A Brief History
In November 2005, a diverse group of Powhatan County citizens met to form Powhatan Tomorrow. The group was officially introduced to the community at a Board of Supervisors public address session in March 2006.
In May 2006, we held our first public forum to discuss the group and to provide an overview of the Comprehensive Plan Review Process. Members of our executive committee who had been appointed to serve on citizens working groups (Infrastructure, Route 60 Overlay, Land Use and Preservation, and Economic Development) and/or had attended Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission meetings regarding the review spoke to urge citizens to serve on the committees. Many of those in attendance joined the working groups. Several members of the Powhatan Tomorrow Executive Committee were appointed to serve on the Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee, charged with assisting the Phase I consultant's review.
Powhatan Tomorrow has been active in supporting the Powhatan State Park and Earth Day observations in our locality. Additionally, we have hosted/co-sponsored a number of well attended, public forums/events wherein we brought state, regional and local experts from both the private and public sectors to our county. These have included the following:
* In April 2007, we sponsored a Smarter Growth Forum with speakers from the Coalition for Smarter Growth, the Partnership for Smarter Growth, and the Coalition for Hanover's Future.
* In October 2007, we held a Board of Supervisors' Forum to address land use issues and to provide our residents with an opportunity to hear the candidates' vision for the future. All 11 candidates were present.
* In March 2008, we co-sponsored "The Benefits of Conservation Easements in the Preservation of Open Space and Rural Lands" with the Capital Region Land Conservancy. Speakers included representatives from the Department of Conservation and Recreation; Department of Historic Resources; Department of Forestry; Department of Game and Inland Fisheries; Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services; and the Virginia Outdoors Foundation. Additionally, the forum included Powhatan County residents who have placed property in conservation easements; the Goochland County Director of Community Development; and a representative from the Capital Region Land Conservancy.
* In September 2008, we co-sponsored the Agri-Entrepreneurship Forum and Farm Tour with the Farm Bureau and the Office of Economic Development. In addition to the Secretary of Agriculture & Forestry, a representative of VSU Extension Office, a representative of the Center for Rural Culture and five local agri-entrepreneurs were present to discuss all aspects of small agri-business operations. Six local farms participated in the tour.
* In October 2008, we worked with the Powhatan County Transportation Study Group and hosted the "Transportation Challenges and the Land Use Connection" Forum. Speakers included the Secretary of Transportation and representatives from the Southern Environmental Law Center, the Virginia Association of Counties, VDOT's Statewide Bicycle & Pedestrian Program, and the editor of Bacon's Rebellion.
* In September 2009, we co-sponsored a second Powhatan County Agri-Entrepreneurship Tour with the local Farm Bureau, Chamber of Commerce, Office of Economic Development and Extension Office.
* In November 2009 we sponsored "Enjoying and Protecting Our Natural Heritage". Featured speakers included the Secretary of Natural Resources as well as representatives from the Department of Conservation and Recreation, the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, the James River Association, and the Virginia Outdoors Foundation. A resource table provided educational materials from these groups as well as several other organizations including: Capital Region Land Conservancy, Audubon Society, League of Conservation Voters, Partnership for Smarter Growth, Center for Rural Culture and Virginia Cooperative Extension.
As a result of our public input session in March 2009, we remained active in the following community projects:
* Continuing to encourage public participation in the Comprehensive Plan Review and future Subdivision and Zoning Ordinance revisions.
* Partnering with local government and community organizations to bring blue (river) and green (multi-use) trails to our county.
* Partnering in the Earth Day Coalition and recruiting for Friends of the Powhatan State Park on the James River.
* Continued to co-sponsor educational programs designed to increase agri- entrepreneurialism such as the Grower's Workshop at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College coming January 30 and 31, 2010.
* Laying the groundwork to bring a Master Naturalist Program to Powhatan and Goochland.
In May 2006, we held our first public forum to discuss the group and to provide an overview of the Comprehensive Plan Review Process. Members of our executive committee who had been appointed to serve on citizens working groups (Infrastructure, Route 60 Overlay, Land Use and Preservation, and Economic Development) and/or had attended Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission meetings regarding the review spoke to urge citizens to serve on the committees. Many of those in attendance joined the working groups. Several members of the Powhatan Tomorrow Executive Committee were appointed to serve on the Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee, charged with assisting the Phase I consultant's review.
Powhatan Tomorrow has been active in supporting the Powhatan State Park and Earth Day observations in our locality. Additionally, we have hosted/co-sponsored a number of well attended, public forums/events wherein we brought state, regional and local experts from both the private and public sectors to our county. These have included the following:
* In April 2007, we sponsored a Smarter Growth Forum with speakers from the Coalition for Smarter Growth, the Partnership for Smarter Growth, and the Coalition for Hanover's Future.
* In October 2007, we held a Board of Supervisors' Forum to address land use issues and to provide our residents with an opportunity to hear the candidates' vision for the future. All 11 candidates were present.
* In March 2008, we co-sponsored "The Benefits of Conservation Easements in the Preservation of Open Space and Rural Lands" with the Capital Region Land Conservancy. Speakers included representatives from the Department of Conservation and Recreation; Department of Historic Resources; Department of Forestry; Department of Game and Inland Fisheries; Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services; and the Virginia Outdoors Foundation. Additionally, the forum included Powhatan County residents who have placed property in conservation easements; the Goochland County Director of Community Development; and a representative from the Capital Region Land Conservancy.
* In September 2008, we co-sponsored the Agri-Entrepreneurship Forum and Farm Tour with the Farm Bureau and the Office of Economic Development. In addition to the Secretary of Agriculture & Forestry, a representative of VSU Extension Office, a representative of the Center for Rural Culture and five local agri-entrepreneurs were present to discuss all aspects of small agri-business operations. Six local farms participated in the tour.
* In October 2008, we worked with the Powhatan County Transportation Study Group and hosted the "Transportation Challenges and the Land Use Connection" Forum. Speakers included the Secretary of Transportation and representatives from the Southern Environmental Law Center, the Virginia Association of Counties, VDOT's Statewide Bicycle & Pedestrian Program, and the editor of Bacon's Rebellion.
* In September 2009, we co-sponsored a second Powhatan County Agri-Entrepreneurship Tour with the local Farm Bureau, Chamber of Commerce, Office of Economic Development and Extension Office.
* In November 2009 we sponsored "Enjoying and Protecting Our Natural Heritage". Featured speakers included the Secretary of Natural Resources as well as representatives from the Department of Conservation and Recreation, the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, the James River Association, and the Virginia Outdoors Foundation. A resource table provided educational materials from these groups as well as several other organizations including: Capital Region Land Conservancy, Audubon Society, League of Conservation Voters, Partnership for Smarter Growth, Center for Rural Culture and Virginia Cooperative Extension.
As a result of our public input session in March 2009, we remained active in the following community projects:
* Continuing to encourage public participation in the Comprehensive Plan Review and future Subdivision and Zoning Ordinance revisions.
* Partnering with local government and community organizations to bring blue (river) and green (multi-use) trails to our county.
* Partnering in the Earth Day Coalition and recruiting for Friends of the Powhatan State Park on the James River.
* Continued to co-sponsor educational programs designed to increase agri- entrepreneurialism such as the Grower's Workshop at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College coming January 30 and 31, 2010.
* Laying the groundwork to bring a Master Naturalist Program to Powhatan and Goochland.