Triplett Named Community Development Coordinator

TOWN OF ABINGDON

Abingdon, Virginia

Triplett Named Community Development Coordinator

The Town of Abingdon, Virginia has named Tonya Triplett to the newly created position of Community Development Coordinator, where she will facilitate and promote community planning and development.    

"I'm very excited for the opportunity of this new adventure,” said Triplett. “I will be working with business owners, citizens, Town staff, and Council to enhance some of the wonderful assets that Abingdon already has. I hope to be helpful to the established businesses and make the process of opening a new business more efficient.”

As Triplett assumes her position, she will be attending training seminars for grant writing, economic development, and community planning. These seminars will give her direction and insight to help Abingdon become an economic leader in the Commonwealth. Also, she will “hit the streets” to meet with merchants and property owners to collect feedback and form working relationships to promote growth.

With the title of Community Development Coordinator, Triplett will be a liaison to the business community. She will work with the Town of Abingdon Economic Development Authority, network with other development agencies in the Commonwealth, maintain an inventory of available spaces, work with entrepreneurs, and monitor opportunities to further community initiatives.

The community development aspect is not limited to economic development and growth.  She will work with town departments to promote Abingdon as a "destination to live, work, and play” by sharing and promoting community and business events.  With the release of the Community Engagement Survey from the town, Triplett will review the results and plan action items for her position as well as find ways to address items of concern.

            “Tonya’s past experience in our Tourism Department has equipped her with excellent hospitality skills and has earned her tremendous respect among our residents, visitors and our business community,” said Town Manager Greg Kelly. “I am confident that she will do an exceptional job in taking care of the needs of our existing businesses and in luring new businesses to locate in Abingdon.”

Triplett assumes this position with sixteen (16) years of local government experience. She served as the Town Clerk and Events Coordinator for the Town of Damascus for eight years; Sales Manager and Director of Visitors Services for the Abingdon Convention and Visitors Bureau for seven years; and recently served as the Deputy Clerk for the Town of Abingdon for eighteen months. Triplett holds a Bachelor in Business Administration from King University. She is a native of Sparta, North Carolina but has lived most her life in Damascus, Virginia.

To contact Tonya Triplett, Community Development Coordinator, you can email her at ttriplett@abingdon-va.gov, call 276-698-1898, or visit her at the Abingdon Convention and Visitors Bureau, 335 Cummings Street, on the 3^rd floor. 

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