Published: May 17, 2009 08:46 pm      

Slow economy doesn’t stall technology park progress

BLUEFIELD, Va. — Despite the national economic downturn, Tazewell County officials say they are still on target to advertise the first phase of the planned Bluestone Regional Business and Technology Park for construction this summer.

“We are hoping to bid it out late spring or early summer,” County Attorney Eric Young said. “Phase one would be the intersection with (Route) 460, the entrance to the park and water, sewer and roads to the business parcels. I believe broadband is already on the 460 corridor.”

Young said the national recession hasn’t slowed the project.

“Actually, I think the IDA (Industrial Development Authority) is optimistic that we will get better bids now than we would have a year ago,” Young said. “There is still interest in the park. We actually have one industry the IDA is looking at right now that is interested in taking baby steps.”

The Bluestone, which is being developed near Bluefield, Va., is a 680-acre mixed-use development that will include sites for new businesses and industry, a workforce training center, offices, a hotel and conference center, retail stores, residential units, walking trails and even a possible nine-hole golf course.

Young said the IDA has advertised and received proposals for interim financing for the construction of the park.

The county is still working to clear a number of environmental hurdles that have delayed the start of construction on the project by almost more than a year. Young said it his understanding that most of the environmental issues have been or are being resolved.

Target industries for the mixed use development include technology-based, advanced manufacturing and energy businesses.

A 2006 study by Chmura Economics & Analytics found the Bluestone project could generate $45 million in annual sales and output for the county and employ almost 900 people in both the public and private sectors.

– Contact Charles Owens at cowens@bdtonline.com