Bob Stuart over at the NewsVirginian has coverage of the meeting between the Augusta BOS and economic development officials from Waynesboro and Staunton...
"Elected and economic development officials from the localities came together Wednesday at The Club At Ironwood to discuss how area job creation benefits all three jurisdictions. They also heard strategies from a state economic development leader on how to maximize the cooperation and leverage the region’s assets."
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"When Augusta County Board of Supervisors Chairman Tracy Pyles and new supervisors Marshall Pattie and David Karaffa ran in last fall’s county elections, they spoke of the need for regional economic development efforts and for pooling of resources."
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Pyles said the regional efforts are “all about having a vision and people getting along,” and he spoke of creating jobs for “our folks in Waynesboro, Staunton and Augusta County.”
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"Lehmkuhler showed numerous industrial sites in the Old Dominion that have been developed
as a joint project of a county and city. He said that when a major company comes calling, it’s looking for a site and infrastructure that is already developed as well as location. The incentive package also likely would include donated land, he said."
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"Lehmkuhler showed numerous industrial sites in the Old Dominion that have been developed
as a joint project of a county and city. He said that when a major company comes calling, it’s looking for a site and infrastructure that is already developed as well as location. The incentive package also likely would include donated land, he said."
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"A Toyota plant that Augusta County fell out of contention for six years ago eventually went to Mississippi, where three localities gambled by purchasing $30 million in bonds. While the plant was put on hold when the recession hit, it’s now open and expects to eventually employ 2,000 people."
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"Pyles said Augusta was unprepared for Toyota. Obstacles included difficult negotiations with a major landowner in the northern part of the county and resistance from residents who did not like the idea of the footprint of a large auto manufacturer."
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"For future economic development, Pyles said the county needs to have the pieces in place.
That development that could impact the region might not be a Toyota-sized operation, he said, but perhaps a 500-employee plant on 500 acres."
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That development that could impact the region might not be a Toyota-sized operation, he said, but perhaps a 500-employee plant on 500 acres."
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They did not like "the idea of a large footprint of a auto manufacturer"
ReplyDeleteIf we had that Toyota plant my boy would still be here and not have to move to find work!
Stan,
ReplyDeleteWent back and added a link to a story on the Toyota plant that went to Miss. with a $1.3 billion investment and 2,000 jobs that could\should have been here...
Toyota may not have been a bad deal on the surface. Its impact would have been far reaching in the impact it would have had on housing, our schools and water. Only a portion of those 2000 jobs would have been filled from Staunton, Waynesboro and Augusta County the rest would have come from other areas with a need for housing, along with addition of kids in our schools and if I remember right Augusta County wasnt even able to supply the amount of water Toyota needed.
ReplyDeleteIf I recall the water environmental issue came towards the end and was one of the final nails in the coffin. Not saying that it was not a valid reason but it seems "Environmental impact studies" comes into play to stop or slow down growth when not wanted by select groups....
ReplyDeleteBut think of the tax revenue it would have brought to the county let alone the retail sales, housing, and JOBS !
ReplyDeleteWe are getting to the NIMBY attitude and looking for the perfect solution which will never come along.
We lost the MegaSite because certain BOS members acted like 3 yos when the MegaSite came to light and they couldn't handle their political responsibilities without treating the opposition like rubes and morons. They could have made the economic case for it and instead spent their time talking down to folks and evading their questions. I dare say Frye, Sorrells and Hamilton were counting on that as the icing on the cake to kill the whole thing. They played their opposition on the board like 10 cent flutes.
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