OUR HISTORY

`Round the Mountain was created in the fall of 2004, as a result of funding from Governor Warner's Virginia Works Initiative. Recognizing the assets of our region, Governor Warner announced that $100,000 in Appalachian Regional Commission funds were designated to develop an artisan initiative in Southwest Virginia to further develop the region as a major cultural and heritage tourism destination.

A group of interested individuals representing state and local government, planning districts, the small business community, arts organizations, economic development, tourism and artisans meant in September 2004 to begin the planning process. The group continued to invite interested people to the meetings and before long, the `Round the Mountain Steering Committee grew to 57 people representing the 19 county, 4 city region that make up the `Round the Mountain service area.

Between September 2004 and May 2005 the `Round the Mountain Steering Committee developed its mission, articles of incorporation, bylaws and started the work on its non-profit status, which was granted in March 2006. In May 2005 Diana Blackburn was hired as the organization's first executive director.

Since then `Round the Mountain is proud of its many accomplishments which includes: co-hosting the June 2005 "Creating a New Economy in Southwest Virginia" conference; populating the on-line Craft Registry which provides RTM members with regional marketing and sales opportunities, and, most recently, the completion of the Wythe/Bland Artisans and Heritage Trails, the first "community loop" of the `Round the Mountain Regional Artisan Trail Network.

`Round the Mountain has also participated in the National Folk Festival in Richmond and the Jamestown 400th Anniversary Weekend in Jamestown.