Big economic plans for the small town of Boones Mill

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BOONES MILL (WSLS 10) - The Boones Mill town council passed the first comprehensive plan in its history that includes plans for economic growth, and business owners are excited about the news.

Nestled along route 220, Boones Mill is midway between Roanoke and Rocky Mount; areas which have projected growing populations and established local tourist destinations.

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That's all traffic businesses in Boones Mill can capitalize on.  Holly Pack Chapman owns the nearby Holly Jo's Creekside Grill. Chapman has been in business for a year and said business is good, but an increase in the local economy would give her a much-needed boost.

"Yelp and Trip Advisor has all put me out there so people just drive by and eat," Pack Chapman said.

The news plans laid out in the first ever comprehensive plan for Boones Mill are ambitious, but Boones Mill leaders say they'll make the difference for those who depend on the local economy.

Town Manager Matt Lawless helped the town council develop the plans, focusing on a new direction for the historic railroad town.

"It's a pretty big milestone for Boones Mill," said town manager Matt Lawless. "We haven't had the holistic view of what kind of community we really want to be, and how to we build the partnerships to get there," Lawless said.

In the plans, an expansion and rebuilding project in the industrial park and renovations of vacant buildings in the historic downtown.

Lawless says it's also more affordable to buy real estate in town, and even run a business, which he says will encourage more to come.

"It's a really appealing community for today's residents and also folks who may want to come and live here," Lawless said.


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