Our Community

With an estimated 2,500 residents, Highland County is the least populated of Virginia's 135 counties and cities. It is also the most sparsely populated locality in the commonwealth- only five counties east of the Mississippi River have more land per person.

As a tiny outpost in one of the nation's largest and fastest growing states, Highland lacks the local financial resources needed to create and maintain a vibrant community and economy. Because of its size, the county has difficulty mustering the political clout needed to attract public and private investment.

The Highland Center is responding to the community's unique circumstances by providing services which in many larger places are the responsibility of local government, especially in the area of economic development. The Highland Center has had great successes since it's beginning in 1998, some of which include:

Completing a strategic plan and hiring an executive director
Acquiring the historic Monterey High School building
Initiating the Highland Farmers' Market and building a permanent Market Pavilion
Initiating the Youth Employment Program
Renovating and furnishing a commercial kitchen
Nurturing businesses and non-profit start-ups with an innovative incubator program
Facilitating the establishment of DSL broadband service in the county
Completing a feasibility study for a regional Agricultural Center
Acquiring architectural designs for the building's renovation

P.O. Box 556 \| Monterey, VA \| 24465 Phone: (540) 468-1922 \| Fax: (540) 468-2551 \| E-mail: highlandcenter@htcnet.org
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