Economic Development
Smyth County is located in the lower portion of the Great Valley of
Western Virginia. Interstate 81 runs through the county's central valley,
and intersects with Interstate 77 approximately 25 miles northeast of the
Town of Marion. Three towns are located in Smyth County:
Marion (the county seat),
Chilhowie, and
Saltville.
On average, 5,000 students pass through the doors of fifteen schools
supported by the county. The School Board
operates seven elementary schools, three middle schools, three high schools,
an alternative school, and one county wide career and technology center.
Throughout the last eight years Smyth County school division has had one of
the lowest high school drop out rates among Virginia’s 133 school divisions.
The school system fully meets the Standard of Quality mandated by the
Virginia General Assembly.
The county has three major valleys carved by the three forks of the
Holston River , and a large portion of the county is located within the
boundaries of a popular tourist destination,
Mount Rogers National
Recreation Area. Every year, thousands of visitors and county residents
alike enjoy Hungry
Mother State Park and the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area.
Smyth County also experiences four distinct and often spectacularly
beautiful seasons, with moderate climate as one of its major assets. The
county’s southern location has relatively mild winters, and its elevation
provides natural air conditioning during the summer months. Only a very few
of the county’s manufacturing plants are actually air-conditioned.
If you grew up here, you know about the pace of life, sense of family and
community and the beauty of Virginia's Great Southwest. Those things are
still the same. Even better now that a new career option may be waiting on
you to come and claim it. Return to
Roots (RTR) can keep you informed of the companies with job openings in
Southwestern Virginia. Job opportunities are exploding and the quality of
life is even better than you remember.
When you come to experience the community within Smyth County, you will
find a county that will go Beyond Your Expectations!
