Eldon Edwards, chairman of Alleghany County Board of Commissioners, and Sparta Mayor John Miller welcome a sizeable crowd to the grand opening of the Blue Ridge Business Development Center.

BDC hosts grand opening

About 100 people gathered Aug. 24 to celebrate the opening of Alleghany's new technology/educational/business complex.

Many of those present, both on the entrance walkway which served as a speakers' platform and in the crowd, were local, regional and state dignitaries. Funding from a variety of sources, from local to federal, helped establish the new facility.

Last week's dedication ceremony was held outdoors in near-perfect weather conditions, using part of the parking lot.

The Blue Ridge Business Development Center (BDC) complex on Atwood Street includes the Wilkes Community College-Alleghany campus and Alleghany JobLink along with the BDC.

The first speakers were Alleghany County Board of Commissioners Chairman Eldon Edwards and Sparta Mayor John H. Miller, who also served as hosts for the grand opening and open house that afternoon.

"This facility offers our citizens greater opportunities for education, technology growth and jobs," said Edwards.

Support Appreciated

At times the ceremony seemed like the Academy Awards, as the speeches abounded with ‘thank you's. Edwards and fellow Commissioner Patrick Woodie commended U.S. Rep. Richard Burr for helping secure $1 million from the U.S. Economic Development Administration for the endeavor. "I wish Congressman Burr were here today," said Woodie.

Edwards also cited the N.C. Rural Internet Access Authority's (RIAA) $650,000 grant which helped establish the BDC, along with WCC's $84,000 in funding and the Town of Sparta putting up $125,000 to help Alleghany County purchase the building.

Chris Robinson, director of the Alleghany and Ashe campuses of WCC, and Cris Waugh of Alleghany JobLink were the next speakers. Each thanked a number of people for their support of the complex project, with Robinson singling out his predecessors.

Woodie said County Manager Don Adams served as construction manager for the project, allowing Woodie and his staff to develop the BDC organization.

Woodie is also executive director of New River Community Partners and interim director of the BDC.

Get the rest of this article in this week's issue of the Alleghany News! Back