Bland County is located on the border of West Virginia.  The country is positioned on Interstate 77 with the intersection of I-77 and I-81, 13 miles to the south of the county.  Bland County has ready access to the markets of the Great Lakes Region, the Northeast and the Southeast because of its' great location.  Bland is approximately 90 miles west of Roanoke and Richmond is 250 miles east of Bland.

Surrounded by beautiful mountains, Bland County has a variety of annual things going on.  The Bland County Fair, Spring Fall Horse Shows, flea markets, July 4th Celebrations and the Festival of Leaves are just the taste of the activities Bland County has to offer.

Wythe County is located at the intersection of two major interstate highways, I-81, I-77, and future I-74.  Much of the county's 460 miles of land area lies in a beautiful, broad valley bordered by the Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountain ranges.  Wythe County has been known as an agricultural county in the past, however in recent years manufacturing operations have become increasingly important due to the interstate highway and rail transportation network.  Wythe County is a central location for a lot of folks.  Wythe County is 80 miles southwest of Roanoke, 70 miles northeast of Bristol, Virginia and Tennessee, and 300 miles southwest of Washington, D.C.

Wythe County has much to offer.  You'll find a wide variety of activities to participate in year around.  Some of the largest activities include the Concerts in Wither's Park, Relay for Life, numerous flea markets and car shows, Chautauqua Festival in the Park, Lions Club Carnival, Rural Retreat/Wythe County Fair, and lots more.

Geography

Bland County.................369 Sq. Miles

Rural Retreat.....................1 Sq. Mile

Wythe County................460 Sq. Miles

Wytheville.................. 14.28 Sq. Miles

Elevation

2,000 - 4,000

above sea level

Climate

BLAND

Average Temp., Jan. 34º F

Average Temp., July 71º F

Annual Precipitation: 37.5”

Annual Snowfall: 19.8”

Wythe

Average Temp., Jan. 34º F

Average Temp., July 72º F

Annual Precipitation: 36.9”

Annual Snowfall: 18.3”

Crime Rate

Bland County 2007

                     Adults Charged     Juveniles Charged

Murder:                 0                                      0

Manslaughter:     0                                      0

Kidnapping:         0                                      0

Sex Offenses:      2                                      0

Robbery:               1                                      0

Assault:                 6                                      0

Burglary:               3                                      0

Larceny:               12                                     0

Vehicle Theft:       0                                      0

Drug/Narcotics:  24                                     0

DUI:                       28                                      1

Wythe County 2007

                                           Adults Charged          Juveniles Charged

Murder:                                        0                                          0

Manslaughter:                            0                                          0

Kidnapping:                                2                                          0

Sex Offenses:                             7                                          1

Robbery:                                      7                                          0

Assault:                                       57                                         3

Burglary:                                    11                                          0

Larceny:                                     70                                          7

Vehicle Theft:                             0                                           0

Drug/Narcotics:                      153                                          7

DUI:                                            148                                          0

Source: Virginia State Police Crime Statistics 2007

TAXES

REAL PROPERTY (REAL ESTATE)

Bland County: $0.65 per $100 of fair market value

Rural Retreat: $0.21 per $100 of fair market value

Wythe County: $0.43 per $100 of fair market value

Wytheville: $0.16 per $100 of fair market value

AUTOMOBILE & TRUCKS (PERSONAL PROPERTY)

Bland County: $1.60 per $100 of NADA Loan

Rural Retreat: $0.45 per $100 of NADA Loan

Wythe County: $2.08 per $100 of NADA Loan

Wytheville: $0.28 per $100 of NADA Loan

MACHINERY & TOOLS

Bland County: $0.73 per $100 of depreciated capitalized cost

Rural Retreat: $0.45 per $100 of depreciated capitalized cost

Wythe County: $1.50 per $100 of depreciated capitalized cost

Wytheville: $0.28 per $100 of depreciated capitalized cost

MERCHANTS CAPITAL

Bland County: $0.73 per $100 of assessed value

Wythe County: $0.56 per $100 of assessed value

UTILITY TAXES

Bland and Wythe counties tax electricity and natural gas and at rates ranging from 10-20%, with a maximum cap in place.

SALES TAX

Bland and Wythe County

4% State plus 1% Local

MEALS & LODGING

Bland County: Meals: 4% Lodging: 2%

Rural Retreat: Meals: 4% Lodging: 0%

Wythe County: Meals: 4% Lodging: 5%

Wytheville: Meals: 6% Lodging: 6% (Local)