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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Roanoke County to host community meeting in Glenvar
Roanoke County will host a community meeting for the Glenvar Center Plan from 5–7 p.m. Wednesday at Fort Lewis Elementary School, 3115 West Main Street, Salem.
This open house-style community meeting, where attendees can come and go as
they please, is a follow-up to the first round of community meetings held in spring 2025.
At this community meeting, attendees will have the opportunity to review and provide input on draft recommendations for the Glenvar Center Plan.
A survey will be available at the community meeting and at www.RoanokeCountyVA.gov/Glenvar starting October 29. The survey will remain open through the month of November. Please contact Isaac Henry, Principal Planner, with questions by email at ihenry@roanokecountyva.gov or by phone at (540) 772-2140.
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Patrick County has grant money available for tourism
The Patrick County Office of Economic Development & Tourism is now taking applications for the Visit Patrick Sponsorship program. This program is a reimbursable funding opportunity tailored for stakeholders seeking to create projects, programs and events that will attract visitors to Patrick County.
The application will close on November 7, 2025. Only projects, programs, and events that commence between January 1 and June 30, 2026, will be eligible. Awards will be announced in December 2025.
Priority will be given to applicants that can demonstrate how their initiative will increase visitation and exposure of Patrick County through their promotional efforts. Only one sponsorship per year will be allocated to the same project. Sponsorships are awarded on a year-by-year basis and are not to be considered as an ongoing source of funding.
In FY25, over $80,000 was awarded to twelve applicants for twenty events. There is $20,000 available for this grant cycle, a grant cycle for the second half of 2026 will be available in March 2026.
As part of the program launch, staff will host two applicant workshops on Wednesday, October 29, at 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. to help prospective applicants understand eligibility, the application process and reimbursement procedures.
The application and additional details can be found on the Patrick County Tourism Advisory Council webpage.
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Community Foundation of the New River Valley now taking scholarship applications
The Community Foundation of the New River Valley’s online scholarship application is now open. In 2026, the foundation will give out more than $150,000 in scholarships to New River Valley students. The scholarship application is open to graduating high school seniors and currently enrolled college students pursuing an education at a 2- or 4-year college or university, trade, or technical school. Older adults returning to school are also welcome to apply.
Since issuing its first scholarship in 2002, the foundation has awarded $1.43 million to more than 1,100 students. Now, the foundation has nearly 60 different scholarship funds.
Interested applicants submit a single application and indicate the specific scholarships for which they would like to be considered. Most of the scholarship funds benefit students living in and/or going to school in the Virginia counties of Floyd, Giles, Montgomery and Pulaski as well as the city of Radford.
There are also some scholarships available for students elsewhere in southwest Virginia, including but not limited to those from Grayson and Tazewell counties, the city of Galax, and the town of Richlands. Eligibility requirements and evaluation criteria for each scholarship can be found at cfnrv.org/scholarships. Those with financial need are especially encouraged to apply.
Applicants are required to submit a personal essay, their academic transcript and two letters of recommendation. They must also complete and upload the Student Financial Statement Form. Some scholarship funds also require additional essays for students to be considered. If a student receives a scholarship, the awarded funds will be applied to the 2026-2027 school year.
All applications must be submitted through the online system by Friday, January 23, 2026 at 5 p.m. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted. Students interested in applying can learn more at cfnrv.org/scholarships. If you are interested in setting up a scholarship fund, please reach out to Jessica Wirgau at jessicawirgau@cfnrv.org or 540-381-8999.
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VCEDA awards grant to special events venue in Tazewell County
The Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority has awarded $10,000 through its Seed Capital Matching Grant program to Painted Mountain Riverbend Retreat, a special events and luxury camping venue in Tazewell County that’s expected to open next summer.
“Painted Mountain Riverbend Retreat, LLC will be focused on providing a unique and immersive experience to those looking for a nature-based vacation or venue for their special event,” said Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA executive director/general counsel in a statement. “The new business projects two full-time and four part-time employees within five years.”
The business is operated by Sarah and Jonathan Romeo. Located at the base of Paint Lick Mountain, the 44-acre site includes a forested cove with the Little River running through its center — with a cave, spring and waterfall on site.