger folks.
"I encourage young people to participate in the educational system as much as possible, to learn new and different ideas."

Halifax Town Council unanimously approved - with Councilman Harold Younger absent - its fifth budget proposal Saturday morning, a $1,236,504 budget carrying water/sewer rate hikes of 65 percent and 35 percent respectively and no real estate tax hike.
The real estate rate remains at 22 cents per assessed $100.
The budget reflects an increase from $1,075,081 last year to $1,236,504 this year.
On Friday during a special session, council and a crowd of citizens heard a $1, 198,980 budget proposal by town staff that trimmed w/s rates to 57 percent and 28 percent, respectively, and one that depleted the town reserve fund.
"Friday afternoon, councilmen asked for budget three with changes," R.E. Reynolds, town finance director, told the crowd gathered Saturday morning at Town Hall.
With the return to higher water rates on Saturday, Reynolds said that he would like to explore a plan to help senior citizens since many do not use the minimum 4,000 gallons.
Reynolds suggested senior citizens might pay half of the minimum in-town rate of $18.50, but if they used over the minimum they would pay the same as everyone else.
He said that he wanted to check other localities to see how they qualified senior citizens for similar plans.
The town manager also reminded residents that with the Enterprise Fund, which includes water/sewer, that council could change fees at anytime during the year, unlike tax rates which cannot be changed once approved.
Comparing rates with Clarksville, Reynolds said that residents there paid basically the same water/sewer rate that Halifax residents paid prior to the current increase.
Town officials also reminded council and residents that $68,032 is in the new budget for repayment of sewer bonds.
For years, the town has consistently run in the red on water/sewer costs, with the general fund paying the difference.
"What we are trying to do here is balance it," said Reynolds.
The final budget also shifted funds from two proposed salary increases in the administrative department to insurance and miscellaneous designations in the fire department fund , and also to miscellaneous in the water department.
In the final budget proposal, the town administrator and the finance director would each receive a $2,000 salary increase, moving from $45,000 to $47,000 and $34,000 to $36,000, respectively.
Councilmen's annual fees also remained the same in the final budget proposal at $1,500 each, but planning commission members will be receiving fees for the first time at about half of council's fee.
The finance director said that the salary for the chief of police remained capped at $36,000 since the new chief assumed those responsibilities earlier this year.
Reynolds said that the average salary increase was 5.16 percent, but proposed salary funds go into a pool for distribution.
"Why can't all employees get the same?" asked Halifax resident Elizabeth Overton.
"We do not want to abandon the merit system completely," replied Councilman Buddy Guthrie.
The budget approval session lasted less than 10 minutes on Saturday, but the final action followed several lengthy public comment periods in preceding weeks.
The previous day, during council's special session, Police Chief Glenn Stanley made an emotional appeal for salary increases for his staff.
Stanley said that when he came to the department it was known as revolving door for police personnel.
He said that the town would pay low salaries for incoming officers, train them, which is expensive, then lose them to other departments for higher pay.
Stanley cited the rising cost of insurance and the cost of living in calling for "fair" benefits for the town employes.
He said that one officer has another full-time job to make it. "We deserve to survive. We're not asking to be rich, just to take care of families."
The police chief said that he feared some quality employees could be lost due to the salary question.
Town employees Ned Strange, Anthony Anderson and Officer David Martin were among employees speaking at the Friday meeting.
Strange noted that the town was constantly training new people and asked, "Why not keep the good people you have?"
Martin urged that council vote for "fair increases." He said those who could least afford increases were not complaining. Noting that the squeaky wheel often gets the grease, he urged council to do the right thing and give employees a raise.
"We can't keep underpaying people and expect them to say," said Councilman H.C. Phillips.
The councilman also noted that water and sewer had to pay its way.
"We have had one person who has already tendered a resignation and I can assure you more will come," Town Manager Robert Greene warned Friday.
Subdivision Hearing
In other business, council heard public comment on the planning commission's recommendation - with conditions - to approve rezoning for about 63 acres located off of Crawford Road but, after hearing citizens' comments adjourned with the issue set for council's regular July session.
A vote on the issue is expected at the July meeting.
Allen Stevens is seeking rezoning from R-1 to R-1A for the property to allow development of a single family home subdivision, with minimum lot size to be 20,000 square feet.
The property is located on the western side of Crawford Road adjacent to the Power of Faith Christian Church.
Stevens, who was hearing the conditions for the first time, said that he had no problem with them.
He and the town manager met following the meeting to view a recent survey.
The town manager told council and the citizens gathered for the public hearing that he needed to go over the engineering with Stevens in order to have a complete package to present for council's vote next week.
Some citizens complained that a vote should be taken by council on the subdivision at the Saturday meeting.
The Rev. W. Roach said that citizens in the area had been notified by certified letter of the Saturday meeting and that a vote was expected.
However, Councilman Jack Dunavant said that the planning commission had recommended a vote not be taken at the Saturday meeting and that he had told concerned citizens in that area who had called him of that decision.
"But we got a certified letter. You can't delay or hold up if they do not take the opportunity to come," Mrs. Roach countered.
Several other citizens spoke on behalf of the project, one suggested only one entrance and exit to keep the community safe.
Greene described the proposal as one planners hope will be a model community. He said that he had received the engineering for the project only a few days ago and that he would move forward on the project with Stevens today.

Supervisors are expected to receive a Halifax War Memorial design recommendation for impala black for the monument's centerpiece at tonight's Board meeting.
The recommendation from the Board's Building and Ground Committee will be delivered during the 7 p.m. session at Mary Bethune Complex in Halifax.
Board members will also hold three public hearings and discuss road and E-911issues.
Following years of controversy over the design and color of a war memorial monument honoring the county's fallen warriors, the Building and Grounds Committee will recommend impala black granite, "a slightly lighter shade of black but still a contrast," explained James Edmunds, the committee's chairman.
Edmunds said yesterday that the committee's decision "was based on the veterans' approval of the contrasting color."
The committee's earlier recommendation called for Mt. Airy white granite for the overall monument. Only the black centerpiece, which will carry the names of the fallen warriors, will be of black granite.
In earlier sessions, the committee recommended that the monument's roof not be included at this time "due to limited funding," added Edmunds.
Estimated costs for the memorial and the park are $150,000 and $85,000 respectively, according to Edmunds.
The committee chairman said the Board is considering phasing in the park, which he said will be done under the guidance of the Courthouse Grounds Committee.
With community involvement - such as an adopt a tree program and other initiatives, Edmunds said it was hoped the cost of the park could be reduced.
The proposed War Memorial Park is located at the corner of Main Street and Mountain Road in Halifax.
Edmunds said that following tonight's Board action, the supervisors' recommendation would go to the Halifax War Memorial Commission.
Dr. Jules Modlinski is also expected to address the performance contract between the Southside Community Service Board and the Virginia Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services.
Also on the Board's agenda tonight, a resolution seeking inclusion of Occoneechee Trail and Lakeshore Drive in the secondary state highway system, a letter from VDOT regarding a resolution for additions and abandonments, Route 770, and historic Clarkton Bridge.
VDOT had five applications this spring when it put Clarkton Bridge up for sale. Since then one applicant has dropped his request, according to Joe Barkley, VDOT resident engineer.
VDOT is operating with "a rolling deadline" on action for Clarkton Bridge, Barkley said. He said that he would continue to talk about the bridge with county officials.
Barkley is also expected to address the Monday, July 9, primary road hearing for the Lynchburg District.
Public Hearings
Three public hearings are scheduled tonight, beginning at 8 p.m.
The first concerns a plat vacation application by Elsie Lowery and Catherine Puryear for an unnamed, unopened street 35 ft. x 400 ft. in a subdivision, part of the Charles Brooks Farm, on the west side of Route 501 about one mile south of South Boston.
The second public hearing concerns a conditional use permit application by Unisite for a self-supporting telecommunications tower with a maximum height of 250 ft. on 10,000-square-foot parcel that is 1,400 feet off of the north side of Route 40, 400 ft. east of Route 638 (Bull Creek Road). The property is owned by George Wayne and Angela Tribble
The third public hearing also concerns a conditional use permit, also sought by Unisite, for a telecommunications tower with maximum height of 250 ft. on a 10,000-square-foot parcel about 775 feet off the west side of Route 501 and 300 feet south of Route 907.
The site is on the property of Aubrey B. and Mary Younger.

Members of the Current Issues Committee (CIC) of South Boston Town Council will consider tonight a request by Halifax Regional Hospital to rezone a 50-foot strip of property in order to construct a new parking lot.
The meeting will begin at 5:45 p.m. at council chambers on Yancey Street.
Hospital officials amended their original proposal to rezone approximately four acres of land along Beechmont Road from R-1 Residential to T-1 Transitional after protests from Beechmont Subdivision residents.
Many of those same residents attended the Planning Commission's June 20 public hearing on the issue, and spoke in favor of the amended proposal, if issues of neighborhood integrity and safety were addressed.
Town planners subsequently recommended approval of the rezoning, with a public hearing on the hospital's request being advertised for the July 9 council meeting.
The CIC will also consider a resolution granting the Town of South Boston the authority to participate in the Statewide Mutual Aid (SMA) program for Emergency Management.
With the adoption of the aid bill, localities can exchange services and resources in a response to a major emergency.
The SMA program resolves inconsistencies concerning the insurance and liability coverage of emergency workers when deployed from one locality to another and takes advantage of opportunities for federal/state reimbursement of deployment related costs.
By adopting the attached resolution, the town agrees to provided assistance when asked, if able to do so.
Members of the Town's Finance Committee will also receive the monthly financial statement tonight from Vandie Saunders, town finance officer.

The following offices will be closed Wednesday for the Fourth of July holiday.
All government offices of the towns of Halifax and South Boston, Virginia state offices and Halifax County offices will be closed Wednesday, as well as all banks and the ABC stores of Halifax and South Boston.
The Gazette Virginian will also be closed for Independence Day.
No recycling of litter will occur in the Town of Halifax during the week.
In the Town of South Boston, litter pickup on Wednesday will be rescheduled to Friday, and the landfill will be closed on Wednesday.

By MICHAEL A. PAIGE
Talk about a hard week.
That's how it was for South Boston American Legion Post 8 after three-consecutive games of building leads, and then having them go for naught.
Post 8 saw those leads evaporate in the late innings and fell 8-3 in a district game with Danville (Post 325) on Thursday, 11-6 on Friday to Madison Heights (Post 274) and then on Saturday, once again, a lead was erased in the latter innings as Post 8 fell 10-8 to Big Island (Post 217).
In Saturday's game, Post 217 scored a run in the first inning to go up 1-0.
Chris Raines was on the mound for Post 8 and pitched three innings before Pat Bowes came into the game to relieve Raines.
Post 8 had tied the game in the second inning when Justin King singled and scored on a RBI-single by Ryan Gieselman.
Four runs were added in the fourth inning, which gave Post 8 a 5-1 lead.
After leading 6-2 in the fifth inning, Big Island rallied in the sixth inning for seven runs to take the lead and the game.
The loss came on the back of another loss Friday against Madison Heights.
Post 8 built up a 6-2 lead in the sixth inning and Madison Heights closed the gape to within one run in the seventh inning before adding on six more runs in the seventh inning.
In Thursday's game, Post 8 dueled with Danville for three scoreless innings before Post 325 scored two runs in the fourth inning.
Justin King was on the mound and pitched the first three innings without giving up a hit before Danville was able to connect for two singles, which led to two runs.
Post 8 scored three runs in the fifth inning to take the lead, which held until the eighth inning.
Danville put on scoring drives in the eighth and ninth innings - three runs in each inning - to hand Post 8 its third straight loss of the week.
Post 8's record fell to 1-4 in the district and 2-10 overall.
A rematch with Madison Heights was scheduled yesterday with Post 8 hosting.