U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner, D-Va., on Wednesday announced Southwest Virginia's 'Round the Mountain artisan network has been awarded a grant of $815,000 from the U.S. Department of Commerce, Department of Agriculture and Appalachian Regional Commission.

The innovation grant was awarded to "Appalachian Spring," a creative economic initiative through the Friends of Southwest Virginia in partnership with the region's planning district commissions, People Inc. and Virginia Community Capital to develop asset-based economic development particularly related to outdoor recreation, downtown revitalization and small business development.

'Round the Mountain will serve as the fiscal agent to administer the grant. The initiative will support community development efforts in all 19 counties and four cities included in the greater Southwest Virginia region.

'Round the Mountain was started in 2004 by then-Gov. Warner as part of an effort to further develop the region as a cultural and heritage tourism destination. 'Round the Mountain works with The Crooked Road: Virginia's Heritage Music Trail, Southwest Virginia Cultural Heritage Foundation, and Friends of Southwest Virginia on efforts to promote sustainable economic development.

"Eight years after we launched this network during my term as governor, it is very gratifying to see how 'Round the Mountain, The Crooked Road and the Heartwood Artisan Gateway and others have helped leverage local cultural assets and diversify Southwest Virginia's overall economy," Warner said.

The grant will enable the Cultural Heritage Foundation to fulfill its mission by working with partners in local, regional and state government "to go to the next level in developing a creative economy in Southwest Virginia," said Cultural Heritage Foundation Executive Director Todd Christensen.

The $815,000 grant includes $500,000 from the Commerce Department's Economic Development Administration, $215,000 from the Agriculture Department's rural broadband program, and $100,000 from the Appalachian Regional Commission.

The funds are intended to provide technical assistance to small businesses in the region that are engaged in the arts, outdoor recreation, local foods and broadband service delivery.