For immediate release: August 31, 2020
Contact: Cody Sexton, Assistant to the County Administrator (540) 928-2010 csexton@botetourtva.gov
Botetourt County and Roanoke Gas Company Partner for Service in Blue Ridge
Botetourt County, VA: As a bonus of the construction of the new Colonial Elementary School, Botetourt County and Roanoke Gas Company have partnered to bring natural gas service to the Blue Ridge community. The new school will be using natural gas-fired boilers; therefore, having the natural gas infrastructure in place is a critical piece of the success of the project. As a result, the new infrastructure will serve the school and the homes and businesses along the way to the school. It is expected that Roanoke Gas will expand the system over time, from the school location, to serve even more homes and businesses with natural gas service.
“Getting natural gas service to Blue Ridge is one of the extra benefits we are receiving as a result of the new school project,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Billy Martin, who also represents Blue Ridge. “This new infrastructure will not only provide an economical, more reliable source of energy but also will help to reduce energy costs and increase the desirability of living in Blue Ridge.”
Beginning earlier this year, Roanoke Gas began installing gas facilities along U.S. 460 east toward Laymantown Road, branching off to Welches Run and then along Laymantown Road to Murray Drive and ultimately to the school property. With the new school scheduled to open by the end of 2020, these facilities will be available in early fall.
“We are thrilled to bring natural gas service to the Blue Ridge community,” stated Jim Shockley, Chief Operating Officer for Roanoke Gas. “This $4.8 million investment, one of the largest in the Company’s history, entailed installing approximately 2 miles of pipe. We look forward to continuing to invest and expand facilities to serve the Blue Ridge community.”
“Natural gas service is a very positive attribute to any community, and we all are thrilled that natural gas has been expanded across Route 460 to serve this area of Blue Ridge. Also, sincere BoCo appreciation is extended to Roanoke Gas for building and paying for this extension,” said Botetourt County Administrator Gary Larrowe.
Service connections will be available as construction of the distribution facilities continues. Anyone interested in connecting to natural gas service should contact Roanoke Gas Company at www.roanokegas.com.
About Botetourt County Botetourt County (Pop. 33,494) is a 546 sq. mile community in Southwestern Virginia. The rural community is located in the southwestern portion of the state in the scenic Roanoke Valley of Virginia. Strategically located on Interstate 81 and just 20 miles to Interstate 64, Botetourt County is accessible to the markets of the Mid-West and the East. Botetourt County has a five-member elected Board of Supervisors which oversees most of the county’s government-related operations. In addition, Botetourt County has a complete administrative staff that works under the direction of a County Administrator who is hired by the Board of Supervisors to run day-to-day operations.
About Roanoke Gas Company RGC Resources, Inc. provides energy and related products and services to approximately 62,000 customers in Virginia through its operating subsidiaries including Roanoke Gas Company and RGC Midstream, LLC. From time to time, the Company may publish forward-looking statements relating to such matters as anticipated financial performance, business prospects, technological developments, new products, research and development activities and similar matters. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor for forward-looking statements. In order to comply with the terms of the safe harbor, the Company notes that a variety of factors could cause the Company’s actual results and experience to differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in the Company’s forward-looking statements.