Foundation Makes $1.56 Million Investment In Complete Streets to Improve Community

Richard Killingsworth of the Harvest Foundation believes the road to community prosperity is a complete street, lined with bike lanes, sidewalks and human-scale development. He has set out to make his community of Martinsville Virginia -- known in part for its motor speedway -- into a model of what better planning and a more livable street network can do for the health of its residents and for its economy.

The Harvest Foundation announced Thursday it will provide $1.56 million over three years toward an initiative aimed at improving the Henry County-Martinsville economy by improving the area’s quality of life as well as the health of the community and its residents.

It is the largest investment that a foundation has made toward such an initiative, according to Killingsworth. Grant recipients include BikeWalk Virginia, the National Complete Streets Coalition, the Safe Routes to School National Partnership, and the League of American Bicyclists. The project will be evaluated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and will also help produce a national 'best practices' report.

The initiative is based on a nationwide “Complete Streets” movement that involves planning, designing and building infrastructure that people — especially pedestrians and bicyclists — need.

“We have an unprecedented opportunity to ensure that our investment helps revitalize our public spaces and creates a uniquely attractive, vibrant and healthy place that speaks to our vision of Martinsville-Henry County becoming a community of choice,” Killingsworth said.