The administration building for Lynchburg schools. Photo by Dwayne Yancey.
The administration building for Lynchburg schools. Photo by Dwayne Yancey.

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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Lynchburg School Board seeks members for health advisory board

The Lynchburg City School Board is seeking 1-3 additional volunteers to serve on the 2024-25 School Health Advisory Board. The advisory board’s focus this school year is on bullying prevention. They also assist with the development of health policy in the school division and the evaluation of the status of school health, health education, the school environment, student mental health, and health services. 

Commitee members serve without compensation for one-year terms and report annually to the Board. The School Health Advisory Board is limited to 20 members and meets at 1 p.m. on the fourth Wednesday of every month. Meeting times are subject to change based on LCS holidays and other factors. 

Individuals interested in participating in this advisory board should do one of the following by Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024:

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Roanoke opens applications for business equipment incentive program

The City of Roanoke Department of Economic Development is now accepting applications for the Business Equipment Incentive Program. The Economic Development Authority has committed $400,000 over the next two years to support the creation of the Business Equipment Incentive Program, which will provide businesses with matching funds for equipment purchases.

Funds are limited and competitive, and therefore, will be committed on a first come, first served basis. 

Business Eligibility Information:

  • Operating in a commercially zoned location in the City of Roanoke for at least one year prior to November 1, 2024
  • Employing at least two full-time, W-2 employees
  • Current on all City of Roanoke business taxes
  • Currently licensed with the City of Roanoke

Award Information:

  • Purchase must occur on or after November 1, 2024
  • Grants are a 50/50 match, with a maximum award of $20,000 (i.e. – an oven purchased at $5,000 would receive grant funding in the amount of $2,500)
  • For year one of the program, award recipients have until September 30, 2025 to purchase equipment and submit receipts to the Department of Economic Development. 

Applications will close when funds are fully committed. Applicants have until September 30, 2025, to purchase equipment and submit receipts to the Department of Economic Development. As such, the Department of Economic Development recommends completing the application early to reserve your grant in committed funds.

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Solar developer to host open house and dinner in Pound

Sun Tribe Development will host an open house and dinner on Tuesday, November 12th, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. for people to learn about the Wildcats Solar project, a potential 10 MW solar facility planned for the former Indian Creek Surface Mine on Route 23 in Pound. 

What: Wildcats Solar open house 

Where: Delights by the Pound, 11223 Indian Creek Road, Pound VA 

When: Tuesday, Nov. 12, 6:00–7:30 PM 

To register, email seth.herman@suntribedevelopment.com.