Albemarle EDA to approve Project Julius, consider Project Olympian in closed session

What is Project Olympian? The Albemarle County Economic Development Authority will discuss this potential public-private partnership in a closed session at the end of their meeting Tuesday.

But before then, they’ll begin the meeting in open session at 4 p.m. They meet in the county office building at 401 McIntire Road in Room 246. (meeting info) (agenda)

Under new business, they will first discuss a match for a grant project through the GO Virginia Talent Pathways Initiative program. The Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission is within Region 9, in addition to other counties to the north including Culpeper and Fauquier. 

In March, the EDA agreed to provide a $300,000 match for a program called the Charlottesville Biotech Accelerator. Is that the same as the “BioBridge: Development Talent to Tomorrow’s Breakthroughs?” The latter is what’s listed on the agenda for a grant match. 

Next will be the approval of a grant agreement with Home Depot which had been negotiated under the code name Project Julius. Home Depot will get $750,000 in real property tax rebates in exchange for completing their new store by December 24, 2024. Take a look at the details in my story from when the Board of Supervisors gave their approval. 

There will be updates from staff including from Emily Kilroy. Kilroy has been serving as the interim leader of the office but will now be the permanent economic development director. I’ll have more on that in the next regular newsletter. 

“The project and this grant promote the economic development, improvement, and increased vitality of the Rio29 corridor and are consistent with several County plans and policies, including Project ENABLE, the Comprehensive Plan, the Places29 Master Plan, and the Rio29 Small Area Plan,” reads the Home Depot resolution. (the 17-page agreement)

Before the closed session, the EDA will move to Room 241. They have discussed Project Olympian twice this summer. So, what’s your guess? 

Before you go: The time to write and research of this article is covered by paid subscribers to Charlottesville Community Engagement. In fact, this particular installment is from the September 23, 2024 Week Ahead edition of the newsletter.