POLITICS
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McEachin to address Dems’ Blue Moon Bash
Beaverdam Wine Festival to be held Saturday PAGE
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Vol. 2 No. 38 | Richmond Suburban News | April 5, 2017
Town mulls incentives for businesses By Mollie Hargrove Reporter
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SHLAND — The old Chinese buffet behind the truck stop along U.S. 54, right off Interstate 95, is being demolished and turned into a Hilton Hotel. The Hotel Incentive Program had an immediate impact on the Town of Ashland,” Mayor James Foley said. The Economic Development Authority of the Town of Ashland (EDA) constructed a similar plan for restaurants in December of 2016.
Ashland’s desire to improve economic viability and appearance of properties around the I-95 interchange inspired the new incentive program. There is an increased cost associated with development of some properties in this area, so the EDA plans to offer a rebate of 50% of meal taxes for the restaurant to be paid to Ashland. Acceptance into the incentive program consists of demolishing and rebuilding a new restaurant in the Hospitality Zone around the I-95 interchange, stretching from I-95 to Washington Highway, excluding some areas. The new restaurant is required to gen-
erate a minimum of $100,000, capped at $550,000, to receive the rebate. The program was inspired by the success of the Hotel Incentive Program, which is similar in structure. New hotels are already in the process of review and construction in the Hospitality Zone. The new restaurant incentive has already caught the eye of developers and is expected to be successful, according to Foley, noting the success of the hotel incentive program. Successful applicants are expected to assist with increased revenue for Ashland.
Ashland Musical Variety Show
Town of Ashland hires new director of finance By Logan Barry for The Hanover Local ASHLAND – Former Ashland Planning Commissioner Felix Stevens has agreed to fill the finance director’s position that was vacated when Josh Farrar became town manager. He brings to the job a wealth of local government experience in the department he will oversee. “I was familiar with Felix’s roles with Hanover County and had always had outstanding interactions with him. He was
also recognized for that commitment to excellence in his work and community by the Treasurer’s Association of Virginia in 2013,” said Farrar. Before taking his seat on the STEVENS Ashland Planning Commission, Stevens worked for 12 years with the Hanover County Treasurer’s Office,
with his last role serving as the deputy treasurer for collections. He sat on the Planning Commission for about seven years before accepting the town’s finance director office. Responsible for supervising Ashland’s finances and its reporting, Farrar said Stevens will receive a salary of $73,634. Farrar made the final decision in his hiring. “[He] performed very well during the interview process and it was clear that he had done his homework and was committed to the position and town,” Farrar said. see DIRECTOR, pg. 4
th 1 1 No ticket y a M ! e t a D e purchase at h t e v Sa r a gate. l y E ! s t e Tick e s a lub’s 35th Annual C y h r a c t o r Pu er R 496437-01
Han
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SPICED
P & SUDS FEAST M I R H S
ic Dance! Fun!
Sandbar Mus
Benefiting Deserving Youth and Charitable Endeavors
Nick Liberante for The Hanover Local
Jerry and Rosie Shalf sing “Easter Parade” in an opening number for the Ashland Musical Variety Show’s “Ashland Loves a Parade,” which was presented Thursday through Saturday at the Blackwell Auditorium at Randolph-Macon College. The every other year event showcases Hanover County talent. For more photos, turn to page 8.
Thursday, May 11 4:30pm - 8pm
Buy tickets at Union First Market Banks in Hanover County • www.hanoverrotary.org 804-550-3098 Bruce Perretz