Vinton Mayor Brad Grose has been elected chairman of the Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission (RVARC) for 2017-2019.

Current Roanoke County Board of Supervisors Chairman Joe McNamara will serve as vice chairman; Dean Martin as treasurer; and Wayne Strickland as secretary.

Vinton Town Manager Barry Thompson also represents Vinton on the regional commission.

The RVARC represents participating local governments included in the geographic area delineated by the Commonwealth of Virginia from Alleghany, Botetourt, Craig, Franklin, and Roanoke counties, the towns of Vinton, Rocky Mount, and Clifton Forge, and the cities of Roanoke, Salem, and Covington.

The purpose of the RVARC  is to promote orderly and efficient development of the physical, social, and economic elements of the district by planning, encouraging, and assisting governmental subdivisions to plan for the future.

“The Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission is vitally important to the area,” said Grose. “They provide professional planning and organization which leads to growth and the improvement of quality of life.

“The local commission also helps facilitate cooperation and collaboration among its 11 members,” he added. “I am thrilled to be elected as chairman. I look forward to working with representatives from all 11 localities.”