The Blue Ridge Crossroads region has suffered major job losses due to businesses closing their doors over the past five years.  However, a new approach to Economic Development has emerged.  Dr. Dallas Garrett has been successful in filling much of the void by providing assistance with the "Creation of Business" and enhancing entrepreneurship in Carroll, Grayson and the City of Galax.

"The way I see it, we've replaced one of the large industries that closed its doors," said Garrett.

Since the beginning of Carroll County's Business Development program, Garrett has assisted with the creation of 428 new jobs through entrepreneurial businesses with a capital investment of $17 million.

Garrett retired and moved to Carroll County in 2003 after serving 20 years in creating business incubator programs across the nation.   When realizing he could not stay away from the business profession, Garrett became Carroll's first ever Business Development Specialist in 2006 – assisting with the creation of 19 new small businesses employing 95 new workers his first year.  Carroll County Administrator, Gary Larrowe said that the 2006 year goal was to work with 100 local companies and Dr. Garrett exceeded the goal and worked with 112 Carroll companies.

The Business Development program has been recognized as one of the best local entrepreneurial programs in the Commonwealth – receiving the Best Practices Award from The Center Council for Rural Virginia in 2007. This award is given annually by the Council for Rural Virginia to recognize outstanding individual commitment and service to the advancement of rural communities and/or issues in Virginia.

"The Center Council for Rural Virginia believes that entrepreneurial business has been the strength of rural Virginia for 400 years. Carroll County (and now that of the Blue Ridge Crossroads Region) is positioning her ‘rural assets - her people' to step into a globally competitive market," said Glen Sink – Executive Director of the Center Council for Rural Virginia. "The Council recognized the forward progress of Carroll County at Virginia's 2007 Annual Rural Summit as a model for Rural Virginia."

"Beyond the results achieved, Carroll County's emphasis on an entrepreneurial strategy as one part of a comprehensive overall economic development plan is evidence of solid local leadership with a vision," said Liz Povar – Director of Business Development for the Virginia Economic Development Partnership.  "With Carroll and the Small Business Development Center implementing the vision by dedicating staff time, financial resources, and building partnerships create the opportunities for success today and in the future.  This is a best practice example from which many other communities can learn."

"This program is exciting and making a difference in not only the economy, but in the lives of families," said Gary Larrowe – County Administrator for Carroll.  "Most localities focus on the attraction of large "Game", however, our economic development strategy includes job creation through entrepreneurship and going after the backbone group of small business.  The work that Dallas has done with Carroll's economic development and now the region has been tremendous in assisting with entrepreneurial businesses in our area."

Carroll's Business Development program has expanded as Garrett is now working in a more regional effort in providing his service to not only Carroll, but also in Grayson County and the City of Galax as Director of the Small Business Development Center of the Blue Ridge Crossroads Economic Development Authority (BRCEDA).

Even though Garrett is now being shared regionally, Carroll continued to expand their initial program by hiring a new Business Development Specialist, Mr. Bernie Deck.  "Why not support the things that are working?" said Larrowe.

Carroll County Board of Supervisor Member, Manus McMillan said, "I was hesitant in sharing the program with the region but it was the correct thing to do.  We must help our friends in all aspects of life and here is another way we can support each other by sharing a great program to grow our local economy".

Garrett commented, "We assist people through whatever process is necessary. After explaining the services we provide to local entrepreneurs who are interested in starting or expanding their own business, assistance is given. "Blue Ridge Crossroads Region" has many citizens with a multitude of wonderful business ideas as well as a willingness to invest time, energy and effort into making the business a success. Our office will do anything necessary to help them complete a business plan successfully as well as helping them find funding sources."

Some of the SBDC services include developing a business plan, providing financial connections and conducting several follow-up visits in making sure plans for new businesses go as smooth as possible.

Garrett has assisted with a huge variety of new businesses – from the opening of an automotive service center to an embroidery service to now a large manufacturing business.

"Dallas did a great job in helping to develop our business," said Dennis Isom, co-owner of Isom Collision and Custom Paint – one of many businesses Garrett assisted with.  "He brought us in the right direction and it would have taken us a lot longer in getting the business up and running if we had to do it without him."

"Dallas was a huge asset in getting my business getting started," said Greg Dickerson, owner of Dickerson's Farm Equipment - another one of Garrett's. "He worked really good with us and he offered a flexible time schedule in which we could conveniently meet with him on a regular basis." 

(County Administrator Gary Larrowe was a contributor to this article.)

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