Podcasts Government Partners for Better Communities (Virginia's DHCD Podcast) 22. Facing COVID with Giles County's Chris McKlarney Innovative collaborations in the New River Valley

22. Facing COVID with Giles County's Chris McKlarney Innovative collaborations in the New River Valley

Published: Aug. 7, 2020, 1:47 p.m.

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Giles County Administrator Chris McKlarney is known for a specific brand of supportive, collaborative, and action-oriented leadership. With other New River Valley partners, the County organized early to support small businesses, quickly creating a gift card program and structuring a model approach to helping businesses when they have an active contact with the virus. "We need to do everything we can to keep our people safe," says McKlarney.  And they\'re doing it together. "Communities in the New River Valley have always gotten along exceptionally well. We\'ve always collaborated and cooperated very well." That practice of collaboration is paying off: the region organized early and the Business Continuity Team program has received $250,000 in funding through GO Virginia.

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Hear how the County, and the region, is layering resources including DHCD\'s Community Business Launch and Community Development Block Grant program.

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Check out Giles County, Virginia\'s Mountain Playground, here.

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Get more information on COVID-19 resources at www.dhcd.virginia.gov/COVID-19.

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