Augusta County Economic Development & Tourism Annual Report CY2020/FY2021

C Y2020/F Y202 1 R EP O RT

AUGUSTA COUNTY

OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & TOURISM augustav abusines s.com | v isitaugustacount y.com

THE SHENANDOAH VALLE Y OF VIRGINIA

Colliers International Recognizes the Shenandoah Valley /I-81 Corridor among “10 Emerging Industrial Markets to Watch” in 2021

T

he Office of Economic Development and Tourism provides resources to support a diverse and thriving economy offering a broad range of career opportunities to the residents of Augusta County and the Shenandoah Valley.

We focus on three main areas: business attraction, existing business retention, and business start-up support. We also market the community we are proud to call home, enhance labor resources, strengthen infrastructure/site readiness and promote a strong quality of life.

In 2020, business retention became imperative, and our office worked with businesses to navigate grant and financial assistance, health and safety requirements, and constantly changing business regulations. Our business community showed strength and resilience as it persevered and grew through unprecedented times. Our work will continue to support projects and initiatives to strengthen Augusta County‘s economy and provide quality job opportunities to the area’s residents.

George Washington National Forest Mt Solon West Augusta

M

Churchville

629 Deerfield

250

42

42

Verona

250

Buffalo Gap

254

262

Staunton

42 252

Photo by Zak Suhar | @zaksuhar

Craigsville

2

Middlebrook

252

11 81

340

Stua Dra

Greenville

11

George Washi National For

AUGUSTA COUNT Y OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & TOURISM

616

BUSINESS LICENSES ISSUED

EMPLOYMENT WITHIN 45 MINUTES

262,194

970

BUILDING PERMITS ISSUED

VALUE:

101,090,399

$

AS OF MARCH 2021

2

Mt Sidney

Weyers Cave Grottoes

11 81

a

n

254

340

Fishersville 64

arts aft

Shenandoah National Park

250

PLACE TO WORK TOP BEST IN MANUFACTURING TEN

STAUNTON-AUGUSTA-WAYNESBORO MSA (SmartAsset)

Waynesboro

Sherando ington rest

CY2020/FY2021 REPORT

3

COVID-19 SUPPORT AND RECOVERY Awarded 38 Grants to Augusta County Small Businesses and Non-Profits for a total of $310,000 n Partnered with Shenandoah Community Capital Fund and the Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge

4

AUGUSTA COUNT Y OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & TOURISM

R E C OV E RY TA S K F O R C E

• Disbursed 200 Free PPE Kits to SAW businesses and non-profits • Released Shenandoah Valley Guide to Re-Opening Businesses • Conducted Peer-to-Peer Networking sessions

SAW MSA Recovery Task Force Formed PA R T N E R S: n SAW Economic Development and Tourism Departments n Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission n Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge n Greater Augusta Regional Chamber of Commerce n Shenandoah Valley Partnership n Shenandoah Valley Small Business Development Center n Shenandoah Community Capital Fund n Staunton Downtown Development Association n United Way of Staunton, Augusta County & Waynesboro

CY2020/FY2021 REPORT

5

EXPLORE SAW In an effort to support the local tourism and hospitality industry during COVID-19 closures and restrictions, Greater Augusta Regional Tourism (GART) received a $50,000 GO Virginia grant to run a three-phased outreach approach to locals and visitors focused on Staunton, Augusta County and Waynesboro (SAW).

Launched

social media accounts

Launched

exploresaw.com

Ran digital marketing campaign

6

Developed

video series

Designed virtual passport program

SAW Savings Pass

7

INVESTMENT AND JOBS JANUARY 1, 2020 – MAY 30, 2021

T H E H E RS H E Y CO M PA N Y A N N O U N C E S E X PA NSI O N

90,000 SQUARE FEET ADDED

110

NEW JOBS Operated in Augusta County for more than

30

YEARS

135 million

$

INVESTMENT

8

AUGUSTA COUNT Y OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & TOURISM

BLOOMAKER INCREASES WA R E H O US E S PAC E

ADDITIONAL

22,000

SQUARE FEET AMARYLLIS BULB PRODUCTION NOW IN-HOUSE

CY2020/FY2021 REPORT

9

INVESTMENT AND JOBS JANUARY 1, 2020 – MAY 30, 2021

T H E P L A N T CO M PA N Y BREAKS GROUND

A controlled environment greenhouse for the sustainable production of tropical indoor foliage plants

22

NEW JOBS

10

10.5 million $

INVESTMENT

AUGUSTA COUNT Y OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & TOURISM

SMALL BUSINESS SUPPORT

AUGUSTA

ECO NOM IC DEV ELO PME NT

Small Business.

Big Plans.

ESS START, WE’RE HERE TO HELP YOUR BUSIN COUNTY. RELOCATE, OR GROW IN AUGUSTA

Augusta County works hard to reduce the uncertainty and red tape for new and existing businesses.

Our services are free and confidential.

OUR SERVICES ■ Company location or relocation ■ Company start-up ■ Company expansion ■ Data research ■ Connec tions to workforce, tacts government, and community con

SMALL BUSINESS LOANS

from plan Let us help you boost your idea small to reality with an Augusta County up to $20,000 le availab Loans s loan. busines business small Our with terms of 1-5 years. creative loans can be packaged with other loans. bank nal financing or traditio

Supported regional grants: n Startup Shenandoah Valley (Shenandoah Community Capital Fund) n Small Business Resiliency Team Navigators (Small Business Development Center)

The Augusta County Economic Development Authority revamped Small Business Loan Fund: n Loans available up to $20,000

TO QUALIFY FOR THE LOANS...

E LOCATE YOUR CURRENT OR FUTUR BUSINESS IN AUGUSTA COUNTY

ent Center Check with Augusta County Governm zoning, building, departments for business license, and more. tion informa tax ring, planning, enginee

COMPLETE BUSINESS PLAN ment Work with the Small Business Develop nity Capital Center or the Shenandoah Commu Fund to prepare a solid business plan.

This program is administered through a partnership with the Shenandoah Community Capital Fund.

REQUEST LOAN FUND APPLICATION ic Development Contac t the Augusta County Econom Capital Fund to learn Office or Shenandoah Community tion program. more about the loan fund applica

SCA N

»

TO SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSL ETTER

AUGUSTA

EC ON OM IC DE VE LO PM EN T

540-245-5619

staff@ AugustaVABus iness.com AugustaVABusine ss.com

f

NO-FEE SMALL BUSINESS CONSUL TING

Take advantage of no-fee small busines s consulting ser vice s by connec ting with a Small Business Dev elopment Center Advisor at the Augusta County Government Center.

The Shenandoah Val ley SBDC’s satellite office is con veniently located at our offices in Verona and open to experience d owners and aspiring entrepren eur s.

SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CEN TER

“We were a hel ped us la encour age o

valleysbdc.org 540 -568 -322 7 Call for appointmen ts

CY2020/FY2021 REPORT

AUGUST AUGUST P.O. BOX VERONA

—Er ic Walter,

11

SHENANDOAH VALLE Y PARTNERSHIP

MARKETING MISSIONS AND OUTREACH

81

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.

64

n Completed 60-second site tour video series n Hosted first-ever virtual Familiarization Tour, CEO Roundtable, Podcasts, Lunch and Learn, and Food and Beverage Manufacturingfocused Cooking Classes n Received two GO Virginia grants: Shenandoah Valley Sites Enhancement and Business Scale-Up n Hosted 14 Site Selectors on two familiarization tours 12

Launched

shenandoahvalleyliving.com

AUGUSTA COUNT Y OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & TOURISM

New Tourism Instagram page

@visitaugustava

augustavabusiness.com

NUMBER OF NEWSLETTERS

22

AVERAGE OPEN RATE

40%

CY2020/FY2021 REPORT

AUGUSTA COUNT Y ECONOMIC DE VELOPMENT & TOURISM

Refreshed

PUBLISHED MONTHLY ELECTRONIC NEWSLETTER – THE CURRENT VIEW

13

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 190 acres remain available for development.

n Completed covenants update and rezoning to make Mill Place Commerce Park more industrially friendly and project ready.

TIER 4 CERTIFIED SITE VIRGINIA BUSINESS READY SITES PROGRAM

14

AUGUSTA COUNT Y OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & TOURISM

BLUE RIDGE MACHINE WORKS OPENS SEPTEMBER 2020

CY2020/FY2021 REPORT

15

F O O D A N D B E V E R A G E + M A N U FA C T U R I N G + A G R I C U LT U R E + H E A LT H

RECEIVED HONORABLE MENTION Community Economic Development Award (CEDA) through the Virginia Economic Developers Association.

PEOPLE OF AUGUSTA 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.

“I love my job. I love the mountains.

I like to bring the light to the story.”

“Some of the most genuine people I’ve ever met are here. This is the first place I’ve lived where I really do know my neighbors.”

16

A N D W E L L N E S S + W O R K F O R C E S E R V I C E S + L O G I S T I C S + A G R I T O U R I S M + M U S I C A N D C U LT U R E

“I really love the people of Augusta. They helped raise me.

It’s the first place I can say I was home.”

“To open something and to receive the support from the entire community, it’s such an amazing feeling.”

“We wanted people to be able to see a little piece of heaven in Augusta County.”

“One of the beautiful things about Augusta County, it has that small town feel. People wanting to help and be involved, encouraging us, always having your back.”

17

SHENANDOAH B EERWERKS TR AIL

REGIONAL TOURISM EFFORTS

trailblazers

welcome! n Over 5,500 passports redeemed (Participants from 48 states and 5 foreign countries) n Launched new t-shirt colors for 2020 and 2021 n Launched Trailblazers Campaign n Received Virginia Tourism Corporation grant for $10,000 18

SPRING CAMPAIGN

CURE

SHENANDOAH VALLE Y TOURISM PARTNERSHIP

CAPTION

TYPE

Discover Limitless Adventure

PLACEMENT

Facebook General

with your family! limitless nValley Launched new Discover website at possibilities in our Campaign corner of the world. #VirginiasShenandoahValley shenandoahvalley.org n Completed 3 seasonal 13 digital campaigns n Created 15 guides highlighting Valley assets Spring is another amazing season to enjoy the Shenandoah

CAPTION

Discove

Ad

Spring is an Valley with corner of th

19

CY2020/FY2021 REPORT TYPE

CAPTION

PLACEMENT

Valley Facts

Discover Limitless Adventure

Facebook

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

EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES 25,000 annual graduates from 19 regional colleges and universities

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

TORONTO MILWAUKEE

BOSTON

DETROIT

NEW YORK PITTSBURGH

CHICAGO

WASHINGTON, D.C.

CINCINNATI ST. LOUIS

AUGUSTA COUNTY

NASHVILLE

RICHMOND

CHARLOTTE

MEMPHIS ATLANTA

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

PHILADELPHIA

500 miles 800 kilometers NEW ORLEANS

JACKSONVILLE 750 miles 1200 kilometers

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

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

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

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

18 Government Center Lane P.O. Box 590 Verona, VA 24482 540-245-5619 staff@augustaVAbusiness.com www.augustaVAbusiness.com www.visitaugustacounty.com www.augusta-startup.com