Here’s a roundup of news briefs from around Southwest and Southside. Send yours for possible inclusion to news@cardinalnews.org.
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Hampden-Sydney finishes renovation of historic dorm
Hampden-Sydney College has finished the four-year renovation of the second-oldest building on its campus.
The Venable Hall dormitory was built between 1824 and 1831 by Jeffersonian-trained masons and enslaved labor. In a news release, the college said that “Venable, though less prominent, sits squarely among Federalist-style greats like Montpelier, Mount Vernon, and Monticello.”
The restoration and design process was handled by MCWB Architects of Williamsburg, which specializes in historic renovation projects, and the construction was performed by English Construction from Lynchburg.
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VCEDA awards grant for trails center in Haysi
The Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority has awarded a $200,000 grant to the Dickenson County Industrial Development Authority to be used to develop a trails center in the Town of Haysi.
The grant will finance building construction, renovation and rehabilitation, the purchase of furniture, fixtures and equipment and other improvements related to the development of Haysi’s Russell Fork Trail Center on property owned by the Town of Haysi, according to a release from VCEDA.
“VCEDA first became aware of this project in 2016 as the Town of Haysi began to develop plans for it and received an initial VCEDA grant of $150,000,” said VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel Jonathan Belcher. “The funding for the project recently approved will help to take care of a deficit in funding for the project which exists as project costs have climbed in the interim period. The center will serve as the town’s tourism marketing hub and has several additional uses projected as well. According to the application, there will be three part-time employees, one of which is new and two who are retained as a result of the project.”
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Rasoul hosts “You Write the Bill” workshop
Del. Sam Rasoul, D-Roanoke, will host his annual “You Write the Bill” workshop on Tuesday, October 29th. The workshop will be held at the Raleigh Court Branch Library at 5:30 pm.
Participants will continue to learn the legislative process in Virginia from start to finish. This two-part workshop will teach participants how to write legislation, create lobbying plans, and how bills are introduced and passed in the General Assembly.
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Mountain Empire Community College to host scholarship fundraiser
The Mountain Empire Community College Foundation will host the 2024 Black and White Gala at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, December 7, at the Mountain Empire Community College Goodloe Center.
Proceeds from the event will go towards the Wise County Endowed Scholarship. This year’s event will feature a dinner reception, locally sourced wine, beer and refreshments, a silent auction, dancing, and entertainment.
Approximately 821 Wise County residents are enrolled at Mountain Empire. In 2024, MECC has experienced an enrollment growth in the number of Wise County students, both high school graduates and returning adult students, in career and academic transfer programs. Scholarships are needed to help students achieve educational and career goals while lessening the financial burden on families, the school said in a release.
Tickets for the event are $75 each and can be purchased by mail or by contacting MECC Foundation Coordinator of Philanthropy Megan Gibson at 276.523.9078 or by email at mgibson@mecc.edu.
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University of Lynchburg expands cannabis certificate program
The University of Lynchburg has expanded its cannabis certificate program by adding four new programs. The programs were developed in partnership with a cannabis education company, Green Flower.
University of Lynchburg announced the launch of its Cannabis Medicine and Healthcare program in March 2024.
The four new programs offered through the University of Lynchburg’s Professional Development Institute (PDI) are:
– Cannabis Compliance & Risk Management
– The Business of Cannabis
– Cannabis Product Development & Design
– Cannabis Agriculture & Horticulture
For more information on the programs, visit https://cannabised.lynchburg.edu/