It might surprise you to know that the "partial shutdown" impacts our area in more ways than you think. If you have the perception that furloughed employees all work in Washington, DC, nothing could be farther from the truth. Only about 20% of federal government employees work in the nation's capital. Most are spread out throughout the country and many of them are right here in southwestern Virginia.
Many people in our area are going without pay. At sites operated by private companies, like The Peaks of Otter lodge and restaurant, employees have been furloughed and reservations for rooms and dining cancelled. The same goes for the concessionaires at Mabry's Mill. The Blue Ridge Music Center is closed and performances and special events cancelled.
Though the Blue Ridge Parkway is open, the attractions, campgrounds, and even picnic sites are closed. The impact on the local economy will take a long time to be determined, and if the shutdown goes on for long, it will take a long time to recover from the loss of revenue.
Here's a list of where you needn't bother visiting until this impasse is resolved:
Blacksburg Shooting Range
Blue Ridge Music Center
Boley Camping Field
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| Photo from The Peaks of Otter Lodge website |
Booker T. Washington National Monument
Caldwell Camping Fields
Cascades Day Use Area
Craig Creek Recreation Area
Dragon's Tooth
Fenwick Mines Day Use Area
Flat Top Trailhead
Glen Alton Day Use Area
Interior Whistle Stop Picnic Area
Mabry's Mill
Pandapas Pond Day Use Area
Peaks of Otter Lodge and Restaurant
Potts Shooting Range
Roaring Run Day Use Area
Steel Bridge Campground
Pines Campground
Walnut Flats Campground
White Cedar Horse Camp
White Rocks Campground
Wolf Creek Day Use Area
Want to contact your US Senator or Representative? You'll have to write them. Until the shutdown is over, their Washington offices are closed. Here's how:
9th Congressional District
Congressman Bob Goodlatte
Washington,DC Office
2309 Rayburn HOB
Washington, DC 20515
(202) 225-5431
6th Congressional District
Congressman Morgan Griffith
Washington, DC Office
1108 Longworth HOB
Washington, DC 20515
(202) 225-3861
5th Congressional District
Congressman Robert Hurt
Washington, DC Office
125 Cannon
Washington, DC 20515
(202) 225-4711
Senators
Senator Tim Kaine
388 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
(202) 224-4024
Senator Mark Warner
475 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
1-877-676-2759
