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Congressman Rick Boucher

Tourism, Economic Development Top Congressman's 2007 Highlights

Lisa Watson McCarty
Publisher

As representative to Virginia's Fighting Ninth Congressional District, Rick Boucher has spent the past 25 years working for the district and he has set a high agenda of items he hopes to achieve in 2008. First elected in 1982, Boucher is in his 13th term in the U.S. House of Representatives. The long-time Congressman, a Democrat from Abingdon, is proud of his past record and wants to continue progress in the new year.

Boucher, who sat down for an interview last Wednesday, explained he was excited about Scott County's tourism prospects with the opening of the new Daniel Boone Interpretive Center in Duffield. Already $2.56 million in federal funds is earmarked for the project with the state providing a 20 percent match, he explained.

In 2007, Boucher obtained $400,000 in funds from the Appalachian Regional Commission to assist with the construction costs, which he estimates will begin in the spring of 2008. He noted that Governor Tim Kaine has included in his biennial budget $100,000 per year for two years for operating funds of the new facility.

While the interpretive center is under construction, Boucher said he plans to seek private funds to pay for the anticipated $3 million needed for exhibits.

"We will seek some funding from the Virginia Tobacco Commission as well as private fund-raising," he remarked. "I plan to approach financially-successful companies and individuals ask them for donations."

He added that once the Daniel Boone Interpretive Center is complete, it will function as a major regional tourist attraction, chronicling the history of Southwest Virginia as a gateway for western expansion through the Appalachians.

"The Interpretive Center is the first step in a multi-phase project, which will eventually also include an agricultural exposition center," Boucher stated. He anticipates 90,000 tourists will visit the center each year and it is expected to generate about $850,000 in revenue annually for the regional economy.

Other tourism initiatives Boucher has been involved with include the construction of horse trails near High Knob and the reconstruction of an older trail. Earlier this year the tower at High Knob was destroyed by fire and the Congressman said a new observation tower would be built.

"High Knob is one of the most compelling natural assets in Southwest Virginia and additional amenities need to be developed to encourage the traveling public to visit High Knob," Boucher commented.

He plans three specific long-term projects that enable High Knob to become more of a tourist destination point. His first priority is to rebuild the observation tower at High Knob and the new building may include an environmental education component.

Boucher will organize a steering committee to research what needs to be built and strategies for funding sources for any planned projects. The group begins meeting in the next couple of weeks in Wise County and will present its final plan later.

In 2005, Boucher secured $600,000 to build horse trails in Scott and Wise Counties and construction is set to begin in the spring of 2008.

"My goal is to create recreational opportunities that will draw more visitors to one of Southwest Virginia's most scenic and unique assets, and provide economic benefits to the surrounding region," he said.

The U.S. Forest Service has identified locations for the 25-mile trail that can be used by not only horseback riders but also hikers, backpackers and other nature lovers.

They have also sited trailheads, parking areas and locations for restrooms facilities. Boucher anticipated the environmental review process would be complete by the end of the month and a groundbreaking ceremony planned for the spring. Construction is estimated to take around one year.

Boucher is also excited about some trail enhancements planned for the Chief Benge Scout Trail, also located in Scott and Wise Counties. Federal funding of $40,000 was recently appropriated for the project that is a collaboration between the Clinch Coalition and the U.S. Forest Service. The 24-mile trail travels through ecologically diverse portions of the Jefferson National Forest from High Knob to Little Stony Falls. The funding will be used to construct a bridge along the trail and for erosion remediation efforts.

Boucher noted that the Clinch Coalition would be supplying volunteer labor to assist in the rehabilitation of the trail.

"These improvements will encourage increased use of the trail by visitors and help make High Knob more accessible to more visitors," he added. "We need more facilities like camping, parking, trailheads and picnic areas to develop High Knob and for that we need a long-term strategy plan implemented over a series of years."

Boucher is also justifiably proud of the Scott County Hair Sheep Association, which has grown from a handful of farmers to more than 230 farmers producing 250,000 pounds of lamb per year. The sheep association, home-grown here in Scott County, forged a guaranteed purchase agreement with Food City Stores, who will buy 10,000 lambs per year from association's farmers.

The Scott County Hair Sheep Association recently surpassed the $1 million mark in sales to Food City.

"This is a unique and golden opportunity for farmers," Boucher said. "You seldom have a guaranteed market in place but that's what you have here. Food City absolutely assures that all lambs purchased through the Scott County Hair Sheep Association will be bought at a specific price."

He said the amount of time and labor involved in raising hair sheep makes their production more profitable than raising tobacco.

"Food City's commitment to purchase 10,000 lambs per year is just the beginning," he stated. "I am assured that others will want this product, too. I believe Southwest Virginia could become the national capital of hair sheep farmers and I hope in 2008 the number of farmers raising hair sheep will grow dramatically."

Boucher also helped local police departments receive federal funding for new vehicles and equipment. Both Gate City and Weber City's departments received money that allowed them to purchase new police cruisers.

He aided in getting $330,000 in federal funds to the Southwest Virginia Multi-Jurisdictional Narcotics Task Force, which serves Lee, Scott, Wise, and Dickenson Counties and the City of Norton.

The funding was used to provide the Task Force with resources, training, and equipment needed for the investigation of drug abusers and gangs, which will ultimately result in increased drug related arrests and prosecutions in the region.

 Editor's Note: Boucher's 2008 agenda will be explored in-depth in next week's print edition.

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