Blue Ridge Heritage Inc. has won a top honor from the Virginia Chapter of the American Planning Association, according to a news release.
The 2016 Outstanding Plan by a Nonprofit Organization Award was presented for the Blue Ridge Heritage Education Center Master Plan.
Blue Ridge Heritage Inc. is a volunteer board that “promotes education and economic development through place-based programs related to the natural and cultural heritage of the Blue Ridge in Southwestern Virginia’s Bi-County area of Floyd and Patrick Counties,” the release stated.
”The Master Plan provides a roadmap and compass to phase-in, build and open the Blue Ridge Heritage Education Center for business by 2020,” the release said.
The awards recognize outstanding planning efforts, planning practices and individuals that are contributing to creating “a greater commonwealth,” according to the news release.
Award recipients were selected through a juried process.
“We are thrilled to honor such exceptional planning efforts and individuals within our commonwealth,” said George Homewood, president of the APA Virginia Chapter. “These awards individually and comulatively demonstrate the valuable planning that is being done to create communities of lasting value, for everyone.”
Blue Ridge Heritage Inc. is the only Southwest Virginia organization to receive an award. Others are located in Alexandria, Loudon County, and Arlington County.
