Build Sports Med Program - Established Market Need - VA/NC Border

The Community

South of Maysville is the northern terminus of Daniel Boone National Forest includes more than 660,000 acres of mostly rugged terrain with steep forested ridges, narrow ravines and more than 3,400 miles of sandstone cliffs. Over six hundred miles of trails provide a quiet escape to remote places for hikers and horseback riders with winding rivers and gentle streams. The 269-mile Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail extends the entire length of the Daniel Boone National Forest.

Located along the southern border of Virginia, Martinsville is within an hour’s drive of Roanoke, Greensboro, NC, High Point, NC, and Winston-Salem, NC. A thirty minute drive from the southern border of Henry County, the Piedmont Triad International Airport, located in Greensboro, makes air travel convenient. In addition to this major commercial airport, Martinsville and Henry County also offers a regional executive airport, Blue Ridge Regional Airport. 

The community is home to two public schools systems: the Martinsville City School District and Henry County Public School System, as well as Carlisle School, a private day school offering preschool through 12^th grade with an international boarding program.  Patrick Henry Community College offers more than sixty fields of study for transfer and workforce development, while New College Institute offers bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees and a variety of teacher endorsement and certificate programs through partner institutions like Radford University and Virginia Commonwealth University. 

Martinsville and Henry County is passionate about the arts. For over fifty years, the award-winning Piedmont Arts Association has brought visual arts, performing arts and arts education to the community through thought-provoking exhibitions by international, national and regional artists across seven galleries, concerts, plays, children’s performances and a full schedule of art classes for all ages. 

Recreation

Home to Fairy Stone State Park, Philpott Lake, and the Smith River, Martinsville and Henry County offers numerous recreational opportunities, including boating, swimming, picnicking, hiking, biking, hunting, fishing and wildlife observation. Fly fishermen and kayakers flock to the cool waters of the Smith River, this network includes a scenic blueway with 10 river access points and more than 20 miles of greenway, and is renowned for its native brown trout. The Smith River Sports Complex is a ninety acre multi-use sports complex composed of grass and synthetic fields for football, soccer, field hockey and other sports, as well as a driving range, water slide, playground, walking and hiking trails, access point to the Smith River and much more.           

Martinsville is home to Nascar’s oldest and shortest track, the legendary Martinsville Speedway. Because of the track’s small size, tight corners and unique shape - often described as a paperclip - Martinsville Speedway offers some of the most exciting racing in the sport. Combining challenging golf with breathtaking scenery, the famed Highland Course at nearby Primland Resort has been ranked the #1 public course in Virginia by Golf Digest and one of the best courses to play by Golfweek. The Blue Ridge Mountains provide the backdrop for the famous Blue Ridge Parkway and offers outdoor opportunities including fishing, hiking, cycling, and camping. 

Martinsville is home to one of Virginia’s most famous festivals, the Rooster Walk. The multi-day musical event is a favorite with families and music lovers alike, offering food, arts and crafts, children’s activities, camping, craft beer and wine, disc golf, more than forty bands and guided float trips on the Smith River.