The Shadow
Low Moor, Va. (VR) – The Alleghany County Board of Supervisors spent much of its recent meeting clarifying past resolutions, hearing public concerns on redistricting and gun legislation, and reviewing an expansive tourism and economic development report that officials said is driving millions of dollars into the local economy.
Supervisors opened with a brief discussion of affirmation of a 2019 Second Amendment–related resolution, as board members sought clarity on what “two-way sanctuary designations” under that agreement were understood to mean. One member noted that the board has no enforcement authority over state law and cannot direct local law enforcement on which laws to enforce, underscoring the largely symbolic nature of the prior action.
During public comments, speakers strongly backed the Alleghany Highlands Chamber of Commerce and Tourism and urged the county to stay the course on its marketing partnership.
Jeff Irvin, mayor of Clifton Forge, praised the chamber’s staff and programs, calling it “just plain stupid to even think about change.” He argued the county’s tourism marketing should continue to be led by people who live in Alleghany County and understand its communities.
Chris Doyle, who serves as executive director of Boys Home of Virginia and president of the Alleghany Highlands Chamber board, said tourism and business development are “deeply connected” and credited the chamber team with bringing new visitors, spending, and opportunities to the region. He said the group’s strength lies in its local roots and personal investment in the area’s success.
Another speaker sharply criticized the board for considering a resolution opposing a proposed Virginia constitutional amendment on redistricting and for taking positions on Second Amendment legislation without broader citizen input. The resident questioned whether the county had held any district or public meetings before “automatically” opposing the redistricting proposal, arguing that allowing voters to decide would help “level the playing field” against partisan gerrymandering seen in other states.
The speaker also pressed the board to clarify what exactly would be addressed in any new letter on Second Amendment–related issues, listing a series of specific proposals under discussion in Virginia, including assault weapons restrictions in public places, mandatory safe storage requirements, campus carry limits, regulation of unserialized firearms, an excise-style tax on guns and ammunition, and a proposed waiting period for purchases. The resident requested a copy of any such letter if it is ultimately sent.
A representative from the Virginia Department of Transportation briefed the board on recent and ongoing maintenance work, including brush removal, treatment of snow drifts from a recent storm, significant pothole repairs on primary and secondary routes, drainage pipe work, mailbox replacements damaged by heavy snow, and planned tree removals along several highways, weather permitting.
The meeting’s most extensive presentation came from Josh Taylor, executive director of the Alleghany Highlands Chamber of Commerce and Tourism, who delivered the chamber’s 2025 annual report.
Taylor told supervisors that tourism marketing is reaching record levels. In 2025, chamber tourism social media reached more than five million people, up sharply from 2024, and the tourism website drew over 175,000 views after setting a prior record the year before. The organization hosted roughly 75 events in a single year, more than one event per week, and recorded fifty-one new chamber members, far above its typical annual growth.
Major outdoor events, including a cycling Gran Fondo, the Jackson River Scenic Trail Marathon, and an open-water swim at Lake Moomaw, generated a direct economic impact of about $348,000 in 2025, Taylor said, with the vast majority of participants coming from outside the region. The marathon, he noted, is a Boston Marathon qualifier and helps fill local hotels each June.
Taylor highlighted the completion of a third phase of tourism-oriented signage and wayfinding that aligns with the region’s branding, aiding visitors as they move “from website to on-site.” He also cited work on the statewide VA250 commemoration, including bringing a mobile museum to downtown Covington and planning a series of events through July 4 tied to the C&O Railway Heritage Festival.
In an effort to attract electric vehicle drivers, the chamber helped secure grants and partnerships to install public EV chargers in downtown Covington and Clifton Forge at no direct local cost. Taylor said the stations are deliberately placed near shopping and dining so that visitors can explore the area while they charge.
The chamber has also partnered with VDOT on planned improvements at Humpback Bridge Wayside Park, a heavily visited gateway site facing erosion, aging structures, and accessibility issues. Planned upgrades include structural repairs, new ADA-accessible features, and replacement of damaged signage and amenities.
Taylor pointed to growing collaboration with local arts, outdoor recreation, lodging, and experience providers through regular stakeholder meetings. He said those sessions allow the chamber to track “wins and losses” for partners and adjust support accordingly.
On the marketing front, Taylor reported sustained growth across print, digital, and broadcast channels, including placements in national and regional outlets such as Southern Living and Blue Ridge Outdoors, along with a billboard in the Raleigh, N.C., market. The tourism social media audience has climbed into the tens of thousands, and the chamber is aiming to reach 50,000 followers, more than the region’s population, by year’s end.
After Taylor’s report, board members clarified that the county’s tourism funding process, originally established in 2010, requires the services to be bid out via request for proposals every two years. Officials stressed that the current step is a standard RFP cycle, not an attempt to pull funding from the chamber.
Katie Connor of Virginia Tourism Corporation then outlined a regional tourism action plan developed with the chamber and roughly 60 local stakeholders. Connor said the three- to five-year roadmap aligns closely with Alleghany County’s 2019 comprehensive plan and focuses on lodging growth, outdoor recreation, cultural offerings, downtown revitalization, marketing reach, community engagement, and sustainable funding.
Citing 2024 figures, Connor said visitors spent about $43.8 million in the Alleghany Highlands and generated roughly $3.2 million in tax revenue, with tourism supporting about 8% of total regional employment. She emphasized that “tourism is economic development,” benefiting small businesses, downtowns, and county finances.
Supervisors also moved forward with a life and safety project at the Alleghany Regional Jail, awarding a contract to repair deteriorating exterior steps and address loose bricks and trip hazards. County staff said the work has been budgeted for the current fiscal year and described it as one of the first major projects in a broader capital improvement and safety program for county buildings. Officials noted that the jail repairs were included in both the county and city budgets as part of the shared regional facility’s costs.
Throughout the meeting, board members and staff referenced broader policy goals and objectives discussed at a prior planning session, including near-term capital projects, economic development efforts, and ongoing governmental operations priorities.
