In 2012, the Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission began gathering information from its member jurisdictions to assess the level of regional cooperation in various areas of public service. The Commission received numerous reports from local governments about the types of cooperative activities in which they are involved. From the material received, the staff of the Commission compiled the 2013 Regional Report Card.
The purpose of the Regional Report Card is to heighten awareness about the high level of regional cooperation currently taking place. The Report Card highlights how local governments are working together to address issues of concern to businesses and citizens.
The Honorable Billy Martin, Chairman of the Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission commented that “It is wrong to think that the local governments in our region don’t work cooperatively on programs/projects. I think the Regional Report Card does a good job of highlighting a spirit of cooperation among local governments. This doesn’t mean that every opportunity to cooperate has been realized, but it does indicate the broad willingness among our local leaders to work together in a number of program areas.”
One hundred and five (105) multi-jurisdictional cooperative programs and/or projects are cited in the report. These activities range from two governments working together to involvement by ten or more governments on a specific activity.
The report also highlights that local governments work cooperatively with numerous federal and state agencies on issues affecting this region. The cooperative activities cited in the “Report Card” are divided into ten categories: Economic Development; Education; Environment; General Government; Libraries; Parks/Recreation; Public Safety; Public Works and Facilities; Social and Human Services; and Transportation. The largest area of cooperation currently falls under the realm of Public Safety with 32 specific initiatives making the list.
Chief Chris Perkins of the Roanoke City Police Department said, “Our commitment to protecting the citizens of our community does not end at our jurisdictional borders. Public safety in SW Virginia depends on the collaborative cooperation of the men and women who make up our region’s criminal justice system. The sharing of intelligence, resources, and best practices has enabled us to better meet our daily objective: Protect the life, property, and civil liberties for all people in a fair and equitable manner.”
With the advent of additional venues for area leaders to meet and discuss issues of regional significance, the level of regional cooperative action among local governments (and the business community) has grown significantly in the previous decade and should continue to improve.
The Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission serves approximately 330,918 persons in a 2,325 square mile area in western Virginia. Member governments include the counties of Alleghany, Botetourt, Craig, Franklin and Roanoke; the cities of Covington, Roanoke, and Salem; and the towns of Clifton Forge, Rocky Mount and Vinton.
For more information visit: www.rvarc.org
