BUSINESS, INDUSTRY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Staunton, Waynesboro and Fishersville and Augusta County are economically viable communities because of the diversity of businesses located here. Not only will you find one-person, home-based businesses, but also smaller, independently owned operations and large multinational corporations representing banking, construction, distribution, education, farming, financial services, food processing, government, health professions, manufacturing, retail and wholesale trade, sales and textiles. Stable companies and a low unemployment rate assure continued prosperity for years to come.
More than thirty-five percent of the population receives some form of post-high school education, making for a well-trained workforce. But none of the growth you see here would have occurred without good planning. A number of organizations in our region work together and individually to assure prosperity for our residents and businesses not only in the present, but also for the future.
One of the major players in the commitment for responsible development is the Central Shenandoah Regional Planning District Commission. The Commission provides statistical information, planning, public administration, project development and implementation, and fiscal management services to Augusta County, Staunton, Waynesboro and a number of other counties, cities and towns in the Shenandoah Valley.
Planning Commissions in each of the three areas served by the Greater Augusta Regional Chamber of Commerce look at subdivision plans, as well as permitting and zoning issues for their respective communities. Three Industrial Development Authorities assist in planning and development by promoting growth and providing financial assistance to new and expanding businesses.
The Staunton Downtown Development Association is a nonprofit organization established through assistance by the Virginia Main Street Program. To create an environment conducive to growth in the city's central business district while maintaining its character, history and its cultural and historic flavor. Waynesboro Downtown Development, Inc. works to ensure the viability of the downtown area as a center of commerce and activity.
Also key to the region's prosperity is the Grater Augusta Regional Chamber of Commerce, which represents businesses in Augusta County, Staunton, Waynesboro and Fishersville. The Chamber is involved in regional business development, supports a small business incubator program, helps promote the downtown development programs, and acts as a legislative liaison for the business community to regional, state and national elected officials.
The chamber also supports community events, hosts activities with the local school districts, promotes tourism and conducts a number of seminars, workshops and social networking events geared toward helping strengthen and unify the business community.
Along with the Chamber, the cities of Staunton, Waynesboro and Fishersville plus Augusta County work together to encourage a strong business community through a number of incentive programs. The three localities are also working together to identify ways to provide joint services and are collaborating on a business and technology incubator.
The city of Waynesboro markets privately owned commercial and industrial property in the area through the industrial parks and also has a designated Enterprise Zone that allows businesses and industries in the Central Business District (CBD) the opportunity to take advantage of some tax incentives.
Staunton's Urban Enterprise Zone includes its CBD plus other commercial corridors. The city also offers tax abatement incentives for renovation of older buildings. The Green Hills Industry and Technology Center, a public-private endeavor, has recruited a number of businesses to the region.
Augusta County is developing a 425-acre industrial park in Verona, just off I-81 and is completing infrastructure improvements to its Industrial and Technology Center.
THERE ARE MANY REASONS TO CONSIDER locating a business in Staunton, Waynesboro and Fishersville and Augusta County. An available and well-trained workforce, active incentive programs, a convenient and efficient transportation network, customized training programs, and affordable industrial and office/commercial sites are just a smattering of the advantages you'll want to consider. You will find everything from home-based and small, independently owned businesses to large, multinational corporations with thousands of employees. Banking, construction, distribution, education, farming, financial services, food processing, government, health professionals, manufacturing, retail and wholesale trades, sales and textiles are only some of the businesses representing our community.
The entrepreneurial spirit that has generated thousands of new jobs in the community over the past two decades continues to flourish today, especially with an ever-increasing influx of new residents who have relocated her from larger cities to take advantage of the area's high quality of life and attractive cost of living.
Business Parks and Incentives
The City of Waynesboro markets the Waynesboro Commercial and Industrial Park, 50 acres of publicly owned land adjoining K-64. It also markets privately owned commercial/industrial property through several industrial parks, and manages a designated Enterprise Zone that allows businesses and industries in the Central Business District (CBD) the opportunity to take advantage of a number of tax incentives. Staunton's Urban Enterprise Zone includes its CBD plus other commercial corridors. The city also offers tax abatement incentives for renovation of older buildings. Augusta County owns a 375-acre industrial park in Verona located just off Interstate 81.
Mill Place Commerce Park has sites ranging from 2 to 35 acres with the infrastructure in place and ready for occupancy. The County also markets privately owned industrial sites located throughout the county ranging from 2-5 acres to several hundred acres in size.
The Workforce Services Division of the Virginia Department of Business Assistance provides customized recruiting and training services to companies that are creating new jobs or experiencing technological change. As a business development incentive, the program reduces the human resource development costs of new and expanding companies. Workforce Services offers consulting services, organizational development support, electronic media services, and funding.
Planning and Growth Management
Planning for the future, and accommodating growth while also preserving the highest level of quality of life is part of the success equation in our three communities. In addition to the offices of economic development in the cities of Staunton, Waynesboro and Fishersville, and the Augusta County office of community development, all three municipal jurisdictions work within a much larger planning organization?the Central Shenandoah Regional Planning District Commission. Selection of Commission members is based on population, with each governmental subdivision represented. A majority of the Commission Board is comprised of local government elected officials.
Composed of five counties, five cities, and eleven towns, the Commission provides planning and technical services assistance to its members. These services include land use planning and regulation, transportation, solid waste management, water and waste water utilities, housing economic development, water resource management, flood mitigation and human services.
In addition, Planning Commissions in each of the three jurisdictions look at subdivision plans, as well as permitting and zoning issues for their respective communities. Three Industrial Development Authorities assist in planning and development by promoting growth and providing financial assistance to new and expanding businesses.
Other Resources
The Staunton Downtown Development Association and Waynesboro Downtown Development, Inc. are nonprofit organizations established through the assistance of the Virginia Main Street Program. These local organizations are responsible for stimulating growth in the cities' central business districts while striving to maintain character, cultural and historic flavors.
Also key to the region's growth and prosperity is the Greater Augusta Regional Chamber of Commerce, which represents businesses and organizations in Augusta County, Staunton, Waynesboro and Fishersville. The Chamber is involved in regional business development, supports a small business incubator program, helps promote downtown development programs, and acts as a legislative liaison for the business community to regional, state and national elected officials.
The Chamber also supports community events, hosts activities with the local school districts, promotes tourism and conducts a number of seminars, workshops and social networking events geared toward helping strengthen and unify the business community.
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