MEMORIAL
EVENTS
Fallen firefighter’s memorial set today; region mourns loss
SpookieFUN Fest scheduled this weekend at Pole Green Park and Poor Farm Park
PAGE
2
PAGE
7
Vol. 4 No. 6 | Richmond Suburban News | October 17, 2018
Thomas’ EDA report filled with optimism for county By Jim Ridolphi for Ashland-Hanover Local
H
ANOVER — “Everybody who wants a job, for the most part, has a job in Hanover,” Economic Development director Linwood Thomas said during last Wednesday’s meeting of the .Hanover County Board of Supervisors. He was quoting County Administrator Rhu Harris from a State of the County speech delivered earlier in the week. Thomas told supervisors that a 2.6 percent
unemployment rate is good news for those seeking employment, but presents challenges for Hanover businesses seeking qualified employees. “It’s a blessing to have that. From an economic development standpoint, we have to look at a wider net when companies come in and say we need 200 employees. We now have to look out in a 20- to 30-mile radius search as opposed to a 10 or 15,” he said. The low unemployment rate was only a small portion of the good news Thomas delivered that all adds up to positive economic development
environment outlined in his 2017-2018 report. Thomas credited the board for efforts like the strategic rezoning initiative and speculative site selection that have opened more sites for potential businesses. In presenting his annual report, Thomas said the presentation serves as more than just an information tool for local officials and businesses. “We don’t want to use this just as an annual report to stick on a website,” Thomas said. “We want use this as a marketing piece when meeting with site consultants and brokers.”
Thomas said a well-diversified industry base has insulated the county from shortfalls affecting other counties that depend largely on one source like defense spending. “I am proud to announce that this year we grew our business and professional services sector by 6 percent,” Thomas said. “Falling into that category are science and technology industries.” Those industries correlate nicely with the department’s goal to attract well-paying jobs to Hanover that provide residents with competitive see EDA, pg. 4
Clay closing and Gandy rebuild part of long-term plan By Jim Ridolphi for Ashland-Hanover Local
Contributed photos
Dust Cutters and JG&CL are among the bands preforming on the CSX Stage on Nov. 3 during Ashland Train Day.
Bluegrass sounds will fill town on Train Day By Melody Kinser Managing Editor ASHLAND – Bluegrass sounds will bring a unique blend to Ashland Train Day on Saturday, Nov. 3, with three bands taking the CSX Stage. Josh Grigsby & County Line, The Dust Cutters, and The Little Birdies will perform at noon, 1 and 2 p.m.,
respectively. The musical lineup also includes the Hanover Concert Band at 10 and 11 a.m. Jason Call, the reigning Hanover Idol, with the Jason Call Band will highlight the day by showing what made him a winner at 3 p.m. Call also will be joined by Junior Idol Madison Cox. She will perform as
a solo before joining him for a couple of duets. Ashland Train Day will kick off at 10 a.m. and run until 5 p.m. at the Ashland Train Station at 112 N. Railroad Ave. in Ashland. A favorite in the town and Hanover County, as well as surrounding communities, the event is presented by see BANDS, pg. 9
ASHLAND — Last May, a group of consultants presented results from a study conducted regarding Hanover County Public Schools’ facilities and the need for renovation or replacement of some of those aging campuses. The presentation included a list of the 10 facilities in the most need of attention, but prioritizing that list fell to the Hanover County School Board. Board chair Bob Hundley said that process involved community input, consultation with the Hanover County Board of Supervisors, and workshop sessions. At the supervisors insistence, the panel worked to establish a prioritized list, and decide a starting point for the long-term improvement project.
Last year’s Capital improvement Plan (CIP) included plans to build a new school in 2022 and funding was dedicated for that purpose. After that long and detailed process, Hundley confirmed previously reported news that the first step in the process involves the closing of Henry Clay Elementary School and its merger with John M. Gandy Elementary School, a campus identified for replacement. “Our primary goal during the planning retreat was to prioritize our long-term facility needs, which is what we accomplished,” Hundley said. “We unanimously agreed that our first priority is to consolidate Henry Clay and John M. Gandy Elementary schools. This plan involves closing HCES and building a new school on the same campus where JGES is currently located.” see PLAN, pg. 8