Local News

With at least the support from the public, local developer Charles Cecil said he is confident he will be able to get funding to open a training/manufacturing facility in the former Sawyers Furniture building in Galax — possibly within 30 to 60 days.

“It's going to happen,” said Cecil. “It's just taking longer than expected.”

INDEPENDENCE — As the debate continues over how much money Grayson schools should return to the county — savings from the closing of schools — the supervisors may take matters into their own hands.

During a budget workshop meeting April 14, Grayson Schools' Director of Instruction and Assessment Steven Cornett presented the supervisors with the information they had requested earlier in the month.

The Wired Road broadband project — which is being deployed throughout Galax, Grayson and Carroll counties — will be the first step to re-engineering and revitalizing the economy, announced Sen. William Wampler during a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Rex Theater on Monday for the official launch.

“It's no longer a theory, but is actually going to happen,” he said.

State and local leaders explained how the $26 million project will make a significant and positive difference to the regional communities and stabilize the local economy.

INDEPENDENCE — With Grayson County government's expenses rising drastically, leaders have to decide if a tax increase is the only answer to make ends meet next year.

Preliminary numbers show Grayson's budget short by $2.4 million. Early projections of revenue are $14.3 million, and expenses are expected to total $17.1 million.

The deficit, however, does not include the money expected to be returned by the school board for savings on school closures — which is good news, as the money could be anywhere from $377,000 to more than $600,000.