The Advancement Foundation received an additional $110,000 through the Industrial Revitalization Fund (IRF) program to support the ongoing renovation of the Virginia Innovation Accelerator (VIA). The funding will be used install an eight-inch interior sewer line and an exterior sewer main. This funding will supplement a $985,000 IRF grant and a $700,000 ARC grant The Advancement Foundation received earlier this year to convert the former Mundet building in downtown Buena Vista into space for small-scale manufacturing, commercial kitchen use, business acceleration, and product development. CSPDC staff are providing grant administration assistance for the project.

The CSPDC is currently working on an update to the Town of Grottoes Comprehensive Plan. One focus for the update will be increasing civic engagement in the Grottoes community. This objective was originally identified in the 2023 Town of Grottoes Strategic Plan update, along with goals of establishing stronger connections and a sense of community in Grottoes. Research for the community facilities inventory portion of the Comprehensive Plan update confirmed that encouraging civic engagement would be a helpful priority for town officials.

Civic engagement refers to the actions taken by individuals and communities to address issues of public concern.[i] It can include partnering of different organizations such as government, businesses, non-profits, and faith-based organizations to create specific positive outcomes for the community. When citizens and organizations actively work together to contribute to the wellbeing of their towns, the results are greatly improved.

Civic engagement is seldom discussed, and some surveys show that it is declining, especially in the local sector.[ii] The decline could be because of a lack of knowledge about what civic engagement is, not enough emphasis in schools on the importance of community action, limited resources, or a belief that civic duty and changemaking are reserved for specific individuals in the community.

The Town of Grottoes historically has provided a variety of civic engagement opportunities for citizens. In addition to fundraising events for the volunteer fire department, police department, and rescue squad, Grottoes recently partnered with the local chapter of the Ruritan club to host an inaugural “Meet the Candidates” event so citizens could meet mayoral candidates and learn about their vision for the town. Other options for getting involved have included curating a fire department museum, joining efforts to keep the community pool open, and reading to elementary-age students.

The development process for the Comprehensive Plan update will include exploring ideas for increasing civic engagement. In addition to helping citizens understand that civic engagement is not always political but can include non-political activities that benefit the community, some of the following actions could be considered:

• Create a community garden to produce food the community can share or give to a food pantry.
• Landscape a local spot in need of beautification.
• Host a community dinner at Town Hall before a Planning Commission or Town Council meeting.
• Hold a stewardship day to clean up a street or a lot.
• Conduct round table discussions about local issues in an informal setting like a coffee shop.
• Create a public art installation.
• Provide volunteer opportunities at a local museum.
• Encourage random acts of kindness.
• Add a civic engagement “spotlight” to local government communications like newsletter, blog, or social media that highlights engaged citizens and volunteer opportunities.

Regardless of the type of program, the key to civic engagement success is for organizers to remain intentional and consistent. Even in the absence of planned events, civic engagement can be encouraged by expanding access to local news, inviting citizens to share local information with others, and simply asking them to plan to attend a meeting or vote in elections.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” ~ Margaret Mead

[i] “Civic Engagement,” American Psychological Association, 2009, https://www.apa.org/education-career/undergrad/civic-engagement#:~:text=One%20useful%20definition%20of%20civic,organizational%20involvement%20to%20electoral%20participation.

[ii] Philip M. Alberti, Carla S. Alvarado, and Heather Pierce, “Civic Engagement: A Vital Sign of Health and Democracy,” AAMC Center for Health Justice, published September 26, 2022. https://www.aamchealthjustice.org/news/polling/civic-engagement.