PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY (WSLS 10) - Plans for a new Runk and Pratt senior living facility in Pittsylvania County were announced on Wednesday.
The new facility will be located near the town of Hurt around an existing golf course. It's expected to create 60 new jobs and generate $6 million in investments over the next five years.
Pittsylvania County worked closely with the town and the Virginia Tobacco Commission to secure this project. The Virginia Tobacco Commission has qualified $155,000 towards the project which will be used for critical site development needs.
Senator Frank Ruff, Vice-Chairman of the Tobacco Commission said, "We are indeed fortunate to have a well-established and respected company to invest in the Hurt region. Their success has been based on quality service. We look forward to Runk and Pratt serving the area."
"I am thrilled to welcome Runk & Pratt to our community, Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jessie Barksdale stated. "Their facility will not only create needed jobs, but will also address a widespread need for citizens that reside in the northern portion of the county. This project is a great example of what can be accomplished when a local government and its citizens work together towards a common goal."
Runk and Pratt is a company that currently has 450 licensed beds between four locations in the Central Virginia area.
Brian and Vickie Runk, owners of Runk and Pratt, stated "We are proud to be a new member of Pittsylvania County, and we are also honored and humbled to have been approached by the County and the seniors that make up this great community. After looking at the demographics of Altavista, Hurt, Gretna and Chatham from a regional approach, the decision to bring senior services to this area and create jobs became a very easy decision to make. We look forward to creating an active lifestyle community that allows the residents the option to stay in their community."