SRI International Presents Future Community Roadmap and Recommendations to Front Royal-Warren County, VA
ARLINGTON, VA -- March 12, 2007 -- SRI International, an independent nonprofit research and development organization, today announced it will present a Future Community Roadmap on March 15 to the residents and businesses of Front Royal-Warren County, located 70 miles west of Washington D.C. The Future Community Roadmap lays out a series of eight initiatives to assist the community to achieve its strategic vision. The Roadmap was developed at the request of the Front Royal-Warren County Economic Development Authority (EDA).
Those interested in attending the presentation can contact the Front Royal-Warren County EDA office at 540-635-2182 (www.wceda.com).
John M. "Matty" Mathieson, director of SRI's Center for Science, Technology and Economic Development and the project's principal investigator said, "Front Royal--Warren County is truly at a crossroads in defining and shaping the future of its economy and community. Facing both pressures and opportunities, the community is taking the critical step of defining its vision of the type of future community it desires to be. SRI assisted the community to clarify the initiatives necessary to allow it to reach its goals."
Paul Carroll, executive director of the EDA explains, "The EDA is a resource to assist the Front Royal and Warren County public authorities, private sector, community groups, and residents to realize the region’s opportunity to develop as the future community we desire rather than be buffeted by competing pressures."
The initiatives identified by SRI for the Roadmap include efforts to enhance support for K-12 and workforce education; enhance integrated, coordinated planning; target and attract new businesses to sites throughout the County, including its Royal Phoenix development; support the downtown area; serve the County's small businesses and entrepreneurs; provide needed information technology and communications infrastructure for businesses and residents; and develop effective promotional branding. These Roadmap elements were crafted on the basis of analyzing the community’s strategic strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and constraints; benchmarking the county with peer counties; developing scenarios of alternative futures; and reviewing best practices employed by jurisdictions across the U.S. facing similar pressures.
Paul Carroll further explains, "Our vision of Front Royal-Warren County is a prosperous community that preserves the natural beauty of the surrounding lands and views; a community with a hometown flavor in which residents know one another and are connected to one another and their community; a community with a vibrant Downtown, showcasing the region’s unique strengths; and a community to which our children will want to and can return to because of the wide variety of good jobs. The Roadmap lays out the critical action items that will allow the community to reach its vision."
James M. Eastham, Mayor of Front Royal, said, "It’s always exciting when you have such a strong consensus from both the public and private sectors. The Town is delighted to move forward on this project with the County, the EDA, SRI International, the Chamber of Commerce, and all the other stakeholder groups to make this vision a reality."
Richard H. Traczyk, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors of Warren County, declared, "The Roadmap has been a good process. It has set measurable milestones for the beginning, the middle, and the end of a clearly laid out path to achieving our vision for the County and its residents."
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About the Front Royal-Warren County Economic Development Authority
The Front Royal-Warren County Economic Development Authority is committed to attracting new businesses, assisting current businesses in reaching their potential, and enhancing the region’s quality of life. The Front Royal area offers a unique combination of quality of place, multi-faceted labor force, and an excellent business environment. Front Royal-Warren County is strategically located 70 miles from Washington D.C., 45 miles from Dulles International Airport and is at the crossroads of two major interstate highways. Front Royal-Warren County is the Western Gateway to the National Capital Region. More information is available at www.wceda.com.
About SRI International
Silicon Valley-based SRI International (www.sri.com) is one of the world’s leading independent research and technology development organizations. Founded as Stanford Research Institute in 1946, SRI has been meeting the strategic needs of clients for 60 years. The nonprofit research institute performs client-sponsored research and development for government agencies, commercial businesses, and private foundations. In addition to conducting contract R&D, SRI licenses its technologies, forms strategic partnerships, and creates spin-off companies.
SRI International’s Center for Science, Technology and Economic Development helps regions, organizations, and businesses become more successful in today's economy through more effective science and technology, economic, and educational programs and policies. The Center has helped communities across the U.S. achieve goals similar to those of Front Royal-Warren County For example, SRI developed an “Integrated Strategic Plan for an Opportunity Economy” for Austin, Texas, and assisted community leaders in Philadelphia with a strategic plan to integrate economic development, workforce solutions, and educational infrastructure. At the request of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines, SRI supported its efforts to assist rural regions of America to refine and retool themselves for the economic opportunities of the future. The Center has worked in more than 40 U.S. states, counties, and regions, and in more than 115 nations worldwide.
