Update on Albemarle’s next economic strategic plan, Rivanna Futures

In July, Albemarle County put out a request for qualifications for firms interested in helping develop a new economic development strategy. The new economic development director had an update on Tuesday.

“We were delighted and a little overwhelmed to receive 15 submissions to that,” said Emily Kilroy. “Normally that’s more like four to six.”

Kilroy said the county is reviewing the proposals and going through them which is why there has  not yet been an award. 

A new memorandum of understanding is also being drafted to govern the relationship between the Board of Supervisors and the Economic Development Authority. A work session will be held in December to continue those negotiations. 

Kilroy and other top-level Albemarle staff recently traveled to St. Louis to visit a similar facility to what Albemarle wants to build as part of the Rivanna Futures project. That city successfully kept a National Geospatial Intelligence Agency regional headquarters. (learn more about NGA West)

“And it was really incredible to just see how everyone is really working together to speak into being that St. Louis is the geospatial hub of the world,” Kilroy said. 

Albemarle wants to keep the National Ground Intelligence Center and other defense agencies in the county at Rivanna Station and purchased 462 acres last year to build the Intelligence and National Security Innovation Acceleration Campus. Kilroy said the county is hopeful to lead a delegation of stakeholders to St. Louis to get a first hand look. 

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 25, 2024 edition of the newsletter. To ensure this work can keep going, please consider becoming a paid subscriber or contributing monthly through Patreon.

Kilroy said an organization called the Intelligence and National Security Alliance is holding a one day conference on December 3 at the Boar’s Head. She said this would help raise the profile on Albemarle County’s efforts. (learn more about the conference)