Each day, over 70,000 vehicles pass through eastern Wythe County, along Interstates 81 and 77, making the stretch of roadway one of the most traveled sections of highway in the region.

Unfortunately, the lack of a functioning wastewater system in the extreme eastern end of the county has, for years, stifled commerce.

In recent years, Wythe County has become proactive in combating these issues, in hopes that greater economic activity off the county’s interstate exits will in turn lower the tax burdens on the county’s 29,235 residents.

This May, the County completed a multi-year project by providing businesses and residents between Exits 84 and 86 with public sewage.

Previously, businesses located off Exit 86 were forced to treat their own wastewater. Linda Wyatt, owner of the Apple Tree

Restaurant, says they treated their wastewater for over forty years.

Calling the entire process of treating their business’ wastewater a “nightmare,” Wyatt says, “We had to fill out daily reports regarding the treatment plant, had to deal with state inspections and were constantly facing new issues.”

“When the county notified us that we could hook up, we closed the treatment plant the same day. The county’s wastewater system has taken a huge expense and liability off our shoulders.”

The improvements in sewage come on the heels of recent highway improvements made by VDOT. Last year, VDOT rebuilt the Exit 86 bridge, strengthening and widening the structure, in anticipation of additional traffic in the coming years.

County leaders hope these improvements, in conjunction with legislation passed by the 2013 General Assembly regarding mixed beverage licenses between mile markers 75 and 86 along Interstate 81 will allow the county to be viewed more favorably by high quality restaurants.

By attracting restaurants similar to those found in the Town of Wytheville, Wythe County officials are optimistic that the recent changes will, over the course of time, help lower the burden for taxpayers countywide.

Additional hotels and restaurants in the county would provide meals and lodging tax collections for the county.

Presently, the majority of large chain restaurants and hotels within the county are located in the Town of Wytheville and all meals and lodging taxes goes to the Town.

Despite inclement weather, twenty-four individuals participated in the Emergency Vehicle Operator’s Course [EVOC] earlier last month.

The two day training program began with eight hours of classroom presentation, followed by an entire day spent driving emergency vehicles through a road-course set up in a parking lot at the Wytheville Community College.

The Wythe County Board of Supervisors sponsored program was instructed by the county’s emergency management team through the Virginia Department of Fire Programs and the Virginia Association of Rescue Squads.

In addition to the sixteen hours of training time logged, students participating in the certification program were required to complete a written examination and practical skills test.

Through the training exercise, emergency responders learned safe driving techniques for operating a wide variety of emergency vehicles, including police cars, ambulances and fire trucks.

In spite of heavy rains, class instructors continued with the hands-on-driving portion of the program, “We respond in all types of weather, including the rain, so we didn’t stop the course when the weather started getting ugly,” said Ikey Davidson, Wythe County’s Director of Emergency Management.

The safety training included participants from multiple departments, as well as several neighboring localities.

Through training exercises such as these, government officials hope to enhance public safety by ensuring emergency personnel and volunteers are prepared to meet the challenges associated with driving emergency vehicles.

Special thanks to Wythe County Rescue Squad for providing accompanying photos.