Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Research Park Priorities topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Wallace Research Park leadership prioritizes infrastructure, VEDP site characterization and marketing
Summary
The Wallace Research Park Leadership Council on Sept. 8 discussed five suggested priorities for 2026 intended to make the park more marketable to aerospace and related firms, including site readiness work, an updated concept plan, pursuit of VEDP funding and a targeted marketing effort.
The Wallace Research Park Leadership Council on Sept. 8 discussed five suggested priorities for 2026 intended to make the park more marketable to aerospace and related firms, including site readiness work, an updated concept plan, pursuit of state site-characterization funding and a targeted marketing effort.
Council members and staff said the initiatives aim to convert interest generated by recent activity at Wallops into real prospects. Lee Pambitt, Deputy County Administrator for Community and Economic Development, presented staff’s list of five suggested priorities: (1) infrastructure development for temporary pads and sites, (2) a rear access road to improve access behind the taxiway near Rocket Lab, (3) a refresh of the park’s concept plan (last updated in 2014), (4) pursuing site-characterization and site-development grants through the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) and (5) a marketing program including an offering memorandum, website updates and outreach materials.
Pambitt said some enterprises have inquired about temporary pads where a prospect could operate while preparing a permanent site and that the southern half of the park could be a logical location for that work. He described the rear access road as a county responsibility to construct and said staff has previously sought congressionally directed spending for that road but will continue to explore funding options.
Staff and council members emphasized the two-step VEDP process: a site characterization is generally required before applying for site-development funding. Pambitt and others said a characterization would move the park from a lower readiness tier toward a shovel-ready condition that attracts developers.
On marketing, staff described a planned offering memorandum (a 4-page PDF with drone and ground photos) and estimated production cost at about $1,500–$2,000. The council agreed staff should begin assembling materials and consult with VEDP’s real-estate team and other partners as part of next steps. Robert Sabatini, executive director of the Eastern Shore Virginia Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Commission, offered the chamber’s assistance for outreach and engagement.
The council did not take a formal vote to adopt the priorities but instructed staff to proceed with exploration and initial work and to return with updates and scheduling information at a future meeting.
Staff noted budget limits: the county’s funding is limited and some projects will require external grants or allocations from the Board of Supervisors. Pambitt said staff would start outreach to VEDP’s real-estate team and to potential design/photography vendors for the offering memo and would report back at the next meeting.
Less-critical details: staff reported the new park sign installed before the Rocket Lab LC-3 dedication and said future signs could include QR codes directing visitors to park documents. Staff also noted Kimley Horn is the county’s usual engineering consultant and could be engaged for concept-plan graphics.
The council asked staff to return with draft materials and grant next steps at a subsequent meeting.
