Background
Rarely do officials make decisions in a vacuum, without perspective and input from peers or pressure from interest groups. Developers are walking into a local policy environment filled with existing relationships, economic realities, and perhaps different political and cultural values.
Each community organization plays a different role—understanding the community’s civil society makeup allows a developer to use different influential vectors within the community to share important information, persuade residents, and build a diverse bench of supportive voices.
The communities in Pittsylvania and Henry Counties are particularly anxious about the fiscal sustainability and job prospects for their community. People are sensitive to tax and cost of living increases. The population is aging and declining. Therefore, creating opportunities in the community is a priority for many of the project’s decisionmakers and the civil society institutions in the list below. Axton Solar with Bantam should tap these existing networks to find local validation for their message and to demonstrate a commitment to being an invested member of the community.
Economic
West Piedmont Planning District Commission (WPPDC): A state-designated regional planning organization serving the counties of Franklin, Henry, Patrick, and Pittsylvania; the cities of Danville and Martinsville; and the Town of Rocky Mount. WPPDC helps facilitate regional dialog and coordination on economic development, transportation, and education and workforce issues.
Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy: WPPDC issues CEDS documents that provide economic analysis and outline general frameworks for economic development in the region. The latest report identifies lack of economic diversification and lack of broadband access as a limit with 70% and 72% of households in Henry and Pittsylvania Counties having access, respectively. The report also recognized the growing importance of solar power to the region’s energy mix.
Because of Axton Solar’s multi-jurisdictional plan, engagement with the WPPDC will be important for cultivating allies and coordination between Henry and Pittsylvania Counties. Commissioners Adams, Slaughter, Ingram, and Barksdale from Henry and Pittsylvania Counties sit on WPPDC’s Board of Commissioners.
Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce: The Danville Pittsylvania Chamber of Commerce is a 600-member organization committed to the economic growth of Pittsylvania County.
- Anne Moore-Sparks, President & CEO | anne@dpchamber.org
Danville & Pittsylvania County Economic Development Corporation: A joint economic development corporation between the City of Danville and Pittsylvania County. The organization offers data and resources to help businesses establish themselves in the region by touting benefits and guiding companies through the various siting and permitting requirements and incentives for economic investment in the region.
Henry County Chamber of Commerce: The Henry County Chamber of Commerce works to develop and promote Henry County’s businesses, as well as maintain and improve the community’s quality of life.
- Lisa Watkins, President | lisa@mhcchamber.com
- Sharon Shepherd, Deputy Director | sharon@mhcchamber.com
Martinsville Economic Development Corporation: The Martinsville-Henry County Economic Development Corporation is a public-private partnership between Henry County, the City of Martinsville, and the Harvest Foundation of the Piedmont. The EDC’s goal is to foster new job opportunities and expand the local tax base by supporting local industry and attracting new businesses to the region. It is governed by an eight-member Board of Directors.
- Matt Rowe, Pittsylvania County Director matthew.rowe@pittgov.org
United Way of Henry County and Martinsville, Inc.: United Way works to advance the common good of Henry County through education, income and health. Contact on their website.
The Harvest Foundation: The Harvest Foundation invests in economic development, education and healthcare in Henry County.
- Kate Keller, President kkeller@theharvestfoundation.org
Energy and Environmental
Protect Our Water, Heritage, Rights (POWHR): POWHR is an interstate coalition from Virginia and West Virginia dedicated to protecting water, land, and communities from harms caused by the expansion of fossil fuel infrastructure, including the Mountain Valley Pipeline
Agriculture
Virginia Farm Bureau: The VA Farm Bureau protects farming, agriculture and the Virginia way of life.
The Virginia Farm Bureau has an educational video to help farmers determine if leasing their lands for a solar project is right for them.
Contact at henrycounty@vafb.com or pittsylvaniabranchcounty@vafb.com
Henry County Farm Bureau
Colleges and Universities
Patrick & Henry Community College: This college is a small college located in Martinsville, VA. The college has an industry, trade, and manufacturing program that could be relevant to project-related jobs.
Averett University: Averett University is a private Baptist university in Danville, VA.
Danville Community College: Danville Community is a small college that offers workforce training programs and Career Readiness Certifications. Its Manufacturing Technician could potentially be relevant to solar industry job related messaging.
New College Institute: A state-funded educational entity that provides access to degree programs (bachelor, master, and doctorate) through partnerships with VA colleges and universities. The NCI offers workforce training for careers in renewable energy such as the Global Wind Organization’s Basic Safety Training and Technical Training courses.
K-12 Education
Local Hospitals
Safety Services
PittCo Agencies: Pittsylvania County is served by a network of 21 volunteer fire and rescue squads. The agencies have a board meeting the fourth Tuesday of each month.
Henry County Emergency Services: Henry County is served by eight volunteer fire departments, five volunteer EMS agencies, and one career fire and EMS organization.
Emergency Services Advisory Council (ESAC): The Henry County ESAC has a main leadership role in the county’s public safety initiatives. It develops and delivers the highest first responder and medical services.
Religion and Faith
New Day Church, Martinsville and Henry County
Our Hope Church, Danville
Faith Memorial Baptist Church, Danville
Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Chatham
Cornerstone Church of Christ, Chatham
Chatham Baptist Church, Chatham
Veterans
VFW Virginia - 4637 Martinsville
Virginia Department of Veterans Services: This organization serves Henry and Pittsylvania counties to enhance the quality of life for Virginia’s veterans, service members, and families.
info@DVS.virginia.gov | 804.786.0286
Charity
Pittsylvania County Community Action (PCCA): PCCA provides services to low income families and provides opportunities for individuals and families to overcome barriers, gain self-sufficiency, and improve quality of life. Contact at (434) 432-8250.
