I hope he and your readers can appreciate the frustration the Dickenson BOS feels after another (from their perspective) rejection by VCEDA of an another economic development effort.

First, some history. Coal and gas companies, since the 70s, have had to obtain a severance tax license from a local governing body. A portion of the tax goes into a local road Fund, a portion goes to VCEDA, and the rest goes to the local governing body.

The policy underlying this approach is that as coal and gas are removed from the earth, the tax base is decreased. The tax is in essence to compensate the locality for this loss of tax base, i. e. future revenue.

Because there was concern that localities would use this revenue stream to fund current needs, rather than for the future, the Road Fund and VCEDA were developed.

The Road Fund is controlled by a board appointed by the locality, with a VDOT person.

VCEDA has funds from each member locality. Some of the funds are pooled, or “uncommitted”, and some are tied to the county of origin.VCEDA has representatives from each locality, coal companies, and governor appointees.

Of the 7 counties that contribute, the largest source is Buchanan, then Wise, and Dickenson.

I serve on the Industrial Development Authority for Dickenson, and have concerns myself about our relationship to VCEDA, and its structure. I don’t expect them to accept every proposal to access Dickenson county funds for projects.
But I do expect there to be no favoritism, and at least civility from VCEDA staff.

That is not always the case. I have detected hostility towards us, and have observed instances of favoritism.

It is true that after substantial pressure, VCEDA gave in and let Dickenson use some of its own money to save the hospital. But it was done very reluctantly, and further efforts on the part of the IDA to assist the hospital have been met with rudeness and hostility.

I fully support the regional approach to economic development, and hope that VCEDA will recognize that it needs to restructure and reconsider its treatment of its members.