Clifton Forge Council Members Discuss CSX Project, Strategic Plan for Town, and Upcoming Holiday Events
| By Jennifer Bailey
Staff Writer |
Clifton Forge, VA (Nov. 11, 2025)— It was a busy night indeed at the Clifton Forge Town Council meeting this evening. Among the regular monthly business discussed, other notably important items included talks of purchasing the old CSX building and turning it into a hotel — a project that could mean additional income for the town of Clifton Forge.
During tonight's meeting, council was asked to approve the financing and predevelopment stage that would catapult the project to the next phase with the Economic Development Authority (EDA). A public hearing was also held to discuss the matter further and answer questions from the public, though no final decision was made. The entirety of tonight's council meeting was livestreamed on the Journal's Facebook page and is available for viewing 24/7/365.
Amanda McGee from the Roanoke Valley/Alleghany Regional Commission was also present during tonight's meeting and gave a presentation regarding the Strategic Plan for the town of Clifton Forge. "What the goal of the strategic planning process is, it's a short-term planning window identifying specific implementation projects," McGee said Tuesday night. "So actual items that can be put on the ground or see significant progress in the next one to five years. So that's the goal of this process."
Additionally, the town discussed several of the upcoming holiday events happening soon in Clifton Forge, including a few items that were voted on and approved this evening. For example, the annual Tree Lighting event was approved for Saturday, November 22nd at 6:00 p.m. in front of Town Hall, as well as the Christmas parade which will be held on Friday, December 5th at 6:00 p.m. A New Year's event is also in the works for the town and it will include closing off a portion of Ridgeway in a similar fashion as the Fridays in the Forge events over the summer. The Journal expects to have more details of that event in the near future.
Council also discussed Kriskindlmarkt, which will make its annual return on November 21st and 22nd at the Clifton Forge School of the Arts from 10 a.m.—5 p.m.
|  | (l to r) Councilwoman Debbie Laudermilk, Councilman Carl "Shorty" Wolfe, Mayor Jeff Irvine, Vice-Mayor Dale Burdette, and Councilman Benjamin Nicely.
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|  | Town Manager Chuck Unroe gave his manager's comments during tonight's meeting, which can be viewed in their entirety on the Alleghany Journal Facebook page.
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|  | Susan Goings, member of the Clifton Forge Women's Club, gave a detailed description of this year's annual Holiday Homes Tour event to be held in six homes in Alleghany County. The event is scheduled for Dec. 6th and includes a silent auction on both Dec. 5th and 6th.
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