Regional economic development body approves funding for Rivanna Futures

While uncertainty looms about the future of the federal government, Albemarle County is moving ahead with a plan to prepare land it owns around the Rivanna Station military base into a defense and intelligence campus.

On January 16, an economic development body called the GO Virginia Region 9 Council approved the contribution of $613,570 in funds to help Albemarle prepare 172 acres to a higher tier of readiness under the Virginia Business Ready Sites program.

The money will be used to pay for the design of the next step, according to Albemarle Director of Communications and Public Engagement Abbey Stumpf.

Last June, the Board of Supervisors approved a rezoning for a portion of the land it purchased from developer Wendell Wood for $58 million. That brought the property up to Tier 3 and the goal now is to bring it up to Tier 4.

“Site is positioned to support development such that building construction can take place in 12-18 months or less, with all infrastructure improvements in place, or plans for necessary infrastructure improvements completed and approved and deemed deliverable within 12-18 months by a licensed Professional Engineer in the Commonwealth of Virginia,” reads a description of Tier 4 on the VBRS website. “All infrastructure permit issues are identified and quantified.”

GO Virginia Region 9 is made up of all of the localities in the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission as well as those in the Rappahannock Rapidan Regional Commission. According to the draft minutes of the January 16 meeting, the project fits in with the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy’s “Super Regional Strategies.” (read the document)

Goal 3 is to “Designate a Defense Intelligence Industry Corridor” with a sub-goal to “focus on infrastructure investments to ready sites with necessary security precautions.”

“Reviewers noted it meets GO Virginia’s goals of higher-paying jobs, out-of-state investment, transformative projects, and regional collaboration,” the minutes continue. “The applicant has about $25 million in articulated grant potential, but those funds require this work to be done or underway.”

Albemarle is also seeking funds from the Virginia Economic Development Partnership through their Economic Development Access Program. The GO Virginia Region 9 Council approved the funding which will have to be endorsed by the greater GO Virginia Board.

Before you go: This article was originally sent out as part of the Charlottesville Community Engagement newsletter in the January 29, 2025 edition. Both are functions of Town Crier Productions. You can support the work by purchasing a paid subscription or contributing monthly through Patreon. You can also send in a check or send an email, but drop me a line first.