By Taylor Boyd
Patrick County on Feb. 24 presented an award to Primland Resort in recognition of its community support and to celebrate its location in the county.
County Administrator Michael McGuinness said that when he assumed the role just over 100 days ago, he quickly recognized the value of the resort.
“They’re here in Patrick County, and what a blessing. A world-class, number one continental United States resort here in Patrick County,” he said.
Early in his tenure, McGuinness said he asked Economic Development and Tourism Director James Houchins whether anyone had ever thanked Primland for being in the county or told officials how proud the county is of them. Houchins responded, “No.”
“I said, ‘Well I want to order a plaque,’ and we did,” McGuinness said, adding that Primland does a great deal for the county. He said that support should not be taken for granted, just as the Patrick County Partners program recognizes residents’ contributions.
In Primland’s case, “don’t just look at what they do for the county financially, but look at how much they help us. It’s amazing, they’re involved in everything,” he said.
At the ceremony, McGuinness told company officials the county is proud to be home to the resort.
“We are here today to tell you congratulations on being recognized by Travel and Leisure as not only the best resort in Virginia, not the best resort in this region, but the best resort in the entire continental United States of America. We are truly proud of you, and we are thankful you are here. We value that you are in Patrick County, and we are so very proud of you,” he said.
McGuinness said that when he recently attended the Virginia Local Government Management Association conference, he arrived knowing he was entrusted with leadership.
“Though the new kid on the block and a smaller county in the Commonwealth, I arrived with my chin high and as proud as any attendee there,” he said.
During the conference, McGuinness said another county administrator addressed the room and repeatedly mentioned his county’s five-star resort.
Upon the presentation’s completion, McGuinness said he asked a question to which he already knew the answer.
“I just had to finish my question by saying I am Michael McGuinness from Patrick County, Virginia, home of the continental United States of America’s Number One-ranked resort, Primland. I actually got choked up, as that was pride. Pure Primland Patrick County Pride,” McGuinness said.
