C Y2020/F Y202 1 R EP O RT
AUGUSTA COUNTY
OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & TOURISM augustav abusines s.com | v isitaugustacount y.com
THE SHENANDOAH VALLE Y OF VIRGINIA
Colliers International Recognizes the Shenandoah Valley /I-81 Corridor among “10 Emerging Industrial Markets to Watch” in 2021
T
he Office of Economic Development and Tourism provides resources to support a diverse and thriving economy offering a broad range of career opportunities to the residents of Augusta County and the Shenandoah Valley.
We focus on three main areas: business attraction, existing business retention, and business start-up support. We also market the community we are proud to call home, enhance labor resources, strengthen infrastructure/site readiness and promote a strong quality of life. In 2020, business retention became imperative, and our office worked with businesses to navigate grant and financial assistance, health and safety requirements, and constantly changing business regulations. Our business community showed strength and resilience as it persevered and grew through unprecedented times. Our work will continue to support projects and initiatives to strengthen Augusta County‘s economy and provide quality job opportunities to the area’s residents.
George Washington National Forest Mt Solon West Augusta
M
Churchville
629 Deerfield
250
42
42
Verona
250
Buffalo Gap
254
262
Staunton
42 252
Photo by Zak Suhar | @zaksuhar
Craigsville
2
Middlebrook
252
11 81
340
Stua Dra
Greenville
11
George Washi National For
AUGUSTA COUNT Y OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & TOURISM
616
BUSINESS LICENSES ISSUED
EMPLOYMENT WITHIN 45 MINUTES
262,194
970
BUILDING PERMITS ISSUED
VALUE:
101,090,399
$
AS OF MARCH 2021
2
Mt Sidney
Weyers Cave Grottoes
11 81
a
n
254
340
Fishersville 64
arts aft
Shenandoah National Park
250
PLACE TO WORK TOP BEST IN MANUFACTURING TEN
STAUNTON-AUGUSTA-WAYNESBORO MSA (SmartAsset)
Waynesboro
Sherando ington rest
CY2020/FY2021 REPORT
3
COVID-19 SUPPORT AND RECOVERY Awarded 38 Grants to Augusta County Small Businesses and Non-Profits for a total of $310,000 n Partnered with Shenandoah Community Capital Fund and the Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge
4
AUGUSTA COUNT Y OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & TOURISM
R E C OV E RY TA S K F O R C E
• Disbursed 200 Free PPE Kits to SAW businesses and non-profits • Released Shenandoah Valley Guide to Re-Opening Businesses • Conducted Peer-to-Peer Networking sessions
SAW MSA Recovery Task Force Formed PA R T N E R S: n SAW Economic Development and Tourism Departments n Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission n Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge n Greater Augusta Regional Chamber of Commerce n Shenandoah Valley Partnership n Shenandoah Valley Small Business Development Center n Shenandoah Community Capital Fund n Staunton Downtown Development Association n United Way of Staunton, Augusta County & Waynesboro
CY2020/FY2021 REPORT
5
EXPLORE SAW In an effort to support the local tourism and hospitality industry during COVID-19 closures and restrictions, Greater Augusta Regional Tourism (GART) received a $50,000 GO Virginia grant to run a three-phased outreach approach to locals and visitors focused on Staunton, Augusta County and Waynesboro (SAW).
Launched
social media accounts
Launched
exploresaw.com
Ran digital marketing campaign
6
Developed
video series
Designed virtual passport program
SAW Savings Pass
7
INVESTMENT AND JOBS JANUARY 1, 2020 – MAY 30, 2021
T H E H E RS H E Y CO M PA N Y A N N O U N C E S E X PA NSI O N
90,000 SQUARE FEET ADDED
110
NEW JOBS Operated in Augusta County for more than
30
YEARS
135 million
$
INVESTMENT
8
AUGUSTA COUNT Y OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & TOURISM
BLOOMAKER INCREASES WA R E H O US E S PAC E
ADDITIONAL
22,000
SQUARE FEET AMARYLLIS BULB PRODUCTION NOW IN-HOUSE
CY2020/FY2021 REPORT
9
INVESTMENT AND JOBS JANUARY 1, 2020 – MAY 30, 2021
T H E P L A N T CO M PA N Y BREAKS GROUND
A controlled environment greenhouse for the sustainable production of tropical indoor foliage plants
22
NEW JOBS
10
10.5 million $
INVESTMENT
AUGUSTA COUNT Y OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & TOURISM
SMALL BUSINESS SUPPORT
AUGUSTA
ECO NOM IC DEV ELO PME NT
Small Business. Big Plans.
ESS START, WE’RE HERE TO HELP YOUR BUSIN COUNTY. RELOCATE, OR GROW IN AUGUSTA
Augusta County works hard to reduce the uncertainty and red tape for new and existing businesses. Our services are free and confidential.
OUR SERVICES ■ Company location or relocation ■ Company start-up ■ Company expansion ■ Data research ■ Connec tions to workforce, tacts government, and community con
SMALL BUSINESS LOANS
from plan Let us help you boost your idea small to reality with an Augusta County up to $20,000 le availab Loans s loan. busines business small Our with terms of 1-5 years. creative loans can be packaged with other loans. bank nal financing or traditio
Supported regional grants: n Startup Shenandoah Valley (Shenandoah Community Capital Fund) n Small Business Resiliency Team Navigators (Small Business Development Center)
The Augusta County Economic Development Authority revamped Small Business Loan Fund: n Loans available up to $20,000
TO QUALIFY FOR THE LOANS... E LOCATE YOUR CURRENT OR FUTUR BUSINESS IN AUGUSTA COUNTY
ent Center Check with Augusta County Governm zoning, building, departments for business license, and more. tion informa tax ring, planning, enginee
COMPLETE BUSINESS PLAN ment Work with the Small Business Develop nity Capital Center or the Shenandoah Commu Fund to prepare a solid business plan.
This program is administered through a partnership with the Shenandoah Community Capital Fund.
REQUEST LOAN FUND APPLICATION ic Development Contac t the Augusta County Econom Capital Fund to learn Office or Shenandoah Community tion program. more about the loan fund applica
SCA N
»
TO SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSL ETTER
AUGUSTA
EC ON OM IC DE VE LO PM EN T
540-245-5619
staff@ AugustaVABus iness.com AugustaVABusine ss.com
f
NO-FEE SMALL BUSINESS CONSUL TING
Take advantage of no-fee small busines s consulting ser vice s by connec ting with a Small Business Dev elopment Center Advisor at the Augusta County Government Center. The Shenandoah Val ley SBDC’s satellite office is con veniently located at our offices in Verona and open to experience d owners and aspiring entrepren eur s.
SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CEN TER
“We were a hel ped us la encour age o
valleysbdc.org 540 -568 -322 7 Call for appointmen ts
CY2020/FY2021 REPORT
AUGUST AUGUST P.O. BOX VERONA
—Er ic Walter,
11
SHENANDOAH VALLE Y PARTNERSHIP
MARKETING MISSIONS AND OUTREACH
81
The Shenandoah Valley Partnership (SVP) works with public and private partners at the local, regional, and state level to develop an economic climate for business success throughout the Shenandoah Valley. As its second largest public investor, Augusta County enjoys a strong partnership with SVP.
64
n Completed 60-second site tour video series n Hosted first-ever virtual Familiarization Tour, CEO Roundtable, Podcasts, Lunch and Learn, and Food and Beverage Manufacturingfocused Cooking Classes n Received two GO Virginia grants: Shenandoah Valley Sites Enhancement and Business Scale-Up n Hosted 14 Site Selectors on two familiarization tours 12
Launched
shenandoahvalleyliving.com
AUGUSTA COUNT Y OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & TOURISM
New Tourism Instagram page
@visitaugustava
augustavabusiness.com
NUMBER OF NEWSLETTERS
22
AVERAGE OPEN RATE
40%
CY2020/FY2021 REPORT
AUGUSTA COUNT Y ECONOMIC DE VELOPMENT & TOURISM
Refreshed
PUBLISHED MONTHLY ELECTRONIC NEWSLETTER – THE CURRENT VIEW
13
MILL PLACE COMMERCE PARK Located ½ mile from interstate 81 at exit 227, Mill Place Commerce Park is owned by Augusta County and located in Verona, Virginia. The 371-acre Park enjoys interstate visibility with backgrounds of forested tracts and ponds. Approximately 190 acres remain available for development.
n Completed covenants update and rezoning to make Mill Place Commerce Park more industrially friendly and project ready.
TIER 4 CERTIFIED SITE VIRGINIA BUSINESS READY SITES PROGRAM
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AUGUSTA COUNT Y OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & TOURISM
BLUE RIDGE MACHINE WORKS OPENS SEPTEMBER 2020
CY2020/FY2021 REPORT
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F O O D A N D B E V E R A G E + M A N U FA C T U R I N G + A G R I C U LT U R E + H E A LT H
RECEIVED HONORABLE MENTION Community Economic Development Award (CEDA) through the Virginia Economic Developers Association.
PEOPLE OF AUGUSTA Debuted in 2019, People of Augusta focuses on Augusta County residents, businesses, or individuals who significantly, creatively and uniquely contribute to our economy. The interview + pictorial series focuses on the local rock stars who make living and working in Augusta amazing. The series provides business prospects a clear picture of living here and serves as a meaningful neighbor-to-neighbor introduction.
“I love my job. I love the mountains. I like to bring the light to the story.”
“Some of the most genuine people I’ve ever met are here. This is the first place I’ve lived where I really do know my neighbors.” 16
A N D W E L L N E S S + W O R K F O R C E S E R V I C E S + L O G I S T I C S + A G R I T O U R I S M + M U S I C A N D C U LT U R E
“I really love the people of Augusta. They helped raise me. It’s the first place I can say I was home.”
“To open something and to receive the support from the entire community, it’s such an amazing feeling.”
“We wanted people to be able to see a little piece of heaven in Augusta County.”
“One of the beautiful things about Augusta County, it has that small town feel. People wanting to help and be involved, encouraging us, always having your back.”
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SHENANDOAH B EERWERKS TR AIL
REGIONAL TOURISM EFFORTS
trailblazers
welcome! n Over 5,500 passports redeemed (Participants from 48 states and 5 foreign countries) n Launched new t-shirt colors for 2020 and 2021 n Launched Trailblazers Campaign n Received Virginia Tourism Corporation grant for $10,000 18
SPRING CAMPAIGN
CURE
SHENANDOAH VALLE Y TOURISM PARTNERSHIP
CAPTION
TYPE
Discover Limitless Adventure
PLACEMENT
Facebook General
with your family! limitless nValley Launched new Discover website at possibilities in our Campaign corner of the world. #VirginiasShenandoahValley shenandoahvalley.org n Completed 3 seasonal 13 digital campaigns n Created 15 guides highlighting Valley assets Spring is another amazing season to enjoy the Shenandoah
CAPTION
Discove
Ad
Spring is an Valley with corner of th
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CY2020/FY2021 REPORT TYPE
CAPTION
PLACEMENT
Valley Facts
Discover Limitless Adventure
AUGUSTA COUNTY VIRGINIA Mid-Atlantic location in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley where I-81 and I-64 converge MONTREAL
EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES 25,000 annual graduates from 19 regional colleges and universities
TRAVEL & TRANSPORTATION I-81 and I-64 CSX Railroad Norfolk Southern Railroad Shenandoah Valley Railroad Buckingham Branch Railroad Amtrak Shenandoah Valley Airport Eagle’s Nest Airport
TORONTO MILWAUKEE
BOSTON
DETROIT
NEW YORK PITTSBURGH
CHICAGO
WASHINGTON, D.C.
CINCINNATI ST. LOUIS
AUGUSTA COUNTY
NASHVILLE
RICHMOND
CHARLOTTE
MEMPHIS ATLANTA
TARGET SECTORS Advanced Manufacturing Food Processing Life Sciences Value-added Agriculture and Forestry
PHILADELPHIA
500 miles 800 kilometers NEW ORLEANS
JACKSONVILLE 750 miles 1200 kilometers
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
Gerald Garber, Chair G.L. “Butch” Wells, Vice-Chair Pam Carter Steve Morelli Scott Seaton Michael Shull Jeffrey Slaven
Richard Halterman, Chair Leah Thomas, Vice-Chair Mark Frazier Lyle Moffett B. Randolph Roller Monica Rutledge
STAFF Rebekah Castle, Director of Economic Development & Marketing Nick Grow, Project Manager Tim Fitzgerald, County Administrator Jennifer Whetzel, Deputy County Administrator
18 Government Center Lane P.O. Box 590 Verona, VA 24482 540-245-5619 staff@augustaVAbusiness.com www.augustaVAbusiness.com www.visitaugustacounty.com www.augusta-startup.com