Kimberly Alexander Shenandoah Rally
Article from Ampersand, October 2003, Volume 15, Number X
For a town of fewer than 2,000 souls, Shenandoah, Va. is bustling with activity. New designs are
on the drawing board for two parks, downtown is getting a facelift, and high-speed, broadband Internet service appears imminent for this Page County town. "We have a progressive Town Council and very involved citizens," says Economic Development Director Kimberly Alexander.
Alexander is one of two economic development officials funded by a windfall of state and federal grants - an $800,000 Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development Block Grant to revitalize the historic downtown, a $54,000 TEA-21 VDOT grant for downtown landscaping, $175,000 in VDOT funds for a park access road, a HUD award to develop a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy, a $350,000 Brownfields grant from the EPA, a grant from Virginia's Center for Innovative Technology in support of the town's Broadband Initiative, and , most recently, a $25,000 Urban & Community Forestry Assistance Grant from the Virginia Department of Forestry. Shenandoah has also applied for nearly $700,000 in federal funds to develop a wireless broad-band system.
Shenandoah is one of the smallest communities to receive a Brownfields grant and will serve as a pilot project for other rural communities with possible hazardous waste sites. Shenandoah's Brownfields Project focuses on Big Gem, a 68-acre tract of land on U.S. Route 340 that was once the site of an iron-ore foundry and later a municipal dump. The EPA grant was used to conduct an environmental assessment and now, after a report of no significant contamination, for redevelopment planning and outreach efforts.
Anderson & Associates is preparing the site design for a recreational park on Big Gem that will include interpretive trails and signs describing the history of the town, the railroad, and the iron furnace that was last in use in the early 1900's. The first phase of redevelopment, which is currently underway, focuses on the pond area at Big Gem Park. "We are relying heavily on volunteers for the development," Alexander says. "Citizens have already done some clearing and landscaping."
Alexander was promoted from Assistant Economic Development Director in July. She is no stranger to government work, having served in the Governor's Office under two administrations as head writer and editor of gubernatorial correspondence for two years after her graduation from James Madison University in 2000. Alexander spends her spare time scuba diving and managing her rental properties in Rockingham and Page Counties.
Meanwhile, revitalization efforts and incentives are drawing new businesses into downtown. Enticements include grants up to $30,000 for improvements, low-interest loans up to $25,000, a 10-year tax abatement for renovated properties, informational seminars, free advertising on the new Town website, free website development, and, if the grant is approved, free broadband Internet service for a year. For interested entrepreneurs, several commercial buildings are for sale or rent. For a peek at their progress, visit www.TownofShenandoah.com (also designed by A&A).
Kimberly Alexander: Shenandoah Rally
Article written by Su Clauson-Wicker for AMPERSAND website:
http://www.andassoc.com/ampersand/2003_10/
 
