from VCCA Journal, Volume 6, Number 1, Winter 1991, 39-41
© Copyright 1991 VCCA Journal
As part of its effort to initiate economic development opportunities for its service region of three and a half counties in the economically depressed southwest portion of the Commonwealth, Southwest Virginia Community College (SwVCC) developed a program with the Virginia Army National Guard titled Virginians for Virginia. This initiative eventually had a five to seven million dollar impact on the region.
Virginians for Virginia was an idea developed by SwVCC's Dean of Administrative and Financial Services, Dr. Richard C. Hudson and the Army National Guard; it was supported by the institution's President and administrators. We felt that during the Guard's annual training, its engineering expertise could be used to make a difference in the economic development of the region. Operation Virginians for Virginia had its beginning with a local engineer unit of the guard, Company D of Richlands. Company D was already working on a project on the SwVCC campus during its once-a-month weekend training when the idea for project expansion was suggested.
The theme Virginians for Virginia was penned by Chief Warrant Officer III Raymond Bowles. The college was asked to produce a video that would encourage the Virginia Army National Guard Command to hold annual training in our region. The finished tape, titled Virginians for Virginia was viewed by Command and permission to begin the operation was granted. Under the operation, known by the Army as "Operation Stutzman," a battalion of over 700 troops trained in engineering bivouacked in two of the college's counties (Russell and Tazewell) and on the SwVCC campus for the Guard's two-week annual training, June 1 through June 15, 1991.
The 276th Engineer Battalion (Combat) under the command of Lieutenant Colonel David K. Stutzman moved 200,000 cubic yards of earth using 13,000 work-hours a day during the two-week stay. The Guard was dispersed on projects throughout an 800 mile square area between the Bluefield Industrial Park in Tazewell County to the Cumberland Plateau Regional Industrial Park in Russell County.
The economic impact of the Guard's stay in the region is estimated to be between five and seven million dollars. The 276th purchased as many supplies and services as was possible from local vendors, ranging from food to dry cleaning. Funds were not available for any of the projects in which the Guard engaged; therefore, project completion would have been impossible without the assistance of the 276th.
Benefit to SwVCC
The positive results of having the 276th perform annual training maneuvers in the area were substantial. The Guard developed an athletic complex. The SwVCC complex includes a football field, full-size track, baseball field and parking lot areaall at no cost to the college except for the price of materials used in the building process, much of which was donated. The 276th also built seven pavilions at the college, one of which is restricted for firing range purposes. The Southwest Law Enforcement Academy, located on the college's campus, needed its firing range extended, and the Guard completed this project. A children's activity area was developed which included a "Big Toy" much like the ones outside many fast-foot restaurantswith a pavilion close-by for picnics. In addition, the Guard constructed a storage/work area for the institution. All of the projects were completed or nearly completed before the Guard finished its annual training.
Benefit to the Economic Development of Russell County
Southwest Virginia Community College was not the only one to benefit from the Guard's expertise. The 276th worked on several projects in Russell County: the Cumberland Plateau Regional Industrial Park, the Russell County Courthouse parking lot, and the County landfill.
Benefit to the Economic Development of Tazewell County
Tazewell County residents were also able to benefit by the 276th's work on the Bluefield Industrial Park, County landfill, and the Tazewell County Fairgrounds. An important project to the people of Tazewell County was the Cavitts Creek Recreation Park, which is in a beautiful location complete with a lovely lake. Prior to the Guard's arrival, the only way to get access to the area was across a cow path. The 276th did massive road work to make the area more accessible; as a result, Tazewell County will be more attractive to tourists and prospective businesses and industries. County Administrator Vern Bechtel expects that grant funding will help make possible the completion of the Cavitts Creek project.
Benefit to the Virginia Army National Guard
The training the 276th received in Southwest Virginia was equivalent to operating on terrain such as can be found in Germany or Honduras. By operating in mountainous, wooded topography, the Guard was able to receive training that they would not have otherwise received on the military posts where annual training usually takes place. In one of the local newspapers a member of the 276th was quoted as saying, "We've been toting boxes around for ten years, and now we finally got to see what was in them."
Three local units from Richlands, Vansant and Tazewell are part of the Battalion. Other units include West Point and Powhatan. In addition to the Battalion's five units, two additional companies, the 1031st Engineer Company from Gate City and a slice of the 3647th Maintenance Company from Richmond supported the Battalion.
Media Coverage and Community Response
During the course of the two-week annual training 22 articles appeared in local newspapers; the Associated Press picked up the story, and it appeared in newspapers across the Commonwealth. At the closing ceremony on June 13, ten media representatives, including three of the four local network television stations, attended and subsequently published or aired stories. Notices were carried on local radio stations. Six stories on the four local network television stations about Operation Virginians for Virginia were aired during June 1 through June 15.
The positive response from the community was immense and was reflected in several editorials written concerning the Guard's stay. In the Bluefield Daily Telegraph, the Editor wrote in an editorial titled "Different Need: VA Guard Does More than Protect the Peace" (June 19, 1991):
the Virginia National Guard came to Tazewell and Russell counties for its annual training, and in two weeks made important changes in the counties...thanks to the organizers who arranged for the Guard's stay, most notably the movers and shakers of Southwest Virginia Community College, who once again have proven their institution a prime initiator of community action. Thanks most of all to the 276th Engineer Battalion (Combat) for a job well done.
The Clinch Valley News (June 19, 1991) carried the following:
The area benefitted greatly from the presence of 700 National Guardsmen...not only did they work on many worthwhile projects, they also contributed to the area's economy...Our hats are off to all the individuals, and Southwest Virginia Community College for coordinating this project. It's a great idea, and, again, we hope it will continue.
Charles R. King is President of Southwest Virginia Community College and is very active in the economic development efforts of the SwVCC region.
Pat Bussard is Coordinator of College Communications at SwVCC.