Powhatan Tomorrow Overview

Vision Statement

Powhatan Tomorrow is striving to ensure Powhatan is a county with a vibrant and diverse community, a healthy environment and a vigorous economy that provides an enhanced quality of life for all residents.


Mission Statement

Our purpose is to preserve, protect and retain our rural character while promoting low impact economic development by actively participating in a comprehensive process where citizens, business/civic leaders, developers and our governing body all cooperate to achieve mutually beneficial community goals.


A Brief History of Powhatan Tomorrow

In November 2005, a diverse group of Powhatan County citizens met to form Powhatan Tomorrow. The group was officially introduced to the community at a Board of Supervisors public address session in March 2006.

In May 2006, we held our first public forum to discuss the group and to provide an overview of the Comprehensive Plan Review Process. Members of our executive committee who had been appointed to serve on citizens working groups (Infrastructure, Route 60 Overlay, Land Use and Preservation, and Economic Development) and/or had attended Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission meetings regarding the review spoke to urge citizens to serve on the committees. Many of those in attendance joined the working groups. Several members of the Powhatan Tomorrow Executive Committee were appointed to serve on the Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee, charged with assisting the Phase I consultant’s review.

Powhatan Tomorrow has been active in supporting the Powhatan State Park and Earth Day observations in our locality. Additionally, we have hosted/co-sponsored a number of well attended, public forums wherein we brought state, regional and local experts from both the private and public sectors to our county. These forums included the following:

· In April 2007, we sponsored a Smarter Growth Forum with speakers from the Coalition for Smarter Growth, the Partnership for Smarter Growth, and the Coalition for Hanover’s Future.
· In October 2007, we held a Board of Supervisors’ Forum to address land use issues and to provide our residents with an opportunity to hear the candidates’ vision for the future. All 11 candidates were present.
· In March 2008, we co-sponsored “The Benefits of Conservation Easements in the Preservation of Open Space and Rural Lands” with the Capital Region Land Conservancy. Speakers included representatives from the Department of Conservation and Recreation; Department of Historic Resources; Department of Forestry; Department of Game and Inland Fisheries; Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services; and the Virginia Outdoors Foundation. Additionally, the forum included Powhatan County residents who have placed property in conservation easements; the Goochland County Director of Community Development; and a representative from the Capital Region Land Conservancy.
· In September 2008, we co-sponsored the Agri-Entrepreneurship Forum and Farm Tour with the Farm Bureau and the Office of Economic Development. In addition to the Secretary of Agriculture & Forestry, a representative of VSU Extension Office, a representative of the Center for Rural Culture and five local agri-entrepreneurs were present to discuss all aspects of small agri-business operations. Six local farms participated in the tour.
· In October 2008, we worked with the Powhatan County Transportation Study Group and hosted the “Transportation Challenges and the Land Use Connection” Forum. Speakers included the Secretary of Transportation and representatives from the Southern Environmental Law Center, the Virginia Association of Counties, VDOT’s Statewide Bicycle & Pedestrian Program, and the editor of Bacon’s Rebellion.

In March 2009 a General Membership meeting was held to which the general public was invited. It provided opportunity for input into the Powhatan Tomorrow Work Plan. The following issues were identified as those to be emphasized in 2009:

· Continuing to encourage public participation in the Comprehensive Plan Review.
· Developing a task force to begin working on blue (river) and green (multi-use) trails including bringing in experts to discuss trail systems.
· Partnering in the Earth Day Coalition
· Co-Sponsoring a series of educational programs designed to increase agri- entrepreneurialism.
· Co-Sponsoring a Farm Tour in September.
· Conducting a public forum re: the environmental issues impacting Powhatan’s natural resources (wildlife, surface and ground water, etc).
· Expanding our web site and possibly starting a regular e-newsletter.


Leadership Structure

Powhatan Tomorrow is governed by a Board of Directors including the following members:

Pam McCune (Co-Chair)
Maureen Moslow-Benway (Co-Chair)
India Cox (Secretary)
Tom Tokarz (Treasurer)
Joe Elton
Steve Forrest
Dan Jones
Thornton Newlon
Bob Reilly
Sister Jean Ryan
Bob Wilcox