But Nautica, which looked at several sites in other states, was attracted by the region's large available work force and land and by local governments' willingness to help with the project, he said. But that won't always be true, Harned warned. One day, the area's double-digit jobless rate will drop back toward the national average and the region will lose the biggest advantage it now has, he said. When we get back even . . Candidates take I-73 en route to November Interstate 73 has overlaid itself on the road map of this fall's election campaign, with several Democrats lining up against its proposed route through Southeast Roanoke and Roanoke County.
Interstate opponents say historical sites and environmental issues are their best means of defense.
Henry County residents somehow got I-73 rerouted. The endangered fish, farm land and forests are concerns that may affect the federal approval of I-73. The new plan through Henry County will also cost just a little less to build. It won't be an interstate in West Virginia. In Virginia, the section from Bluefield to Roanoke is on the back burner.