FY/CY2022 REPORT augustavabusiness. com | visitaugustacounty.com THE SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA AUGUSTA COUNTY OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & TOURISM
VIRGINIA #1 TOP STATE BUSINESS CLIMATE in 2022
(Site Selection Magazine)
VIRGINIA AMERICA’S TOP STATE FOR BUSINESS in 2021 (CNBC)
VIRGINIA #1 BEST BUSINESS CLIMATE and #1 TECH TALENT PIPELINE in 2021 (Business Facilities)
STAUNTON-AUGUSTA-WAYNESBORO MSA
TOP FIVE BEST PLACE TO WORK IN MANUFACTURING - 2022
(SmartAsset)
2 AUGUSTA COUNTY OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & TOURISM
The Office of Economic Development and Tourism exists to cultivate a diverse and vibrant economy that offers a broad range of job opportunities to the citizens of Augusta County and the Shenandoah Valley.
We focus on three main areas: business attraction, existing business retention, and business start-up support, in addition to marketing the community we are proud to call home. We enhance labor resources and strengthen infrastructure/site readiness while promoting a quality of life that embraces our traditions, preserves the environment, and effectively manages resources.
FY/CY2022 REPORT 3 64 Staunton Waynesboro aynesboro 81 81 Mt Solon West Augusta George Washington National Forest George Washington National Forest Churchville Buffalo Gap Deerfield Craigsville Middlebrook Stuarts Draft Fishersville Verona Mt Sidney Weyers Cave Grottoes Sherando Greenville Shenandoah National Park 42 42 42 629 252 254 252 250 250 250 11 11 340 340 11 262 254
Augusta County Facts and Figures 2022
245,868
2.6% UNEMPLOYMENT RATE3
AVERAGE ANNUAL WAGE (Q1 & Q2 2022) 1 $51,482
11.93% INCREASE SINCE 20201
58.7% LABOR FORCE PARTICIPATION RATE1
78.9% PRIME-AGE (25-54) LABOR FORCE PARTICIPATION RATE1
4 AUGUSTA COUNTY OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & TOURISM
WORKFORCE WITHIN 45 MINUTES 5 BUSINESS LICENSES INDUSTRIAL + COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION PERMITS 4,788 ACTIVE BUSINESS LICENSES 4 524 NEW BUSINESS LICENSES 4 $76.8 MILLION VALUE OF PERMITS 4 128 PERMITS ISSUED4
LICENSES + PERMITS
LARGEST EMPLOYMENT SECTORS 1
Manufacturing (21.2% OF WORKFORCE)
Health Care and Social Assistance
Transportation and Warehousing
Educational Services
7.99%
THAN U.S. AVERAGE
TOTAL POPULATION 6
77,487
24.19% LESS THAN VIRGINIA AVERAGE
INFRASTRUCTURE SUPPORT
5% INCREASE SINCE 2012
9.3% PROJECTED INCREASE BY 20402
Sources:
1. Chmura’s JobsEQ®
Construction Received $20.7M GRANT for universal coverage through Virginia Telecommunication Initiative
2. Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service
3. Virginia Employment Commission
4. County of Augusta
5. EMSI, 2021
6. Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission
FY/CY2022 REPORT 5
BUSINESSES BY SIZE 3 0-9 EMPLOYEES 78% 10-49 EMPLOYEES 19% 50-249 EMPLOYEES 3% 250+ EMPLOYEES 1% COST OF LIVING 1
LESS
CAVA selects Augusta County for new processing and packaging operation
6 AUGUSTA COUNTY OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & TOURISM Announcements JUNE 2021 – DECEMBER 2022
This facility will be located in Mill Place Commerce Park and will produce the company’s signature dips and spreads for distribution to its Mediterranean fast-casual restaurants. $30 MILLION INVESTMENT OVER 55,000+ SQUARE FEET Courtesy of CAVA 52 NEW JOBS SCAN HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT THIS PROJECT
1,000,000+ SQUARE FEET
500 NEW JOBS
This facility is responsible for picking, packing, and shipping bulky or larger-sized customer items such as patio furniture, outdoor equipment, or rugs.
FY/CY2022 REPORT 7
shutterstock.com SCAN HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT THIS PROJECT
Amazon announces new distribution facility coming to Fishersville
28,000+
TOTAL SQUARE FEET
$5.4 MILLION INVESTMENT
Shenandoah Valley Airport breaks ground on new hangars
These hangars are an important first step to growing the Shenandoah Valley Airport’s 58-acre Aviation Technology Park. This project is supported by a GO Virginia grant and an Economic Development Administration grant.
SCAN HERE
TO READ MORE
ABOUT THIS PROJECT
FY/CY2022 REPORT 9
Ridge Community College launched Job Starter to aid area talent issues
award-winning program provides paid training to develop the skills and knowledge needed to be successful starting a job in advanced manufacturing. Virginia Economic Developers Association Community Economic Development Award 2022 GET PAID TO TRAIN • GET PAID TO INTERVIEW GET PAID TO BELONG SCAN HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT THIS WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM 3 COHORTS 59 GRADUATES 15 PARTICIPATING COMPANIES Workforce Development
Blue
This
Mill Place Commerce Park
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 180 acres remain available for development.
10 AUGUSTA COUNTY OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & TOURISM
TIER 4 CERTIFIED SITEVIRGINIA BUSINESS READY SITES PROGRAM
Replaced front entrance sign
CAVA breaks ground
OCTOBER 2022
Construction began in Mill Place for CAVA’s upcoming food processing and packaging operation
FY/CY2022 REPORT 11
Marketing Initiatives and Outreach
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.
n Conducted workforce needs interviews with 11 manufacturers
n Completed 8 marketing missions
n Broadcasted four site selectorfocused how-to shows (two highlighted below) and hosted 17 podcasts highlighting community partners and assets
AUGUSTA COUNTY OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & TOURISM
Living a Better Life Through Flowers
SHENANDOAH VALLEY PARTNERSHIP SCAN HERE TO WATCH THE VIRTUAL FLOWER SHOW FEATURING HARMONY HARVEST FARM THIS BACKPACK BELONGS TO: _____________________________ SCAN HERE TO WATCH THE VIRTUAL COOKING SHOWBACK TO SCHOOL EDITION
September 2022
Summer may be winding down, but things are just warming up. Read on for three updates we’re highlighting this month.
It’s not too late for small businesses to connect with technical expertise in the areas of e-commerce and marketing, finance, and operational efficiencies Entrepreneurs, apply here for this Small Business Development Center program.
Award winning results for Augusta County breweries at the Virginia Craft Brewer’s Guild - silver medals for both Stable Craft Brewing and Skipping Rock! This fall is the perfect time to plan some fun on the Shenandoah Beerwerks Trail (pro tip: sign up for the newsletter for fun ideas in the area throughout the year).
DESIGNED SITES AND BUILDINGS PORTFOLIOS
The Virginia Workforce Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center (VWIEC) is offering up to $3K in business incubator grants, education, networking, mentoring, and coaching. Click here for eligibility criteria and to apply.
Shenandoah Community Capital Fund (SCCF)
Business Bootcamp
Do you have a great business idea you need help fleshing out? SCCF is hosting another 8-week long virtual Business Bootcamp from September 28 –November 23. Fill out an interest form, and SCCF will contact you within five business days. Register by September 26.
#toolbox Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC)
Microbusiness Marketing Grant
Virginia Tourism Corporation is offering a grant for small tourism-related businesses promoting other businesses during the shoulder season. Awardees will be reimbursed for marketing expenses. Applications are due on September 20, 2022, and instructions can be found here
FY/CY2022 REPORT 13 AUGUSTA COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & TOURISM Blue Mountain Site 194 ACRES Valley Church Rd and Airport Rd, Weyers Cave, VA 24486 38.2707720, -78.9048983 Located just a short drive to I-81 and right by the region’s commercial airport, the site is ideal for a large project seeking expansive, contiguous acreage. The entire site is in agricultural use and features gently rolling topography and Current zoning: General Industrial DISTANCE TO Interstate: 3.8 miles to I-81 4-lane highway: 8.4 miles to VA Highway 257 Shenandoah Valley Airport: 0.6 miles, 1 minute Ports: Inland Port of Virginia: 77.8 miles, 1 hour 9 minutes; Port of Virginia: 210.2 miles, 3 hours UTILITIES Electric: Dominion Energy; 3 phase; adjacent to site Water: Augusta County Service Authority; 8”; 500 ft. from site Sewer: Augusta County Service Authority; 8”; adjacent to site Fiber/Broadband: Verizon; adjacent to site Rebekah Castle Director of Economic Development & Marketing 540-245-5619 rebekah@augustavabusiness.com Martin Site 387 ACRES 229 Patton Farm Rd, Stuarts Draft, VA 24477 38.0242396, -78.9923122 Consisting of flat farmland planned for industrial use, the site is in close proximity to both I-81 and I-64, with rail access along more than 100 acres of the site. Large utility capacities are available, including natural gas. Neighbors include McKee Foods and Target Distribution, with Hershey Chocolate of Virginia nearby. Subdividable: Yes Purchase price: $40,000-$60,000 per acre depending on placement and overall lot size Current zoning: General Industrial 44 acres; General Agriculture 343 acres Comprehensive Plan Zoning: General Industrial Rail: Norfolk Southern Class line adjacent to site DISTANCE TO Interstate: 5.2 miles to I-64 4-lane highway: 1.6 miles to U.S. Highway 340 Shenandoah Valley Airport: 29.2 miles, 30 minutes Ports: Inland Port of Virginia: 99.9 miles, 1 hour 28 minutes; Port of Virginia: 190.9 miles, 2 hours 45 minutes UTILITIES Electric: Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative; 25 kV, 3 phase; adjacent to site Natural Gas: Columbia Gas of Virginia; 6”; adjacent to site Note: TC Energy gas transmission line is also available to be tapped for larger gas users Water: Augusta County Service Authority; 12”; adjacent to site Sewer: Augusta County Service Authority; 12”; adjacent to site Fiber/Broadband: SEGRA; adjacent to site Rebekah Castle Director of Economic Development & Marketing 540-245-5619 rebekah@augustavabusiness.com
---------- Forwarded message --------From: Augusta County Economic Development <jhensley@co.augusta.va.us> Date: Thu, Sep 15, 2022 at 10:30 AM Subject: The Current View in September To: <gretchen@queencitycreative.com>
Augusta County Economic Development & Tourism | 540.245.5619 www.AugustaVABusiness.com | www.VisitAugustaCounty.com We're here. Ready to help. Augusta County | 18 Government Center Lane, Verona, VA 24482 Unsubscribe gretchen@queencitycreative.com Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by jhensley@co.augusta.va.us powered by Try email marketing for free today! Theresa E.
<theresa@queencitycreative.com> To: Gretchen Long <gretchen@queencitycreative.com> beautiful—thank you! Theresa Rollison / Senior Designer theresa@queencitycreative.com /917-626-8639 Queen City Creative 29 East Beverley Street, 2nd Floor Staunton, VA 24401 queencitycreative.com REDESIGNED MONTHLY NEWSLETTER Increased average open rate by 10% AVERAGE OPEN RATE 50% NUMBER OF NEWSLETTERS 9
Rollison
Marketing Initiatives and Outreach
PEOPLE OF AUGUSTA 2022
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.
“We get to take that drop of milk that comes from grass in Augusta County, and we turn it into cheese that lands on an Augusta County table. We can literally taste the land we live on. Is there anything more radical, more beautiful?“
“We [at Blue Ridge Community College] train individuals to leave with a broad set of skills, to become a jack of all trades…Robotics, electronics, mechanical—they leave us with a full toolbox to go anywhere.”
“I love the ability to be creative every day. We never do the same thing twice. I’m not a production person. Here, we’re in the business of invention.”
— MATT GOSS BLUE RIDGE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
— MIKE SHELTON BLUE RIDGE MACHINE WORKS
14
— LOUELLA HILL BALLERINO CREAMERY
2021 TOURISM IMPACT NUMBERS
EXPENDITURES: $123,443,497
PAYROLL/LABOR INCOME: $28,960,879
EMPLOYMENT: 1,062
STATE TAX RECEIPTS: $3,255,423
LOCAL TAX RECEIPTS: $4,693,476
FY/CY2022 REPORT 15 Tourism Completed new photography series AUGUSTA COUNTY TOURISM GRANT PROGRAM
projects Visitor Destination Video COMING IN 2023
Awarded $25,000 to five
the Official Guide to Augusta County
The guide is a dual purpose piece introducing economic development prospects to the quality of life in our region while also meeting the needs of a tourism visitors guide. Answers the questions: Why visit? and Why stay?
Received
Mention
Published
Honorable
from North American Travel Journalists Association
16 AUGUSTA COUNTY OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & TOURISM
FY/CY2022 REPORT 17
Regional Tourism Efforts
SHENANDOAH BEERWERKS TRAIL
n Over 7,400 passports redeemed (Participants from 48 states and 5 foreign countries)
n Launched new t-shirt colors for 2021 and 2022
n Recorded over 52,000 brewery visits
n Which Brewery is Best for you? campaign
> 2,074,219 Impressions
> 770,279 People Reached
> 35,831 Click Throughs to Site
> 14,060 Quiz Completions
18 AUGUSTA COUNTY OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & TOURISM
GOOGLE SEARCH CAMPAIGN RECEIVED A 7.71% CLICK-THROUGH RATE
SHENANDOAH VALLEY TOURISM PARTNERSHIP
4.1x THE INDUSTRY AVERAGE RATE
n Launched four seasonal campaigns
n Campaigns resulted in 4.48M impressions and 111,210 clicks
FY/CY2022 REPORT 19
AUGUSTA COUNTY VIRGINIA
Mid-Atlantic location in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley where I-81 and I-64 converge
HIGHER EDUCATION
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
TARGET SECTORS
Advanced Manufacturing
Food Processing
Life Sciences
Value-added Agriculture and Forestry
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
Richard Halterman, Chair
Leah Thomas, Vice-Chair
Mark Frazier
Lyle Moffett
B. Randolph Roller
Monica Rutledge
Brett Snyder
STAFF
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Gerald Garber, Chair
G.L. “Butch” Wells, Vice-Chair
Pam Carter
Steve Morelli
Scott Seaton
Michael Shull
Jeffrey Slaven
Rebekah Castle, Director of Economic Development & Marketing
Julia Hensley, 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
augustaVAbusiness.com
visitaugustacounty.com
augusta-startup.com
WASHINGTON, D.C. BOSTON PHILADELPHIA NEW YORK CHICAGO CHARLOTTE ATLANTA MEMPHIS ST. LOUIS CINCINNATI MILWAUKEE DETROIT TORONTO MONTREAL PITTSBURGH NEW ORLEANS JACKSONVILLE
NASHVILLE AUGUSTA COUNTY RICHMOND
500 miles 800 kilometers 750 miles 1200 kilometers
