ARE WE MAKING A DIFFERENCE?

It’s a question we all ask ourselves at one time or another, “Am I making a difference?” Whether in our professional or personal lives, it’s our nature to know if our existence on this earth matters to anyone other than ourselves. This month we provide positive coverage to organizations that are, without doubt, making a difference. They are changing the face of our communities, bringing benefit to peoples lives and positively affecting our local economy. Read this issue to find out how Foundations are transforming our region!

FOUNDATION DEFINED
By definition, foundation means, “a body or ground on which other parts rest or are overlaid. The basis on which something stands, is founded or is supported.” In action, our regional, state and local foundations are doing just that, laying the groundwork for a vibrant and positive future for our region. Education, workforce development, and health initiatives are just a few examples of how foundations are improving our quality of life.

BIG IMPACT
When considering the financial impact of only five local foundations, there are total assets of nearly a half billion dollars. It’s big money that has and continues to have a big impact on our region. Whether it’s a new senior center in Caswell county (page 14), creating new biking and walking trails in Henry county (page 9) or providing an opportunity for higher education in Patrick County (page 18) the long-term effects foundations have on our community and it’s citizens are positive and encouraging!

Is Piedmont Magazine making a difference?
Now it’s our turn to ask, “Is Piedmont Magazine making a difference? Are we having a positive influence on our region?” Piedmont Magazine is your positive voice for the direction of our community but we only achieve that with your support. We strive to provide information that will help you make informed decisions and encourage you to play an active part in the future of our region. If you don’t currently advertise with us, I encourage you to allow Piedmont Magazine to be a part of your marketing plan. Finally, I want to welcome our newest member, Tim Kemp. Tim is an active member of the Danville business community and a welcome addition to our team. Give him a call today and become a part of our positive voice!

Thanks for your support and welcome to your Piedmont Magazine!

Gary CornsPUBLISHER

SUPPORTING THOSE IN NEED

All too often we see and hear the stories of friends and neighbors in need. Whether from downsizing or restructuring, the choices for those caught in the crossfire can often be limited. The impetus for this publication was seeing firsthand the effects of our manufacturing base move overseas and the plight of those left in its wake. In this issue we address the theme of WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT and what our region is doing to retrain our workforce for the jobs of the future.

IMPROVING SITUATION
Our region has made great strides in building the infrastructure necessary to support the retraining of our workforce. Local governments, businesses and educational resources are creating exciting new partnerships in order to provide for existing and future workforce needs. Providing a knowledgeable, skilled employee-base to incoming businesses will be crucial in our ability to recruit new opportunities to our area.

CONTAGIOUS POSITIVE ENCOURAGEMENT
The mission of Piedmont Magazine is to be THE Positive Voice for Positive Growth in our region. With each issue, we strive to bring you the good news about happenings right here, where we live, work and play. Yes, we are ‘glass-half-full’ kind of people. But, we only achieve this through the support of our advertisers. They provide us with the means to produce the quality publication you see. I encourage you to support our advertisers. When visiting, be sure to mention that you read about them in Piedmont Magazine. If you are not a current advertiser, I ask that you consider us as part of your marketing plan for the upcoming year. We are the only publication covering two-states and six-counties for as little as $6 a day!

LET US KNOW!
I encourage you to visit our web site, www.piedmontmagazine.com. You can participate in online surveys, let us know how we are doing, get answers to the PM QUIZ or tell us what topics you feel are important to our region. Thanks for your support and welcome to your Piedmont Magazine!

Gary CornsPUBLISHER

A WORLD-CLASS EDUCATION

Our education system, is it working? Can it be improved? What is currently available to our residents? These are just some of the questions we approach in this issue: REGIONAL EDUCATION. The chart below illustrates the number of residents over the age of 25, who are high school graduates and those who have a bachelor’s degree or higher. We also see how our numbers compare with those on a state and national basis. The educational process is constantly evolving as the demands of the marketplace changes. Read how a world-class education is readily available... locally!

Notes of interest. First, we want to welcome Mary Louise Smith to our sales staff. Mary Louise will be supporting our southern region advertisers. She has a great enthusiasm for Piedmont Magazine. Additionally, we are expanding distribution into the following counties: Caswell, Guilford and Stokes. Check our website for specific locations. As this issue marks our first full-year of publishing, let us know how we’re doing and what topics you would like to see discussed. And, as always, welcome to your Piedmont Magazine!

Gary CornsPUBLISHER

BETTER TO HAVE IT AND NOT NEED IT, THAN TO NEED IT AND NOT HAVE IT!

Health care. How blessed we are to live in a country that has what we need, when we need it and most often, where we need it. The opportunity to seek out the health care of our choosing distinguishes us from many parts of the world. Nine years ago, I proceeded into my family doctor’s office for a standard, yearly physical. I exited his office as a cancer patient. I was thirty-four and ‘healthy as a horse,’ my doctor commented ‘well... except for the cancer’. However, within a week I had undergone surgery and within another three weeks, I had commenced radiation treatment. Within a matter of months of my diagnosis I was declared ‘cancer-free’ and I am forever grateful to all of those involved. In our four-county, two-state Piedmont region we are fortunate to have five exemplary hospitals and countless professionals providing medical care to our citizens. In this issue you’ll find out what our area hospitals are doing to maintain the level of services that we sometimes take for granted. You’ll also read about innovative new advances in areas of health care that you may not have realized were available locally. From massage and laughter therapy to dental and audiological breakthroughs, Piedmont Magazine is spreading the positive news!

A continued thanks to our advertisers. Without you this magazine would not be possible. We also want to thank you, our readers, for your continued support. If you have thoughts or comments, please send me an e-mail. I would love to hear from you and, as always, welcome to your Piedmont Magazine! -PM

Gary CornsPUBLISHER

PUBLISHER’S NOTE: As an alumnus of Virginia Tech (‘85), my heart broke as the events of April 16th unfolded. For the victims and their families and for the medical, professional and academic providers who attended to the needs of all, you remain in our thoughts and prayers.

OUR PIEDMONT DOWNTOWNS: WHAT MAKES (AND KEEPS) THEM SUCCESSFUL?

I still recall, growing up in Patrick County, walking with my family down Stuart’s Main Street on a Saturday afternoon. It was more than just a ‘trip to town’ as mom often referred to it but an opportunity to learn, explore and see our friends and neighbors. After a quick stop by the local bank, which kept Saturday hours before it came back into vogue, and lunch at the Coffee Break (still serving today, see page 58 of the current issue) my dad, brother and I would drop in for a haircut at the local barbershop. After the haircuts, which were usually received along with tales of recently caught citation trout or bagged trophy bucks, we would head next door to the store of all stores, a store stocked floor to ceiling with the most diverse range of products a young boy could ask for, that’s right... the local Western Auto Store! It had it all: nuts, bolts, washers, lawn mowers and even the coveted, Western Flyer Wagon! What made the store even more appealing were the folks inside who greeted us by name and offered their help, even if they knew we were there only to pretend drive the latest model of riding lawn tractor.

This childhood memory offers a glimpse of what made ‘downtowns’ of the late 1960’s successful; Service! That item that once fueled your local gas station, is now fueling downtown growth. In this issue we focus on Downtown Revitalization. In it you will find unique and informative stories on how local businesses are using great service to lure new shoppers to their stores and how that is helping drive the economic growth throughout our communities, downtown and beyond. We hope you learn something new, explore something different and maybe recognize an old friend! Thanks for your continued support and welcome to your latest Piedmont Magazine!

Gary CornsPUBLISHER

10,000 PREMIERE COPIES

Dateline: August, 2006. 10,000 copies of your positive voice for positive growth are now circulating through the two-state, four county region we call Piedmont Country! The following is some additional information about who we reach and what we are about.

Who we reach and the influence they have. With a population of more than 230,000 people, a workforce of more than 113,000, the four-county Piedmont border region has an average household income of $35,000. Counties in the region include Patrick, Henry and Pittsylvania Counties in Virginia and Rockingham County in North Carolina.

Piedmont Magazine targets business, government and nonprofit leaders and civic-minded citizens throughout the area, as well as those in adjoining counties. Each quarter the magazine presents a topic of economic importance to the region, showcasing state-of-the-art examples that illustrate our theme.

As a community-based magazine, we strive to include the views and opinions of community representatives. The people of the region, their businesses and their communities’ efforts to improve the area’s economic life will always be our story.

Gary CornsPUBLISHER

UPFRONT on our first issue

Well here we are... within a few days of closing out the ad sales of our very first issue of Piedmont Magazine and the support has been tremendous! Over the last few weeks we have had the immense pleasure of meeting some truly wonderful folks in the two-state, four-county area we call Piedmont Country! We thank each chamber president, economic developer, city manager, business owner and civic-minded citizen we've met along the way for your kind support and hospitality. We are excited about our upcoming editorial content on The New Energy in Tourism and the impact that it is having on our local economy. That, along with some great stories on specific local businesses that you might have not even known were around, will make our first issue a must read if you have an interest in the development and vitality of our region.

A special note to our premiere issue Charter Advertisers.... we could NOT have done this without you! You have heard our position and agreed that Piedmont Magazine can and will be a positive voice for positive growth in our region! You share our vision of promoting the good about our area and all that it has to offer. Our exceptional educational systems, our outstanding health-care facilities and the potential that each community holds not only for it's existing residents but future residents also. And for that, we offer a humble – thank-you.

But wait... the best is yet to come! Our first issue will hit the streets at the end of July. We will distribute approximately 10,000 copies though the chambers, select mailings, welcome centers, advertisers and other areas with high-consumer traffic. All in order to get the good word out about our area and what it has to offer.

Finally, if you haven't yet made the commitment to advertise with us, there is still time! Call us at 276-734-2588 before the end of this week and have your product or service in front of 25,000 potential customers, four-times a year!

Again, thanks for your support and welcome to your Piedmont Magazine!

Gary CornsPUBLISHER