Augusta County Economic Development & Tourism Annual Report FY/CY2022

F Y/C Y2022 R EP O RT

AUGUSTA COUNTY

OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & TOURISM

THE SHENANDOAH VALLE Y OF VIRGINIA

augustav abusines s.com | v isitaugustacount y.com

VIRGINIA

VIRGINIA

VIRGINIA

#1 TOP STATE BUSINESS CLIMATE in 2022

AMERICA’S TOP STATE FOR BUSINESS

#1 BEST BUSINESS CLIMATE and #1 TECH TALENT PIPELINE

(Site Selection Magazine)

in 2021

in 2021

(CNBC)

(Business Facilities)

STAUNTON-AUGUSTA-WAYNESBORO MSA

TOP FIVE BEST PLACE TO WORK IN MANUFACTURING - 2022 (SmartAsset)

2

AUGUSTA COUNT Y OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & TOURISM

George Washington National Forest Mt Solon West Augusta

Mt Sidney

Weyers Cave Grottoes

11

Churchville

629 Deerfield

250

42

42 Buffalo Gap

254

81

Verona

250

262

Staunton

42

254

340

Fishersville

252

Craigsville Middlebrook

252

11 81

340

64

Stuarts Draft

Shenandoah National Park

250

Waynesboro

Greenville

11

Sherando George Washington National Forest

The Office of Economic Development and Tourism exists to cultivate a diverse and vibrant economy that offers a broad range of job opportunities to the citizens of Augusta County and the Shenandoah Valley.

We focus on three main areas: business attraction, existing business retention, and business start-up support, in addition to marketing the community we are proud to call home. We enhance labor resources and strengthen infrastructure/site readiness while promoting a quality of life that embraces our traditions, preserves the environment, and effectively manages resources.

FY/CY2022 REPORT

3

Augusta County Facts and Figures 2022 LICENSES + PERMITS BUSINESS LICENSES

4,788 ACTIVE BUSINESS LICENSES4

524

INDUSTRIAL + COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION PERMITS

76.8

$

NEW BUSINESS LICENSES4

MILLION VALUE OF PERMITS4

128

PERMITS ISSUED4

WORKFORCE WITHIN 5 45 MINUTES

245,868

2.6%

UNEMPLOYMENT RATE3

AV E R A G E A N N UA L WA G E (Q1 & Q2 2022)1

51,482

$ 4

11.93

%

INCREASE SINCE 20201

58.7%

LABOR FORCE PARTICIPATION RATE1

78.9%

PRIME-AGE (25-54) LABOR FORCE PARTICIPATION RATE1 AUGUSTA COUNT Y OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & TOURISM

L ARGEST E M P L OY M E N T S EC T O R S 1 BUSINESSES

BY SIZE3

Manufacturing (21.2% OF WORKFORCE)

Health Care and Social Assistance 0-9 EMPLOYEES

78%

Transportation and Warehousing

10-49 EMPLOYEES

19%

50-249 EMPLOYEES

3%

Educational Services

250+ EMPLOYEES

1%

Construction

T O TA L P O P U L AT I O N 6

COST OF LIVING 1

7.99%

LESS THAN U.S. AVERAGE

24.19

%

LESS THAN VIRGINIA AVERAGE

77,487 5%

INCREASE SINCE 2012

9.3%

PROJECTED INCREASE BY 20402

IN FR AS TRU C TU R E SU PP O R T Received $20.7M GRANT for universal coverage through Virginia Telecommunication Initiative

FY/CY2022 REPORT

Sources: 1. Chmura’s JobsEQ® 2. Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service 3. Virginia Employment Commission 4. County of Augusta 5. EMSI, 2021 6. Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission

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Announcements J U N E 202 1 – D ECEM B ER 2022

CAVA selects Augusta County for new processing and packaging operation This facility will be located in Mill Place Commerce Park and will produce the company’s signature dips and spreads for distribution to its Mediterranean fast-casual restaurants.

52

Courtesy of CAVA

NEW JOBS

OVER

30 MILLION

$

INVESTMENT

55,000+

SCAN HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT THIS PROJECT

SQUARE FEET

6

AUGUSTA COUNT Y OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & TOURISM

1,000,000+

shutterstock.com

SQUARE FEET

SCAN HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT THIS PROJECT

500

NEW JOBS

Amazon announces new distribution facility coming to Fishersville This facility is responsible for picking, packing, and shipping bulky or larger-sized customer items such as patio furniture, outdoor equipment, or rugs.

FY/CY2022 REPORT

7

Shenandoah Valley Airport breaks ground on new hangars These hangars are an important first step to growing the Shenandoah Valley Airport’s 58-acre Aviation Technology Park. This project is supported by a GO Virginia grant and an Economic Development Administration grant.

28,000+ TOTAL SQUARE FEET

5.4 MILLION $

INVESTMENT

8

SCAN HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT THIS PROJECT

AUGUSTA COUNT Y OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & TOURISM

Workforce Development

Virginia Economic Developers Association Community Economic Development Award 2022

3

COHORTS

GET PAID TO TRAIN • GET PAID TO INTERVIEW GET PAID TO BELONG

59

GRADUATES

15

PARTICIPATING COMPANIES

SCAN HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT THIS WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

Blue Ridge Community College launched Job Starter to aid area talent issues This award-winning program provides paid training to develop the skills and knowledge needed to be successful starting a job in advanced manufacturing.

FY/CY2022 REPORT

9

Mill Place Commerce Park

TIER 4 CERTIFIED SITE VIRGINIA BUSINESS READY SITES PROGRAM

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 180 acres remain available for development.

Replaced front entrance sign

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AUGUSTA COUNT Y OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & TOURISM

CAVA breaks ground O C TO B ER 2022 Construction began in Mill Place for CAVA’s upcoming food processing and packaging operation

FY/CY2022 REPORT

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SHENANDOAH VALLE Y PARTNERSHIP

Marketing Initiatives and Outreach

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.

THIS

BAC KPA

CK BEL

ONG S

n

Conducted workforce needs interviews with 11 manufacturers

n

Completed 8 marketing missions

n

Broadcasted four site selectorfocused how-to shows (two highlighted below) and hosted 17 podcasts highlighting community partners and assets

TO:

_____ ________ ________ ________

SCAN HERE TO WATCH THE VIRTUAL COOKING SHOW BACK TO SCHOOL EDITION

SCAN HERE TO WATCH THE VIRTUAL FLOWER SHOW FEATURING HARMONY HARVEST FARM

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Living a Better Life Through Flowers

AUGUSTA COUNT Y OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & TOURISM

---------- Forwarded message --------From: Augusta County Economic Development <jhensley@co.augusta.va.us> Date: Thu, Sep 15, 2022 at 10:30 AM Subject: The Current View in September To: <gretchen@queencitycreative.com>

September 2022

Summer may be winding down, but things are just warming up.

Read on for three updates we’re highlighting this month.

Award winning results for Augusta County breweries at the Virginia Craft Brewer’s Guild - silver medals for both Stable Craft Brewing and Skipping Rock! This fall is the perfect time to plan some fun on the Shenandoah Beerwerks Trail (pro tip: sign up for the newsletter for fun ideas in the area throughout the year).

The Virginia Workforce Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center (VWIEC) is offering up to $3K in business incubator grants, education, networking, mentoring, and coaching. Click here for eligibility criteria and to apply.

Blue Mountain Site 194 ACRES

Valley Church Rd and Airport Rd, Weyers Cave, VA 24486 38.2707720, -78.9048983 Located just a short drive to I-81 and right by the region’s commercial airport, the site is ideal for a large project seeking expansive, contiguous acreage. The entire site is in agricultural use and features gently rolling topography and convenient access.

Subdividable: Yes Purchase price: $44,000 per acre Current zoning: General Industrial

DISTANCE TO

Interstate: 3.8 miles to I-81 4-lane highway: 8.4 miles to VA Highway 257 Shenandoah Valley Airport: 0.6 miles, 1 minute Ports: Inland Port of Virginia: 77.8 miles, 1 hour 9 minutes;

Martin Site 387 ACRES

229 Patton Farm Rd, Stuarts Draft, VA 24477 38.0242396, -78.9923122

Port of Virginia: 210.2 miles, 3 hours

UTILITIES

Consisting of flat farmland planned for industrial use, the Electric: Dominion Energy; 3 phase; adjacent to site Rebekah Castle site is in close proximity to both I-81 Water: and I-64, with rail Augusta County Service Authority; 8”; 500 ft. from site Director of Economic Development & Marketing access along more than 100 acres of the site.

LargeCounty utilityService Authority; 8”; adjacent to site 540-245-5619 Sewer: Augusta capacities are available, including natural gas. Neighbors rebekah@augustavabusiness.com Fiber/Broadband: Verizon; adjacent to site include McKee Foods and Target Distribution, with Hershey Chocolate of Virginia nearby.

Subdividable: Yes Purchase price: $40,000-$60,000 per acre depending on placement and overall lot size

Shenandoah Community Capital Fund (SCCF) Business Bootcamp

#toolbox Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) Microbusiness Marketing Grant

Do you have a great business idea you need help fleshing out? SCCF is hosting another 8-week long virtual Business Bootcamp from September 28 – November 23. Fill out an interest form, and SCCF will contact you within five business days. Register by September 26.

Virginia Tourism Corporation is offering a grant for small tourism-related businesses promoting other businesses during the shoulder season. Awardees will be reimbursed for marketing expenses.

Applications are due on September 20, 2022, and instructions can be found here.

Current zoning: General Industrial - 44 acres; General Agriculture - 343 acres

Comprehensive Plan Zoning: General Industrial Rail: Norfolk Southern Class I line adjacent to site

DISTANCE TO

Interstate: 5.2 miles to I-64 4-lane highway: 1.6 miles to U.S. Highway 340 Shenandoah Valley Airport: 29.2 miles, 30 minutes Ports: Inland Port of Virginia: 99.9 miles, 1 hour 28 minutes; Port of Virginia: 190.9 miles, 2 hours 45 minutes

UTILITIES

Electric: Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative; 25 kV, 3 phase; adjacent to site Natural Gas: Columbia Gas of Virginia; 6”; adjacent to site Rebekah Castle Director of Economic Development & Marketing 540-245-5619 rebekah@augustavabusiness.com

Note: TC Energy gas transmission line is also available to be tapped for larger gas users

Water: Augusta County Service Authority; 12”; adjacent to site Sewer: Augusta County Service Authority; 12”; adjacent to site Fiber/Broadband: SEGRA; adjacent to site

DESIGNED SITES AND BUILDINGS PORTFOLIOS

REDESIGNED MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

Augusta County Economic Development & Tourism | 540.245.5619 www.AugustaVABusiness.com | www.VisitAugustaCounty.com

AUGUSTA COUNT Y ECONOMIC DE VELOPMENT & TOURISM

It’s not too late for small businesses to connect with technical expertise in the areas of e-commerce and marketing, finance, and operational efficiencies.

Entrepreneurs, apply here for this Small Business Development Center program.

We're here. Ready to help.

Increased average open rate by 10%

Augusta County | 18 Government Center Lane, Verona, VA 24482 Unsubscribe gretchen@queencitycreative.com Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by jhensley@co.augusta.va.us powered by

AVERAGE OPEN RATE

50%

Theresa E. Rollison <theresa@queencitycreative.com> To: Gretchen Long <gretchen@queencitycreative.com>

FY/CY2022 REPORT

beautiful—thank you!

---------------------------------------------Theresa Rollison / Senior Designer theresa@queencitycreative.com /917-626-8639 Queen City Creative 29 East Beverley Street, 2nd Floor Staunton, VA 24401 queencitycreative.com

NUMBER OF NEWSLETTERS

Try email marketing for free today!

9

13

Marketing Initiatives and Outreach PEOPLE OF AUGUSTA 2022

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.

“We get to take that drop of milk that comes from grass in Augusta County, and we turn it into cheese that lands on an Augusta County table. We can literally taste the land we live on. Is there anything more radical, more beautiful?“ — LOUELL A HILL BALLERINO CRE AMERY

“We [at Blue Ridge Community College] train individuals to leave with a broad set of skills, to become a jack of all trades…Robotics, electronics, mechanical—they leave us with a full toolbox to go anywhere.”

— MAT T GOSS BLUE RIDGE COMMUNIT Y COLLEGE

“I love the ability to be creative every day. We never do the same thing twice.

I’m not a production person. Here, we’re in the business of invention.”

— MIKE SHELTON BLUE RIDGE MACHINE WORKS

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Tourism 2021 TOURISM IMPACT NUMBERS EXPENDITURES:

$123,443,497 PAYROLL/LABOR INCOME:

$28,960,879 EMPLOYMENT:

1,062

STATE TAX RECEIPTS:

$3,255,423

LOCAL TAX RECEIPTS:

$4,693,476

Completed new photography series

AUGUSTA COUNTY TOURISM GRANT PROGRAM

Awarded

25,000

$

to five projects

Visitor Destination Video CFY/CY2022 O M I N REPORT G IN 2023

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Received Honorable Mention from North American Travel Journalists Association

Published the Official Guide to Augusta County 16

The guide is a dual purpose piece introducing economic development prospects to the quality of life in our region while also meeting the needs of a tourism visitors guide. Answers the questions: Why visit? and Why stay?

AUGUSTA COUNT Y OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & TOURISM

FY/CY2022 REPORT

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Regional Tourism Efforts SHENANDOAH B EERWERKS TR AIL n

Over 7,400 passports redeemed (Participants from 48 states and 5 foreign countries)

n

Launched new t-shirt colors for 2021 and 2022

n

Recorded over 52,000 brewery visits

n

Which Brewery is Best for you? campaign > 2,074,219 Impressions > 770,279 People Reached >

35,831 Click Throughs to Site

> 14,060 Quiz Completions

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AUGUSTA COUNT Y OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & TOURISM

SHENANDOAH VALLE Y TOURISM PARTNERSHIP

GOOGLE SEARCH CAMPAIGN RECEIVED A

7.71%

4.1x

THE INDUSTRY AVERAGE RATE

CLICK-THROUGH RATE

n

Launched four seasonal campaigns

n

Campaigns resulted in 4.48M impressions and 111,210 clicks

FY/CY2022 REPORT

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MONTREAL

TORONTO MILWAUKEE

BOSTON

DETROIT

NEW YORK PITTSBURGH

CHICAGO

WASHINGTON, D.C.

CINCINNATI

AUGUSTA COUNTY VIRGINIA

ST. LOUIS

PHILADELPHIA

AUGUSTA COUNTY

NASHVILLE

RICHMOND

CHARLOTTE

MEMPHIS ATLANTA

Mid-Atlantic location in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley where I-81 and I-64 converge

500 miles 800 kilometers NEW ORLEANS

JACKSONVILLE 750 miles 1200 kilometers

HIGHER EDUCATION

TRAVEL & TRANSPORTATION

TARGET SECTORS

25,000 annual graduates from 19 regional colleges and universities

I-81 and I-64 CSX Railroad Norfolk Southern Railroad Shenandoah Valley Railroad Buckingham Branch Railroad Amtrak Shenandoah Valley Airport Eagle’s Nest Airport

Advanced Manufacturing Food Processing Life Sciences Value-added Agriculture and Forestry

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

Richard Halterman, Chair Leah Thomas, Vice-Chair Mark Frazier Lyle Moffett B. Randolph Roller Monica Rutledge Brett Snyder

Gerald Garber, Chair G.L. “Butch” Wells, Vice-Chair Pam Carter Steve Morelli Scott Seaton Michael Shull Jeffrey Slaven

18 Government Center Lane P.O. Box 590 Verona, VA 24482 540-245-5619

STAFF Rebekah Castle, Director of Economic Development & Marketing Julia Hensley, Project Manager Tim Fitzgerald, County Administrator Jennifer Whetzel, Deputy County Administrator

staff@augustaVAbusiness.com augustaVAbusiness.com visitaugustacounty.com augusta-startup.com