Responsible planning has countless benefits. By utilizing planning measures to preserve green space, localities increase their visibility and attractiveness to new residents, business owners, and tourists.

As communities focus on bringing in new jobs, attention also needs to be given to where people will live and what can be done to maintain or improve the quality of life. This can be accomplished with a focus on private residential planning and public use planning.

By focusing on the design of neighborhoods that include the use of quality initiatives and neighborhood parks and trails, residential areas become much more attractive and community oriented. The public can benefit from these same planning measures with greenways, public parks, and preserving green space.

At A&A, theses goals are kept in mind while we focus on a much closer target as well. Project Manager Chris Schooley said, "One of the points we try to make with localities is that A&A wants these projects to happen as much as they do. Our employees will be able to benefit from these types of projects, like the Green Circle in Winchester or the Radford Riverway. We want everyone who works at A&A to enjoy where they live, and this is an opportunity for us to use our expertise as trail and park planners to improve the communities we live in."

Localities can also benefit from responsible planning. As communities become attractive places to live, new business owners may be drawn into that area. Additionally, tourists are drawn to outdoor attractions, spending money in local businesses, paying local taxes, and perhaps overnight lodging as well.

Kelly Henshaw, A&A Project Engineer, was eager to take her seat on the ESOP Advisory Committee when she was elected earlier this year. As an employee based in a branch office, Kelly brings a unique perspective to the committee.

"I hope to bring some insight on what it’s like in the branch offices. Having worked in both Blacksburg and Middletown, I have some knowledge on how things work differently in each office."

Kelly hopes to use her position to enable the company to benefit from improvements made in one office being shared at all A&A locations. Despite having to participate in the committee meetings by phone, Kelly hopes that she can influence the branches and main office to continuously work closely.

Her position on the ESOP Advisory Committee helped Kelly realize that all of A&A’s employee owners have the opportunity to make a difference within the company. She looks forward to teaching her fellow employee-owners how they can make a difference and have their voices heard.