Compiled by Lewis Loflin
This website cautioned against the excessive spending on Grundy’s redevelopment years ago, a warning now echoed by the Washington Post. In its May 6, 2007 article, “Counting on a Big Box Bailout,” the Post reports:
“GRUNDY, Va.—Using dynamite and substantial government funding, leaders of this struggling southwest Virginia coal town launched an ambitious plan to escape poverty and the Levisa Fork River’s flood path. The envisioned ‘New Grundy’ promised an upscale Appalachian village with unique shops, apartments, and high-tech firms to revive the economy. Constrained by the old Grundy’s canyon-like geography (population 1,100), they enlisted the Army Corps of Engineers and Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), demolishing Main Street buildings and blasting a mountainside to create space.
The $196 million project—over $175,000 per resident—was set to unveil the new town in 2007. Yet, many business owners took their payouts and left, abandoning reopening plans. The original vision shifted, now symbolized by a lone sign on a barren lot: ‘Wal-Mart Supercenter Coming Soon!’ Construction was slated for spring 2007. While some communities reject Wal-Mart, Grundy pinned its renewal hopes on the retailer, lobbying for a store atop a two-story, 500-space parking garage above the new downtown across the river.”
From the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA):
March 19, 2009: The VCEDA board approved a $2 million grant to the Grundy Industrial Development Authority (IDA) for a 500-car parking facility on the town’s 13-acre redevelopment site, supporting a major retail center planned above it.
“VCEDA is thrilled to support Grundy’s redevelopment,” said Executive Director Jonathan Belcher. “This grant kickstarts the parking facility, a cornerstone of this unique project. With the new downtown road complete, the site is construction-ready.”
Belcher projected 1,000 direct and 1,000 indirect jobs, including from the retail center, within a $200 million flood-proofing initiative addressing Grundy’s chronic flooding. Earlier, VCEDA provided a $1 million grant and $1.5 million loan in 2000, partly funding the parking facility. In 2002, VCEDA funded the “Grundy Plaza” shell building for businesses during redevelopment, made permanent in 2003.
August 12, 2009: VCEDA finalized the $2 million grant to the Grundy IDA for the parking facility, base for the planned retail center.
“This grant advances a key element of Grundy’s redevelopment,” said VCEDA Chairman Jay Rife. Executive Director Jonathan Belcher added, “The completed downtown road readies the site, promising hundreds of jobs, including 200 at the Wal-Mart Supercenter atop this multi-level garage.”
The project ties into the $200 million flood-proofing effort. Previous VCEDA funding (2000’s $1 million grant and $1.5 million loan) also supports the garage, alongside the permanent Grundy Plaza established by 2003.
Acknowledgment: Thanks to Grok, an AI by xAI, for formatting assistance. The compilation and critique are my own, drawing from cited sources. —Lewis Loflin
