Press Releases

Press Release
May 4, 2009
Beth Carico, Parks and Recreation Director

Carroll County has hired Elizabeth (Beth) Carico as Parks and Recreation Director. Carico’s first day with the County will be May 18, 2009. Carroll County has been searching for a Director of Parks and Recreation since the retirement of long time Director, Larry Collins in January. “The County currently has a very strong recreation program providing a variety of activities for Carroll County youth. The parks management experience Ms. Carico brings to the position will allow us to expand the program further and take advantage of the vast outdoor resources the County has to offer”, said Carroll County Administrator Gary Larrowe.

Ms. Carico, a graduate of Central Michigan University in the area of recreation management, brings 5 years of park ranger and management experience to the position. She has a variety of training and experience in parks management and outdoor recreation programs. She was previously the Assistant Park Manager of the New River Trail State Park in Galax, VA.

Her experience working with the public and with Virginia’s natural resources will complement and enhance the programs currently under way in the Recreation Department. It will also allow the County to expand the Recreation offerings to the community and attract visitors to the County.

Carico will work closely with the Parks and Recreation Commission and report directly to Ms. Nikki Shank, Assistant County Administrator.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 9, 2009
Carroll County Hires Assistant Administrator

Ms. Nikki Shank Director of Finance in Galax has accepted the position of Assistant County Administrator for Carroll County. Her last day with the City of Galax will be February 27.Carroll County has been searching for an Assistant since Ronald Newman, Assistant Administrator took on the role of Executive Director of the Carroll County Public Service Authority (PSA) in addition to his role as Assistant. “The job responsibilities for Ronald have expanded drastically. Ronald is spending 90%plus of his work time directed toward the efforts of the PSA to not only work with the daily functions of the organization but to expand the water and waste water system. Currently there are six new PSA projects on the drawing board and additional assistance was a necessity”, commented County Administrator, Gary Larrowe. 

Carroll County has one of the most efficient County operations in southwest VA with as few as 50% of the number of County employees when compared to many other jurisdictions for the same population. As an example, Smyth County has 94 County employees to the total of 54 in Carroll. Technology is also being used to stretch the abilities of employees in every direction.

Ms. Shank will be bringing skills to Carroll that will position Carroll to deal with the issues at hand as well as to provide for growth of the future. She has worked in finance for the past thirteen years in public and corporate positions and holds a CPA designation as well as Bachelors of Business Administration from Eastern Kentucky University. In addition to Director of Finance, she has held the roles of Assistant Finance Director and Staff Accountant. Ms.Shank has Human Resource experience and will be taking over various roles and responsibilities that will assist in further streamlining the Carroll operation while focusing on customer care, service and project management.

“Carroll County is exceptionally pleased that Ms. Shank will be joining the Carroll Team”, said Carroll County Board of Supervisors Chair David Hutchins. “Ms. Shank has always had at least two dreams, one was to be able to break out of the finance field to administration and the second was to work for Carroll County. We are assisting in making both of these dreams come true. While at the same time, Carroll County has been looking for a person like Nikki to move projects down the track. I see nothing except a win-win for the citizens of Carroll County, the other employees and Ms. Shank. This will pay dividends in all directions”, Hutchins said.

Ms. Shank will report directly to County Administrator Gary Larrowe.

Press Release
November 12, 2008
Comments from the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors
Subject
AmerLink, Harlingen Holdings, Pro-Form Construction

It does not pleasure the Carroll County Board of Supervisors to have taken the necessary steps today to resolve an issue of broken promises. In 2005 a corporate announcement was made in Carroll County with regard to the Log Home Manufacturing facility that was to locate in Carroll County. At that time, a promise of the creation of 200 jobs was made along with a capital investment of $3,000,000. In return, 32.4 acres of land was provided to the company along with cash incentatives totaling $600,000 from the Tobacco Commission and the Governor’s Opportunity Fund. A 99 year lease was also provided for a sales center on the property of the Southwest VA Farmers’ Market. An extended time frame from 36 months to 39 month performance period was granted to allow for the opportunity to become reality.

The company had promised to create the 200 jobs and to invest the $3,000,000 prior to August 18, 2008 which was the end of the performance period. To date, the President of the company appeared before this Board and stated that 1 job had been created. If the company did not produce then the $600,000 was to be paid back along with the reconveyance of the 32.4 acres of land. The completion of the transfers were to be completed within 60 days from the end of the performance period or October 26, 2008.

This has not happened. Therefore it is with the complete concensus of the Carroll County Board of Supervisors that the citizens of Carroll be protected from issues such as this. Today, Carroll County filed a Law Suit in the Circuit Court for the City of Richmond, VA for Breach of Contract against:
Harlingen Holdings, Inc.
AmerLink, LTD
Pro-Form Construction, Inc.
For the return of the 32.4 parcel, and the return of $600,000 plus interest since September 17,
2008 to now.

We will not be discussing in detail the elements of the suit for obvious reasons but please rest
assured that the Carroll County Board of Supervisors are very involved at correcting these type
issues.

Press Release - November 12, 2008 - Comments from the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors

• July 27 - August 2, 2008 (pdf 924 KB)
  * AmeriPumps, LLC To Bring 125 Jobs To Carroll
  * Cana Service Center Hosts Grand Opening
  * Virginia Bikers Association Holds Charitable Rally
  * Twin County Hospice Holds Camp
  * Mount Rogers Hosts Grand Opening of New Facility
  * Carroll Welcomes New Business Development Specialist
  * Entrepreneurial Business Development Program Creates Over 400 Jobs With $17 Million Capital Investment
  
• July 13-19, 2008 (pdf 676 KB)
• July 6-12, 2008 (pdf 776 KB)
  * Love’s Travel Stop To Bring Approximately 70-90 New Jobs To Carroll
  * Keeping You Informed In Carroll
  * Veterans Clinic Holds Ribbon Cutting
  * News Release Pertaining to Carroll’s Fund Balance
  * Carroll EMS Receives Grant Award
  
• June 22-28, 2008 (pdf 424 KB)
  * VCCS Chancellor Stops in Area
  * SImple Tech LLC Looks To Bring Technological Advances To Area
  * Historical Society Preserves the Past
  * Devil’s Den - A “Natural” Attraction
  
• June 15-21, 2008 (pdf 6.2 MB)
  * Blacksnake Meadery - A Unique Feature for Carroll
  * School Board Makes Recognitions While Listening to New Proposals
  * Effective July 1: County Facilities Will Be Smoke Free
  * PSA Holds “Special” Meeting
  * Planning Commission Sends Subdivision Ordinance to Supervisors
  
• June 8-14, 2008 (pdf 751.7 KB)
  * Wilmouth Receives Award
  * 2-1-1 To Be A Strong Service To Citizens
  * PSA Schedules “Special Meeting” While Giving Project Updates
  * Tilapia Make Their Way Into Carroll
  
• June 1-7, 2008 (pdf 1.8 MB)
  * Carroll Receives Public Safety Communications Grant
  * Young Eagles Soar In Carroll
  * Kids Appreciation Day Has Successful Turnout
  * Fiddlin’ on the Lot Brings Out the Past
  * Dickerson’s Farm Equipment To Serve Carroll Citizens
  * County Pool Opens For Summer
  
• May 25-31, 2008 (pdf 7.7MB)
  * BRCEDA Looks To Heal Economic Loss in The Twin Counties
  * PSA Agrees To Advertise for New Rates and Fees
  * Farmers’ Market Receives Bids For Improvements
  * Strolling Along Fancy Gap Lane
  * Winterberry Gallery Brings Artistic Value To Area
  
• May 18-24, 2008 (pdf 2.5 MB)
  * Wired Road To Be A Strong Asset
  * History Seminar Educates Many
  * PSA Looks For Alternatives
  * Howard’s Barber Shop Opens For Business