RESS RELEASE
August 21, 2008

Heartwood: Southwest Virginia’s Artisan Gateway Receives Crucial Funding
Tourism and economic development model poised to make a strong impact

Abingdon, Va. (August 21, 2008) – Heartwood: Southwest Virginia's Artisan Gateway is one step closer to becoming a reality with the recent announcement that the project has received a combined total of $10.3 million from the Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission.

This funding is increasing the buzz among the artisan community who expect to benefit greatly from the economic opportunities Heartwood will provide. Artisans connected to the center through 'Round the Mountain: Southwest Virginia's Artisan Network are expected to gain increased exposure through the in-house sale of crafts and cultural artifacts, as well as increased tourism to individual artisan businesses that Heartwood will encourage.

Heartwood is projected to draw 270,000 visitors and generate more than $2 million in revenue each year for the region. As the gateway to Southwest Virginia, Heartwood will be the physical symbol of the region’s new creative economy, and a one-of-a-kind tourism destination for travelers to explore the cultural, musical and artisan culture that is distinctive of the region.

The Tobacco Commission funding helps Heartwood reach its total project goal of $17 million and will be spent over a two-year period, directed towards construction and tourism database development. Construction could begin as early as the beginning of 2009 with an anticipated opening in late 2010.

Heartwood has previously been awarded funds from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, the Virginia General Assembly, the Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission, the Appalachian Regional Commission, Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Town of Abingdon, and Washington County.