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Boucher Announces $45 Million Broadband Grant For Region - Wednesday, September 08, 2010
By Mac Mclean Bristol Herald Courier
September 8, 2010 WEBER CITY, Va. – More than $45 million in grants and loans from the federal stimulus package will provide high-speed Internet access to 7,500 homes, businesses and community institutions in four Southwest Virginia localities.
The funding also could open the Lenowisco Planning District – including the city of Norton, and Lee, Scott and Wise counties – to numerous economic development opportunities, including major telecommunications facilities and cottage industries based out of people’s homes. “It is critical that we make these investments,” U.S. Rep. Rick Boucher, D-9th, said Monday as he announced the funding package during a news conference at the Weber City Town Hall. “This infrastructure is the foundation of our future economic growth.” Boucher Secures Federal Funding for Broadband Deployment - Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Boucher Secures Federal Funding for Broadband Deployment WSLS News Staff FLOYD - Economic Stimulus money will be used to add new high speed internet service through parts of the New River Valley, Floyd County, Roanoke County, and Botetourt County.
9th District Congressman Rick Boucher (D) says the Commerce Department will give a grant of $9,237,760 to Citizens Telephone Cooperative so the company can expand its broadband network. The company’s headquarters is in Floyd. Construction Begins on Patrick Springs Water And Sewer Project - Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Wednesday, August 18, 2010 By Debbie Hall - Bulletin Staff Writer Martinville Bulletin A public water and sewer project in Patrick Springs will ensure residential, industrial and commercial development, according to 9th District U.S. Rep. Rick Boucher. “This is a perfect example of if you build it, they will come,” said Boucher, D-Abingdon, who spoke at a groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday for the $5.2 million project. Boucher worked to secure $5 million in federal funds to build the new system along the U.S. 58 corridor. Boucher Secures Federal Funding for VIrginia Tech Airport - Saturday, August 14, 2010
By WSLS News Staff
The Virginia Tech-Montgomery County Airport will be getting more than $5.6 million dollars from the federal government to help make runway improvements
BLACKSBURG - The Virginia Tech-Montgomery County Airport will be getting more than $5.6 million dollars from the federal government to help make runway improvements. 9th District Congressman Rick Boucher (D) said in a news release, "The federal funds will enable the airport to make much-needed improvements to its runway, which has deteriorated due to age and frequent use. The airport is critical to the economy of Montgomery County, and improvements to the runway are necessary to ensure the airport will continue to operate safely and efficiently." Boucher Attends Groundbreaking Ceremony for Local Veterans Outpatient Clinic - Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Ground was officially broken Monday morning in Wytheville for a veterans’ outpatient clinic. U.S. Rep. Rick Boucher joined local officials and officials from the Department of Veterans Affairs for the ceremony at Boucher Announces Progress On High Knob Projects - Tuesday, July 13, 2010
COEBURN — It's been nearly three years since two arsonists burned down the historic High Knob observation tower in the early morning darkness of Halloween. Since then, many local folks, local natives and visitors have looked ahead to the day when they can see design ideas for a planned new tower That day is Monday, July 19. At 6 p.m. in the Norton Community Center, the public will be able to examine at least three tower design concepts and offer suggestions and reactions. Ninth District U.S. Rep. Rick Boucher announced next week's informational meeting during a Friday news conference in Coeburn. Boucher Secures Funding For Scott County Water Project - Monday, July 12, 2010
HILTONS — Heavy rain didn’t dampen the spirits of local, state and federal officials who gathered in Hiltons Monday morning to help break ground on the Scott County Public Service Authority’s stimulus-funded Otterhouse water project. The $2.25 million project is being constructed entirely with grant funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act that were made available through the Virginia Department of Health’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund.
U.S. Rep. Rick Boucher, D-Va., who helped secure the funding, said the project is a “significant step forward in our ongoing efforts to expand the region’s water ... infrastructure” that will not only alleviate water quality problems for current residents, but also make future residential growth in the area possible.
Boucher Secures Federal Funds For The New River Valley Airport Runway Rehab - Friday, July 09, 2010
Congressman Rick Boucher (D-Virginia) joined area officials at the New River Valley Airport in Dublin Monday to celebrate the groundbreaking of the runway rehabilitation project. The process for this project started nearly ten years ago and the groundbreaking was made possible by countless hours of dedicated work by many and significant federal funding. The NRV Airport offers the longest and widest runway at a general aviation center in western Virginia. Currently, the runway extends 6,201 feet. Boucher Secures Funding For Fiber-Optics In Eight Southwest Virgina Counties - Wednesday, July 07, 2010
A major federal funding investment in eight Southwest Virginia counties should help to facilitate urgently needed economic development and growth in the region. The $22.7 million in federal stimulus announced last week by U.S. Rep. Rick Boucher, D-Va., will be used by Bristol Virginia Utilities to develop a 388-mile fiber optic backbone project through Tazewell, Bland, Buchanan, Dickenson, Russell, Wythe, Smyth and Washington counties. The $36 million project will create 295 direct jobs during the construction and deployment phase of the broadband network. The project will bring the broadband service within two miles of 18,000 homes and 500 businesses allowing for last mile connections in communities that are currently lacking broadband, Boucher said. Boucher Secures Federal Grant For Bristol Virginia Utilities - Friday, July 02, 2010
BRISTOL, Va. – A day after establishing itself as an independent authority, Bristol Virginia Utilities received word Friday it will receive a $22.7 million federal grant to expand its fiber-optic network. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration will provide the money through the federal stimulus program, U.S. Rep. Rick Boucher, D-9th, said in a telephone interview. “I think this really is a benchmark for us,” Boucher said. “Having broadband creates growth. Broadband is an essential ingredient of growth and communities without broadband, in this century, will be as disadvantaged as communities without electricity or telephone service in previous centuries.” Boucher Bill Would Protect Privacy Of Internet Users - Saturday, June 26, 2010
By Steve Igo Times News U.S. Rep. Rick Boucher, D-Va., plans to introduce a bill to protect the privacy of Internet users either late summer or early fall. About three weeks ago, Boucher and U.S. Rep. Cliff Stearns, R-Fla., announced a draft Internet privacy bill intended to solicit feedback from consumers, consumer organizations and businesses in order to tweak the pending legislation if justified. Boucher Secures Funding For Haysi Fire Department To Receive New Equipment - Monday, June 07, 2010
by TERESA MULLINS • Staff Writer Dickenson Star Haysi Volunteer Fire Department will soon be getting some new, much needed firefighting equipment. The town of Congressman Rick Boucher made the funding announcement last week. The federal grant of $48,000 through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development Agency will be used to purchase new fire fighting equipment for the Haysi Volunteer Fire Department. Congressman Boucher Hosts Town Meetings to Meet with Constituents - Sunday, June 06, 2010
By JEFF ZELENYNew York TimesBEL AIR, Md. — The reception that Representative Frank Kratovil, Jr., a Democrat, received here one night last week as he faced a small group of constituents was far more pleasant than his encounters during a Congressional recess last summer.
Then, he was hanged in effigy by protesters. This time, a round of applause was followed by a glass of chilled wine, a plate of crackers and crudités as he mingled with an invitation-only audience at the Point Breeze Credit Union, a vastly different scene than last year’s wide-open televised free-for-alls. Boucher Secures $42.1 Million for Dickenson County - Wednesday, June 02, 2010
by TERESA MULLINS • Staff Writer Dickenson Star
HAPPY VALLEY — Rep. Rick Boucher was in Clintwood last Wednesday to announce an unprecedented amount of federal funding for the Dickenson County School System.
The federal stimulus money is a low-interest $42.1 loan through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development Agency. The loan was made to the Dickenson County Industrial Development Agency on behalf of the Dickenson County School Division, which is prohibited by law from directly applying for the funding. Boucher said the $42.1 million loan was made to address the flood protection needs of county schools and will "truly transform Boucher Secures Funding For The STEP Facility In Stuart - Wednesday, June 02, 2010
Wednesday, June 2, 2010 By DEBBIE HALL - Bulletin Staff Writer A ribbon was cut Tuesday for a new human services facility in Stuart that officials said will allow more Support to Eliminate Poverty (STEP) Inc. began in Its new 7,200-square-foot building at Boucher Works with Vaughn-Bassett to Expand Galax Plant - Tuesday, June 01, 2010
WDBJ7.com GALAX, VA – In an announcement in front of over 500 workers from the company's day shift, Vaughan- Bassett President and CEO Wyatt Bassett announced today that it is spending $1 million on a four-phase expansion of its Galax factory. "The largest and most expensive phase of the expansion is a new 16,000 square-foot building that will be attached to our shipping facility," said Bassett. "This building will be used to store bed rails and mirrors and for the staging of shipments from our shipping facility," he added. Boucher Attends Dedication of MEOC PACE Center - Monday, May 24, 2010
By Ida Holyfield The Post BIG STONE GAP — From the main foyer to the side halls, through the food service area and back toward the rehab and occupational therapy departments, federal, state, regional and local dignitaries packed the $3.7 million Mountain Empire PACE Center Monday morning for formal dedication ceremonies. Many of those making their first visit were taken aback by what they saw, opting to sit rather than stand as they eyed a huge central corridor that ran the length of the building and bathed the space in sunlight from overhead skylights. Adjoining the corridor, they could see the nurses' station and examining rooms of the fully-staffed medical clinic. Many stood in the "meet and greet" area where staffers assist participants as they arrive by shuttle bus for their therapy, meals and recreation. While the building is new, the concept is not. PACE, which stands for Program for All-Inclusive Care of the Elderly, has been a success in cities across the nation for many years. But Monday, visitors got to see what the nation's first rural PACE Center looks like and to meet its participants and staff. Boucher Working to Bring Water Service to Tannersville Community - Tuesday, May 18, 2010
By Dan Kegley/Staff Smyth County is working with the Mount Rogers Planning District Commission and Congressman Rick Boucher to develop a water treatment plant in Rich Valley that will pipe river water across the county line to Tannersville.
County Engineer Scott Simpson said a couple of years ago, a well dug in the Tannersville area produced non-potable water with a high concentration of aluminum. The North Fork of the Holston River flowing across northern Smyth County is the next best available source. Boucher Promotes Aquaculture Industry - Tuesday, May 18, 2010
By Dan Kegley/Staff As millions of gallons of crude spilling from a broken well continued Monday morning to taint both the Gulf of Mexico’s waters and prospects for continued seafood harvests there, officials said healthy shrimp and fish swimming in clear-water tanks 800 miles inland in Saltville represent the future of the seafood industry.
At Virginia Tech’s Southwest Virginia Aquaculture Research and Extension Center, a small gathering of Saltville leaders and representatives of the university and Virginia Cobia Farms heard Congressman Rick Boucher, D-9th; announce the U.S. Department of Agriculture Small Business Innovation Research has awarded an $80,000 Small Business Innovation Research to VCF. Boucher Secures Funding for Craig Co. Fire Department - Tuesday, May 11, 2010
WSLS News Staff CRAIG CO. - 9th District congressman Rick Boucher (D-Abingdon) says a Craig County fire department will receive federal money to help fight forest fires.
According to a news release from Rep. Boucher’s office, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, through its Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, will give the Paint Bank Volunteer Fire Department $13,614 to buy new safety equipment. Boucher Secures Funding for City of Norton - Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Bristol Herald Courier
NORTON, Va. – The U.S. Department of Agriculture, through its Rural Development Agency, is providing $5.19 million to pay for improvements to the city’s wastewater system. Of that amount, $3.89 million is in the form of a grant, and $1.3 million is in a low-interest, federal loan.
The funding will help the city completely replace its main sewer interceptor line, the Guest River Sewer Interceptor, from the point of connection to the Coeburn-Norton-Wise Regional Wastewater System in Ramsey to Esserville. U.S. Rep. Rick Boucher, D-9th District, who was in Norton to announce the funding Monday, said the upgrades are necessary to operate the city’s wastewater system more efficiently and to free up treatment capacity at the plant. That will then enable new opportunities for business and commercial development in Norton and in Wise County. Pulaski Fire Department Receives Federal Assistance - Thursday, April 22, 2010
WSLS News Staff PULASKI - 9th district Congressman Rick Boucher (D-Abingdon) helps get a grant for a local fire department. The Pulaski Fire Department will receive a $33,440 grant from the Department of Homeland Security. The money will be used to buy four new exhaust systems, so fumes and chemicals don’t build up in the fire station.
Congressman Boucher Breaks Ground On Smyth County Project - Tuesday, April 13, 2010
By DAN KEGLEY Smyth County News Marevine Slemp has been on the minds of the Smyth County Board of Supervisors for years. Until just recently, her name appeared on their agenda in an item under Old Business every month since May 2004.
It read, “Marevine Slemp, request for water service on Fox Valley Road (5-11-04).” One day next fall, Slemp will turn on her faucet and county water will run out of it. Her six years of waiting will have ended.
U.S. Rep. Rick Boucher, D-9th plans to be in the valley that day that will be the bookend to Monday when he joined Slemp and a few neighbors to symbolically break ground on the Fox Valley Road, Pioneer Road, Greenwood Community Waterline Extension Project. Boucher Attends Grand Openning of New Second Harvest Food Bank in Abingdon - Friday, April 02, 2010
By Debra Mccown ABINGDON, Va. – In the old building, pallets of food were crammed into dark, tiny spaces, double-parked and hard to reach – but, nonetheless, millions of pounds of goods a year flowed through the facility to help those in need. This year, with a new, easier-to-access building twice the size, the Appalachian Branch of the Southwestern Virginia Second Harvest Food Bank is on track to double its distributions, said Edd Roberts, the food bank’s resource development officer. St. Paul Now Has Cell Phone Service - Friday, April 02, 2010
By Steve Igo
Kingsport Times News
ST. PAUL — Amy Boucher was quite a hit in St. Paul on Thursday, and she wasn’t even there.
Her husband, U.S. Rep. Rick Boucher, D-Va., had scarcely begun delivering his celebratory remarks concerning new cell phone service for St. Paul and the surrounding area when, of all things, the congressman’s cell phone jingled. Boucher apologized yet never skipped a beat. “Hey, it works,” he beamed, then informed the crowd of Wise County, Alltel and St. Paul officials the call was from his wife. With an appropriate number of “yes, dears” peppered into his side of the conversation, Boucher patiently explained he was making a speech at that very moment. Boucher Brings 100 Jobs to Southwest Virginia - Tuesday, March 30, 2010
By DAN KEGLEY/Staff Smyth County News March 30, 2010 Congressman Rick Boucher (D-9th) was in Abingdon Tuesday morning for what he told a small gathering at Virginia Highlands Airport was “an unusual economic development announcement.” In May, 100 people in Southwest Virginia will begin earning $10 an hour working at home. Satellite television service provider DirecTV will establish a virtual call center across the region employing 100 remote agents whose homes have access to broadband Internet connections. Construction Begins on Radford Public Safety Building - Wednesday, March 10, 2010
By Heather Bell Radford News Journal
RADFORD – Work is underway on the city’s new public safety building, which will house the city’s police department, emergency communications and city functions.
At Monday’s Radford City Council meeting, Radford City Manager David Ridpath told council members work has begun on the facility, which is expected to be completed in 2012. Friday, about 100 people attended a ground-breaking ceremony at the site, the former Old Colony Box Company building. The vacant manufacturing building will be renovated for the new municipal use. Friday’s ceremony began with remarks by Radford Mayor Tom Starnes.
“So many people have worked many, many years to make this happen,” said Starnes. “This facility will be a tremendous asset to the citizens in the City of Radford.”
Congressman Rick Boucher, who was instrumental in securing funding for the project, also addressed the crowd. Virginia Business Leaders Endorse Boucher - Friday, February 26, 2010
Industry Leaders Cite Boucher’s Record of Creating Jobs and Expanding Business Opportunities in the Ninth Congressional District (Washington, D.C.) – Today, a broad array of Virginia business leaders backed U.S. Representative Rick Boucher in his bid for reelection in Virginia’s Ninth Congressional District. The individuals represent leaders of diverse industry sectors including the Southwest Virginia’s coal industry, technology companies, and manufacturers, which employ thousands of Ninth District residents. “We all support Congressman Rick Boucher because of his strong record of creating jobs, expanding business opportunities and his independent approach toward policy decisions,” the group said. Virginia Business Leaders for Boucher is co-chaired by Jim McGlothlin, founder and long time chief executive of the United Companies, one of Southwest Virginia’s leading coal producers, and John Bassett, President and CEO of Vaughn-Bassett Furniture, headquartered in Galax. “Expanding our region’s economic opportunities is my highest priority in representing the Ninth Congressional District, and I am truly honored to have the support of these industry leaders, who have a long history of working for economic growth in the region,” Boucher said.
Click Read More for a full list of Business Leaders who have endorsed Congressman Boucher. Boucher Receives NRA Endorsement - Wednesday, February 24, 2010
NRA Gives Congressman Boucher A+ Rating Plus Endorsement Based on Pro-Gun Voting Record (Washington, D.C.) – Today, the National Rifle Association (NRA) Political Victory Fund announced its endorsement of U.S. Rep. Rick Boucher (D-VA) in his bid for reelection in Virginia’s Ninth Congressional District. The NRA has granted Boucher an A+ rating based on his longstanding support of Second Amendment rights in Congress. In its endorsement, the NRA cited Congressman Boucher’s role as the lead sponsor of legislation to curb bogus lawsuits against gun manufacturers, which has been signed into law, and of national Right-to-Carry reciprocity legislation, which would allow any person with a valid concealed firearm carrying license or permit issued by a state to carry a concealed firearm in any other state. In addition, the NRA cited Congressman Boucher’s consistent and continuing pro-gun voting record. A full copy of the NRA’s endorsement letter is attached. Boucher Supported Project in Saltville Moves Forward - Tuesday, February 23, 2010
By DAN KEGLEY/Staff Smyth County News Patients have been seen there already, but construction is expected to begin this week in the transformation of the second floor of the T.K. McKee Hospital building into the Saltville Dental Clinic. “We’re meeting today with the contractor for a preconstruction meeting,” Howard Chapman, executive director of Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems, said last week. “Hopefully by Monday we’ll see some activity.” Boucher Secures $11.8 Million for Wythe County Water Projects - Tuesday, February 23, 2010
By JEFFREY SIMMONS/Staff Wytheville Enterprise Late last week, federal officials announced that Wythe County and the town of Wytheville had received almost $12 million in stimulus dollars to install new water lines, and build and upgrade water tanks. “The allocation of $11.8 million in federal funds announced today represents a significant federal investment in the future of Wythe County,” U.S. Rep. Rick Boucher said in a prepared release. “…These two projects will enable more business and residential growth in Wythe County.” Boucher Secures $19.5 Million for Dickenson County Schools - Wednesday, February 03, 2010
Teresa Mullins, Staff Writer Dickenson Star
Radford Receives Federal Funding for Public Safety Building - Tuesday, January 26, 2010
WSLS News Staff Radford will receive a nearly $7 million federal loan to help build its new public safety building.
Congressman Rick Boucher (D-9th) says the U.S. Department of Agriculture, through its Rural Development Agency, will give the city a low interest federal loan of $6,975,516 for the project. The loan comes at the request of Rep. Boucher. Boucher Secures Federal Funding for Birthplace of Country Music Alliance - Saturday, January 16, 2010
By Mac McLean Reporter / Bristol Herald Courier Efforts to mark Bristol’s place in country music history took a huge step forward Friday when the Birthplace of Country Music Association received a $2.5 million loan from the federal government.
The loan, which comes from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development Agency, puts the alliance more than halfway toward raising the $10 million it needs to build a cultural heritage center in downtown Bristol. Rick Boucher’s To-Do-List: Balanced Federal Budget, Energy and Health Care - Friday, January 08, 2010
By Debra McCown Reporter / Bristol Herald Courier ABINGDON, Va. – With the nation on course for economic recovery, U.S. Rep. Rick Boucher said, now is the time to fast-track another essential priority: Balance the federal budget. Speaking to the Bristol Herald Courier on Thursday, Boucher said a balanced national budget, along with energy and health care, tops his list of priorities for 2010. Boucher Secures Stimulus Funds for Ninth District - Monday, May 04, 2009
By Mason Adams Roanoke Times
CLIFTON FORGE -- Alleghany County officials have struggled for more than a decade to find $46 million to replace the wastewater treatment plant that serves Clifton Forge, Iron Gate and points east.
Finding that kind of cash is no easy task for a rural county -- particularly one that in the past two decades has seen some of its biggest employers close up shop. On Monday, however, Alleghany County got the stimulus infusion it needed. U.S. Rep. Rick Boucher, D-Abingdon, swung through town to sign an oversized check for $10 million to the county to kick-start construction of a new, modernized wastewater treatment plant in Iron Gate. Another $7.6 million will be provided in the form of a low-interest federal loan, and Boucher said he's also advocating for money from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development Agency. |
