REGIONAL VIEW southwest virginia


Statue to honor Southwest Virginia businesswoman by Vanessa Remmers


new monument honoring the accomplishments of Virginia women. Laura Lu Scherer Copen-


A


haver, who died in 1940 at age 72, was one of the first members of the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation, which emphasizes cooperative marketing of farm products to improve farmers’ standard of living. Copenhaver’s achievements


have earned her a place in the Virginia Women’s Monument on Capitol Square in downtown Richmond. Her bronze, life-size statue will stand among 11 oth- ers honoring notable women such as Martha Washington and Richmond banker Mag- gie L. Walker. Copenhaver’s mother and daughter also will be included in the monument, with their names inscribed on a wall. “I don’t think she is well known outside of her region, but she should be,” says San-


FOR THE RECORD


A new study shows Amtrak ser- vice to the Twin City would likely be well-supported and not overly expensive to operate — but making it a reality could still take many years. A crowd of about 50 people heard details of the study in December during a meeting at The Bristol Hotel. The study was prepared by AECOM, an inter- national design, consulting and construction firm, in collaboration with the Community Transporta- tion Association of America. The study was funded through a series of grants. Rich Sampson of Community Transportation of America said logical next steps include a state-initiated feasibility study — now on hold — and communicating continued inter- est from local residents to state


dra Treadway, the librarian of Virginia and member of the monument commission. Copenhaver practiced


the cooperative marketing methods she preached. She hired and trained women to make coverlets, hooked rugs and other household items. Through a mail-order catalog, she sold products to markets as far away as Asia and Europe, an enterprise that created local jobs.


and federal officials. (Bristol Herald Courier)


Gov. Ralph Northam wants to set aside $175,000 for an independent study of gambling options in Virginia, a proposal that could put the brakes on bills to legalize casinos and sports betting. The study — which would involve several state agencies and boards — would be due to the governor and General Assembly by Nov. 1. That timeline doesn’t match up with the one sought by back- ers of a casino project proposed for Bristol, where city leaders see gambling as a way to revital- ize an economically struggling area. Proponents of the Bristol casino are hoping to get legisla- tion passed that will allow city residents to vote on the idea in


Photo courtesy Virginia Women’s Monument Commission


Smyth County entrepreneur has earned a spot on a


A statue of Laura Lu Scherer Copenhaver will be among 12 that will be placed at the Virginia Women’s Monument.


“It was very unusual for


a woman to do that at that time,” Treadway says. The business, later incor-


porated as Laura Copenhaver Industries, operated for almost 100 years. It closed in 2012, according to her descendants, in part because artisans became scarce. Copenhaver’s relatives hope the monu- ment will shed light on her accomplishments. “We really are thrilled.


the November election. (Rich- mond Times-Dispatch)


Nearly 90 percent of 500 people who live along Interstate 81 in Virginia said in a poll that they favor investing $2 billion to improve the corridor, and a major- ity said they’d like to see a toll placed on freight trucks to pay for it. The results of the survey of reg- istered voters, starting in Bristol, Va., and ending in Washington, D.C., were released in December. The poll was conducted by the Virginia Transportation Construc- tion Alliance in conjunction with researchers at Public Opinion Strategies, a public opinion and research firm. The survey was a follow-up to a November report released by VTCA and the American Road & Transportation Builders Association that found


www.VirginiaBusiness.com


She flew under the radar,” says Thomas Copenhaver, Laura Copenhaver’s grandson, who ran the business in its final years.


The granite plaza and


the Wall of Honor are open now to the public, but statues have not yet been placed there. Some, but not all, will be on the plaza when the monument is dedicated Oct. 14. Copen- haver’s statue has not yet been made.


that a $2 billion investment in the interstate would stimulate $4.3 billion in business activity in the cities, counties and rural areas immediately along the interstate. (Bristol Herald Courier)


To combat declining enrollment, University of Virginia’s College at Wise hopes to offer reduced tuition rates to any student from the Appalachian region, making the cost of attendance equal or near that charged for Virginia residents. The federally defined Appalachian region stretches from southern New York to north- ern Alabama, encompassing all or part of 13 states. U.Va.’s board of visitors, which also oversees the College at Wise, signaled approval for the effort at its December meeting but did not take a formal vote and approved


standard 2018-19 tuition rates. If legislation is approved in the Virginia General Assembly this session, U.Va.-Wise may be able to adjust its tuition rates ahead of the coming school year. (The Daily Progress)


PEOPLE


Michael Cal- laghan has been named head wom- en’s soccer coach at Bluefield Col- lege in Tazewell County. Callaghan, an alumnus of the


college, served as interim coach for the women’s soccer team before being named head coach and also assisted with the men’s soccer program at Bluefield College during the 2018 sea- son. (News release)


VIRGINIA BUSINESS | 15


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