[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6554793,"mediaKeyId","4787879-9f4cca28d08aedd4a465caaba1889ae9","parentId",4787879,"title","Loudoun Economic Development wins IEDC AEDO accreditation; county leaders praise staff","audioSeconds",216,"startMs",2058000,"endMs",2274000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=4787879-9f4cca28d08aedd4a465caaba1889ae9&start=2058&end=2274","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4787879-9f4cca28d08aedd4a465caaba1889ae9/thumbnail_2058000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6554793/Virginia/Loudoun-Economic-Development-wins-IEDC-AEDO-accreditation-county-leaders-praise-staff","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6554793-58a74bf69eebbb113bae9e9bf8e34bc2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770415365&Signature=a6Yy~r1V3gGeW6hZYjnF--Gr6-Ggpfbvu6c0suB69iyw7cB~zVZ7pCJLmSKVNDDODiQ1NIJozNO2L9hS9meouSeHU39V2WiBIqIxKMKFNzY46x7SbSY1LgyLwL~rf8lhu4z4jT7HIzdL0MzuCkko0x7zXNtkByi4nBQNgqh6bbpYCJW9eFYzGTDJhi-0fAY0t6UnLpzHahIyNdxeX6y6zVHLkdDZUgw2q5qHi8U8CLJXNpEesOYErZcHBtyaajEeym4rUqc-dS7M4qdDNnK~YgDC6iYHuMzDxP~rYpvuZGSNS2l3pmzivkCexOO8IL1IuTVOxzyPFcHAj~DLdx-Ecg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Loudoun County","date","2025-06-17T00:00:00Z","article","The Loudoun County Department of Economic Development on Tuesday received Accredited Economic Development Organization (AEDO) recognition from the International Economic Development Council, a national trade group for economic developers.

Nathan Oley, president and CEO of IEDC, told the board the AEDO program “recognizes the professional excellence of economic development organizations” and that Loudoun is 1 of 89 organizations worldwide to earn the accreditation and the fourth in Virginia. He singled out the county’s fast‑track permitting manager, its rural development focus, the county’s data‑center cluster work and the department’s staff certifications.

Why it matters: AEDO accreditation signals to businesses and regional partners that the county’s economic development operation meets industry practices and has strong programs and staff capacity. Board members lauded staff for the accreditation and said it would figure prominently in the annual state of the county conversation and future business recruitment.

Local reaction: Supervisor Jay Randall and other board members congratulated department leadership and staff, who accepted the plaque. “This is a big deal,” Randall said. “It speaks to the county’s efforts and the professionalism of staff.”

Bottom line: The accreditation is an external validation for Loudoun’s economic development operations and may aid the county’s business‑recruitment and retention efforts.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Loudoun County - Board of Supervisors Business Meeting - Jun 17, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The International Economic Development Council recognized the Loudoun County Department of Economic Development as an Accredited Economic Development Organization (AEDO); IEDC officials presented a plaque to county staff at the June 17 meeting.","taxTitle","Loudoun County, Virginia","taxId",5640,"location","Virginia","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6554798,"Jewish residents and allies tell Loudoun supervisors to condemn antisemitic rhetoric at board meetings",7120,8446000,15566000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=4787879-9f4cca28d08aedd4a465caaba1889ae9&start=8446&end=15566","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4787879-9f4cca28d08aedd4a465caaba1889ae9/thumbnail_8446000.jpg","/articles/6554798/Virginia/Jewish-residents-and-allies-tell-Loudoun-supervisors-to-condemn-antisemitic-rhetoric-at-board-meetings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6554798-dc9da22f43eae15e99060a005f30971f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770415365&Signature=NaWDiu9z3h~nfXZSuoYgVPGYGTSWwVkn8NEfiMR01pAgj~aQPTt6Do8on8Khkw15q6-Zr~oSd-EVbP63PDIRI6lQD16eXQDjZYRsfGjVXEjcRcA8~GOeADb1pIIuH0lehpTQh9QxdaCzWWKq7k1wU~GGJac1PVNFuo3Y1063Fg68qCzM3uTRPhB9gDcndAirlFHGSO-fauKUIhe7grQqRCS09ii8g7l35uFsQ-ppx-Ch1s3hrx67aKxCrJNw~MmF8dYmD1xkh~GdCHdBGOQ74UfJtcQXg~4Pf~yCXEQUXFcCpgzzxFDYolRNWin0QBazWNy3zvgEOmDiAAZsz0fSRA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Scores of residents used the meeting’s public‑comment slot to press the Board of Supervisors to speak out against antisemitic rhetoric that many speakers said has become common in the chamber.

“Week after week, anti‑Israel speakers have used this public forum to spread hateful, inflammatory rhetoric,” said one commenter. Multiple speakers told the board that comments using phrases they described as antisemitic have escalated into threats and violence elsewhere and have made Jewish constituents afraid to attend meetings or to speak publicly.

Why it matters: Commenters said the recurring rhetoric has real‑world effects: they cited recent violent incidents in Washington, D.C., and Boulder, Colo., and described local intimidation, vandalism at schools and threats linked by speakers to anti‑Jewish language used in earlier public comments. Many asked the board to adopt stronger rules or a formal, public condemnation of antisemitism.

What commenters asked for: Requests included an unequivocal board statement condemning antisemitism; stricter enforcement of public‑comment rules to keep remarks focused on county business; and protections for residents who say they have been harassed or intimidated. Several speakers said they represented Loudoun Jewish organizations and noted recent guidance from Loudoun County Public Schools about anti‑Semitic incidents in schools.

Board reaction: Several supervisors told speakers they supported a clear condemnation of hate. Others urged the public to keep comments focused on local issues and suggested the board consider rule changes to limit public‑comment time or require comments to be relevant to county business. Multiple supervisors acknowledged the tension between free speech and the need to prevent intimidation and the spread of hateful rhetoric.

Public‑meeting context: The board’s rules limit public comment to 2½ minutes per speaker and the public‑comment session was capped at 90 minutes; several speakers said limited slots have been used repeatedly by those discussing the Israeli‑Palestinian conflict rather than local zoning, transportation or school issues.

Bottom line: Commenters asked the board to act publicly against antisemitism and to change public‑comment procedures if necessary. The board did not adopt a formal policy or resolution on the issue during the meeting; several members said they would consider follow‑up steps and that county staff and legal counsel would advise on options.","Dozens of public commenters urged the Board of Supervisors to denounce antisemitic speech they said has dominated limited public‑comment time and to change rules to keep meetings focused on county business; board members expressed differing responses.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6554802,"Votes at a glance: key Loudoun County moves — properties, arts, invasives, consent agenda",20042,473000,20515000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=4787879-9f4cca28d08aedd4a465caaba1889ae9&start=473&end=20515","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4787879-9f4cca28d08aedd4a465caaba1889ae9/thumbnail_473000.jpg","/articles/6554802/Virginia/Votes-at-a-glance-key-Loudoun-County-moves-properties-arts-invasives-consent-agenda","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6554802-e630ff448fc9264586d7f88d1b87c065/orig.mp4?Expires=1770415365&Signature=dDHbnaLGH6iIgMABBt4Ifx8nFWUVt5PhhuQEv4Cb2kQ2wzRqZmy257YbmnnTqOITWHO--3Omk9hf5qrcI7zUzTVFyzmVkOJpSEO6V1STFLgPIcMkEsxHJiNLFwbDXPGE3VFQ6QwXzg94Pv7etVgeMiXDl6~oD-k1dGMRQN1FeO-MM8AcFpMm07sZqSVAJ4EY5f3YdMLDRH9ZjmjSkMfHqahOinspOEyze4YdqHLb6KqVHHRWZH8fdI3DjzgfcdaFhN5kshIzqmfNxo3a6FcYjDAkMGlnr4A~njz62nJXYrUvyGdnR5Grm06Pre2UBe8DLxRZi0q7l-M0HuvtjZ3GEg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","What passed and what to watch from the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors meeting on June 17:

- Consent agenda: The board adopted a broad consent agenda that included proclamations, contract awards, renewals, and program adoptions listed in the docket. The full consent package was approved at the start of the meeting; the clerk recorded that the motion passed and staff will post the full consent list in the official minutes.

- Referral for property tax‑exemption request: The board referred the African American Community Alliance’s application for a property‑tax exemption by designation to a future public hearing for ordinance consideration. The motion to refer was approved; minutes record a tally that included multiple absences and an abstention and staff will publish the formal hearing date.

- Church Street closure (Leesburg): The board endorsed asking the Town of Leesburg to permit the permanent closure of Church Street between Market and Cornwall Streets to improve courthouse security. The motion passed 7‑1‑1; the town council will now consider the request.

- Land acquisitions: The board authorized two purchases discussed in closed session and approved by motion in open session: a plan to acquire ~90 acres on Persimmon Lane for the linear parks and trails system, with initial down payment and due diligence funding; and a 17.42‑acre purchase at 21345/21355 Ridgetop Circle in Sterling for an Eastern Service Center — the latter included a $33.65 million purchase price and a board budget adjustment for the down payment. Staff will publish final contract documents after closing and will move the specified budget adjustments.

- Comprehensive Arts Plan: The board approved the county’s Comprehensive Arts Plan, directing staff to implement strategies to expand public art, creative hubs, and arts programming and suggesting bylaw updates and further action items for the Arts Advisory Committee.

- Invasive Plant Species Management Program: The board approved a $2.0 million county program to fund invasive plant removal and related outreach, and authorized a memorandum of agreement with the Loudoun Soil and Water Conservation District to administer the program. The plan funds subject matter expertise, temporary permit‑review staffing and outreach, and will prioritize high‑visibility and high‑impact projects.

Vote tallies, approvals and next steps: Where a formal vote was recorded, motions passed by the tallies announced at the meeting. Several items approved in closed session require execution of purchase and sale agreements and budget adjustments; staff will return with closing documents and implementation schedules. Items that require town or state action—such as the Church Street request—move to the relevant authority for its decision.

Where to find details: The clerk’s posted minutes and the county’s website will carry the official vote tallies, recorded motions, and the agenda packet that lists resolutions, contracts and attachments referenced by the board.","At its June 17 business meeting, the Loudoun County Board approved multiple items including land purchases for parks and a service center, adopted a comprehensive arts plan and an invasive species program, and approved the consent agenda; several items will go to the Town of Leesburg or further review.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6554808,"Board backs Leesburg request to pursue permanent Church Street closure near courthouse for security",806,6998000,7804000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=4787879-9f4cca28d08aedd4a465caaba1889ae9&start=6998&end=7804","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4787879-9f4cca28d08aedd4a465caaba1889ae9/thumbnail_6998000.jpg","/articles/6554808/Virginia/Board-backs-Leesburg-request-to-pursue-permanent-Church-Street-closure-near-courthouse-for-security","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6554808-716d486246aac70dc6c5db231878deca/orig.mp4?Expires=1770415365&Signature=HO85YW0ZvRa8eSoR1iXd0EeWyWXH8B---QlEEDVUPJNbHf2Ed-gnCS-tYKZXyHUlokFWmpjW9o06EUq~iT0VdpVfDFf5VDYgB6E3uEWXCkBwnAurIw6mU4f7prRSXmk6FY0JjEiYT68uoRZupIE3KsF-NyFns~uIeTT3-JX1y6wCuWgnWKu62tBY7pYUF7purslsgWKIXTcANYNyhXvW8Rxv1wEOCpv37~jBIzqMV7Bbj0uV3yAAQ1FA5xLCv4NXGIgx20TnRUqo5lyAG5THVufpZUs0QqSH8pCZghUl1U~7aYXfE83tKwb9RADeZ-3c0tRh26qcxji5ZHw2ecX5Zw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday voted to endorse a formal request from the Town of Leesburg to permit the permanent closure of Church Street between Market Street and Cornwall Street, a one‑block segment that bisects the county courthouse complex.

Chief Judge Fleming, speaking for the circuit and district courts and the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office, told supervisors the existing layout “renders the courthouse insecure, not only for the many thousands of citizens and residents who visit and use the courthouse, but also for those who work in the court.” He said that emotional and adversarial proceedings make courthouse safety “a bigger concern than ever before.”

Why it matters: Judges and law enforcement told the board they consider the street a security vulnerability for courthouse staff, jurors and visitors. Supporters argued closure would be a reasonable preventive step to reduce the risk of attacks, demonstrations or uncontrolled vehicle access near court entrances.

Board debate: Supporters, including a majority of supervisors and the county’s judges, framed the closure as a preventative security measure. “Prevention doesn’t guarantee anything but it certainly tries to lessen the possibility of something happening,” Chair Randall said. Two board members pressed for sensitivity to nearby residents: Supervisor Armstead said neighbors—about 80 homes—felt the decision had not adequately considered traffic impacts, emergency access during festivals, and disruption from prior courthouse construction.

Vote and next steps: The motion to “endorse proceeding with the formal request of the Town of Leesburg to permit the permanent closure of Church Street” passed 7‑1‑1, with Supervisor Armstead casting the lone nay and one supervisor absent. The board asked staff to coordinate with the town and to consider accommodations for disabled access and community impacts as the Town of Leesburg reviews the request. Chair Randall said the county has previously asked Leesburg about partial or full closures and expects the town council will take up the question.

Context: County staff and consultants previously conducted security and traffic studies that were cited in board discussion. Supervisors said the town ultimately has authority over the street but that designating the closure formally from the county side would support courthouse security arguments in local and, if necessary, state legislative conversations.

What’s next: The item will be shared with the Leesburg Town Council for its decision and may result in local design changes, traffic management measures and accommodations for residents and emergency access if the town approves a closure.","After testimony from judges and the sheriff’s office, the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors endorsed asking the Town of Leesburg to permit the permanent closure of a block of Church Street adjacent to the courthouse, citing security concerns; the measure passed 7‑1‑1.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6554812,"Loudoun releases draft plan for transmission corridors; officials stress limits of county authority",1027,2381000,3408000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=4787879-9f4cca28d08aedd4a465caaba1889ae9&start=2381&end=3408","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4787879-9f4cca28d08aedd4a465caaba1889ae9/thumbnail_2381000.jpg","/articles/6554812/Virginia/Loudoun-releases-draft-plan-for-transmission-corridors-officials-stress-limits-of-county-authority","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6554812-9d5ff1fab2ea06b1699d268e792c4658/orig.mp4?Expires=1770415365&Signature=o5iGSkHJBqc9JSUC4P-w4u~NOQyIkAT4rqhuUgxm7H9tjuJeu2d~0keHYD5as5AJktkm3yIOsXq~QoLx0TWym9yuFOWjBhc9OJKOGXEKx3oEMzUMNsIBQhtjE6w8u8pA~5mzKzZ~V1ubBG9sKjGb~Gl9DqOCodx16oo50XBbCARpXHxEQYVER89neO~PhMepd2YBIn8qtD36LJoyF4k~FwRN-4LNl0amo1RejeReGKM1VKkQ9sqwrhvAxFgEfN9wa9Y~Z6zuEEljwTeuyiyWiakVJefOy8EfDy8WelevaH-6SOQriuW9jbjSTT-fpSZKPBXuyun9~8dd9lAY6hTGaQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County planning staff and consultants on Tuesday presented a draft electrical infrastructure comprehensive plan amendment (CPAM) that would add a county map and policies to guide the siting, design and aesthetics of new high‑voltage transmission corridors.

The plan proposes that co‑location and upgrades to existing transmission corridors should be the county’s first choice and that undergrounding should be used selectively “to minimize impacts on residential communities and sensitive rural and historic areas,” Pat Giulio, Department of Planning and Zoning, told the Board of Supervisors. The draft also calls for early public engagement and corridor management practices that allow native plants and pollinators in rights‑of‑way.

Planners said the CPAM is intended to give utilities, the State Corporation Commission (SCC) and the regional transmission operator a visual and policy framework to reference when routing new lines. “The combination of both the policies and the map provide a detailed framework and a guide for electric officials, the SCC, and other decision makers,” Giulio said.

Why it matters: Loudoun has seen an extraordinary rise in electric demand tied to data centers, and supervisors pressed staff for clarity on whether the county can actually require or block undergrounding or route choices. Supervisors repeatedly asked staff to make clear to the public the limits of county authority under federal and state review processes — especially the role of PJM, FERC and the SCC.

Details of the draft: Consultant Paul Vernon of Kimley‑Horn walked the board through technical findings and elements staff says are already in the draft policy memo. Among the points presented: modern conductors and reconductoring can increase capacity within an existing right‑of‑way; undergrounding is far more expensive and is usually used in short, strategic segments; and co‑location with existing corridors, roads or rail can reduce new land acquisition and visual impacts. Vernon said, “This is not anti‑development work, this is pro economic development.”

Supervisors pushed for specifics on demand and infrastructure needs. One supervisor recited county projections staff presented earlier in the study: Loudoun’s electric demand from data centers could grow up to 150 percent to about 8.2 gigawatts by 2028, a number supervisors said will drive future transmission, substation and possibly 30–50 new substation proposals. Staff said planning for substations and specific new corridors is part of phase two of the county’s work and would include public input.

On undergrounding and legal limits: Planners repeatedly told the board the SCC and other state or federal designations can supersede local preferences. “When it comes to the NITC, they supersede the SCC,” staff said when asked about National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor designations, and noted that the SCC must still consider a county’s comprehensive plan when evaluating an application.

Next steps and schedule: Staff said policy refinement and public engagement will continue through the summer, with an in‑person town hall planned for July 23 at Douglas Community Center and public hearings planned for the fall. The project team also plans targeted meetings with utilities, referral agencies and stakeholder organizations and will publish an online comment form.

Board reaction: Supervisors welcomed the draft but asked staff to emphasize to residents that the county’s policy guidance can be limited by state and federal regulators. Several supervisors urged that the public engagement be framed as both education and comment, because many residents “believe we have more authority than we do.”

Bottom line: The CPAM sets a county preference for upgrades and co‑location over new corridors and for selective undergrounding in sensitive areas, but staff cautioned the board that the final outcome on any proposed transmission project will depend on regulatory proceedings outside the county’s sole control.","County planners presented a draft electrical infrastructure Comprehensive Plan Amendment (CPAM) proposing map and policy changes to guide siting, design and undergrounding of high‑voltage transmission lines, while supervisors pressed staff on limits of local authority and data center power demand.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Loudoun Economic Development wins IEDC AEDO accreditation; county leaders praise staff

Jewish residents and allies tell Loudoun supervisors to condemn antisemitic rhetoric at board meetings

Votes at a glance: key Loudoun County moves — properties, arts, invasives, consent agenda

Board backs Leesburg request to pursue permanent Church Street closure near courthouse for security

Loudoun releases draft plan for transmission corridors; officials stress limits of county authority