[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 43 (Wednesday, March 8, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E548]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


  APPALACHIAN REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT ACT AMENDED TO INCLUDE MONTGOMERY, 
                  ROANOKE, AND ROCKBRIDGE COUNTIES, VA

                                 ______


                           HON. BOB GOODLATTE

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 8, 1995
  Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, my fellow Virginian, Congressman Rick 
Boucher, and I join once again to introduce legislation which would 
include the counties of Roanoke, Rockbridge, Montgomery, and the 
contiguous, independent cities of Roanoke, Salem, Radford, Lexington, 
and Buena Vista as part of the Appalachian Regional Commission. Our 
bill amends the Appalachian Regional Development Act of 1965 and is 
identical to legislation we introduced in the 103d Congress which 
passed the House but was not acted upon by the Senate in the end of the 
session rush.
  The Appalachian Regional Commission [ARC] was established in 1965 as 
a Federal-State partnership in economic and social development. ARC's 
goals have been to encourage the economic development and growth of the 
Appalachian region.
  ARC's mission has been to develop an infrastructure to help 
Appalachia become economically viable and competitive. It has done so 
by constructing some 2,100 miles of highways, implementing recycling 
programs, creating vocational education facilities, and building 
reliable waste disposal facilities, water, and sewer systems.
  Already a part of the Appalachian region both geographically and 
culturally, Roanoke, Rockbridge, and Montgomery Counties were asked to 
join ARC when it was created over 25 years ago. At that time the local 
officials decided not to become members.
  In hindsight, this decision was a mistake, not only for the three 
counties, but also for the area counties which are members. Many 
economic development projects require the participation of adjoining 
counties. Yet, Roanoke, Rockbridge, and Montgomery Counties are 
excluded from any project funded by the ARC.
  If the counties and the contiguous independent cities are designated 
as part of the ARC region there will be an enhanced opportunity to 
pursue joint programs. The potential for combined efforts in tourism, 
infrastructure projects, and strengthening competitiveness in 
attracting new businesses would be tremendous.
  The three counties which we propose to add are all vital to the 
ultimate success of the ARC. One of them, Montgomery County, along with 
the independent city of Radford, is in Mr. Boucher's district to the 
south of Roanoke County which is the southern most part of my district.
  Montgomery County, which has a total population of 74,000 people, is 
geographically part of the Appalachian region. Although it is blessed 
with an abundance of natural resources and creative people, it is 
plagued with cyclical unemployment. Despite being home to Virginia Tech 
and possession the fourth highest concentration of Ph.D.'s per capita 
in the Nation, 26 percent of all Montgomery County residents aged 25 
and over do not have a high school education. In some areas of the 
county, that figure exceeds 50 percent.
  Rockbridge County, and the independent cities of Lexington and Buena 
Vista, which occupy the central portion of my congressional district, 
are bordered on the west by the counties of Allegheny, Bath, and 
Highland, and the cities of Clifton Forge and Covington. Lexington is 
home to the Virginia Military Institute and Washington and Lee 
University. Despite benefiting from these universities and an 
impressive tourism industry, the area has been plagued by layoffs and 
plant closing. Rockbridge is surrounded by counties that are members of 
ARC and has been cooperating with its neighbors on a number of projects 
including a regional landfill. Rockbridge continues to explore the 
concept of regionalism and would like to become involved in the 
Appalachian Regional Recycling Consortium [ARRC]--an ARC project.
  However, Rockbridge has been denied involvement in ARRC because it is 
not a member of ARC. As a result, the recycling effort has suffered 
because the participating counties are unable to supply a large enough 
volume of recyclable material to make the program cost-effective. The 
addition of Rockbridge County to the ARC could help the recycling 
effort become a reality.
  Roanoke County and the independent cities of Roanoke and Salem could 
well be the lynch-pin between success of the ARC and its failure. With 
a population of approximately 200,000, the Roanoke, Valley has a 
history of cooperative agreements and joint ventures with surrounding 
counties. Some of the joint opportunities the Roanoke area governments 
have pursued include, the further development of tourism and industrial 
sites along the I-81 and I-581 corridors, educational/vocational 
training projects, and the enhancement of water and sewer 
infrastructure. If admitted to the ARC, Roanoke County could combine 
its resources and economic vitality with its less urban neighbors to 
help facilitate much-needed ARC regional projects.
  In addition, for the ARC to ultimately succeed in its mission to 
provide Appalachia with the infrastructure it needs to develop into an 
economically viable region, it only makes sense that these three 
important counties be added to its membership.
  Their addition will provide an essential sense of regionalism with 
the countries already within ARC, allowing them to work together to 
solve the many problems of the area. It's time to realize that city, 
county and even States lines are becoming less and less a barrier to 
cooperation.
  Finally, by designating the Roanoke Valley, Rockbridge County, and 
Montgomery County as a part of ARC, Congress will be strengthening the 
partnership between western and southwestern Virginia.
  I urge my colleagues to support this much needed legislation.
  

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