Make plans now to bring your colleagues and community leaders to downtown Galax, Virginia on Tuesday, November 15, 2011.

 Gateway Community Reception
Chestnut Creek School of the Arts – 6:00 – 6:45  p.m.
100 N. Main Street – Galax

Ed McMahon “Protecting Community Character” Presentation
Rex Theater – 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
113 East Grayson Street – Galax

Held in conjunction with the 3-day “Taking the High Road Workshop”, we invite you and your community leaders to come hear Ed McMahon, noted author, attorney, lecturer and expert on creating and sustaining livable and prosperous communities. Asset based economic development, tourism promotion, and historic preservation are among the themes of Mr. McMahon’s publications and programs. He has been providing guidance to communities and local leaders on issues facing “gateway communities” for more than a decade in work with the National Park Service capturing this work in a book he co-author entitled, “Balancing Nature and Commerce in Gateway Communities.”

Attendees will learn about the economic, social and environmental benefits of protecting community character, and the value of open space and historic resources. Learn about major tools that can be used to protect community character, including education, voluntary initiatives and other non-regulatory action, as well as alternatives to conventional residential and commercial development. The session will address the challenges in preserving community character and ways to generate public support and the political will to use available tools.

Says McMahon, “The truth is that development is inevitable, but the destruction of community character and natural resources that too often accompany growth is not. Progress does not demand degraded surroundings.”