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Board approves $450,000 match to pursue VBRSP grant for Dillard industrial site purchase
Summary
Amherst County supervisors approved a $450,000 matching contribution to support an $850,000 Virginia Business Ready Sites Program (VBRSP) grant application to acquire the 545‑acre Dillard site; staff and EDA officials described significant potential economic impact if developed.
The Amherst County Board of Supervisors on Sept. 2 approved providing a $450,000 local match to support a Virginia Business Ready Sites Program (VBRSP) grant application that would help purchase the 545‑acre Dillard site (M‑1 industrial zoning).
Economic‑development staff and EDA representatives described the site as uniquely positioned with high‑power transmission, gas, water, sewer and a rail spur, and told the board the site is a regional rarity for large industrial prospects. Staff said the EDA’s grant request is for $850,000 and asked the county to provide $450,000 as the local match. Board discussion covered potential infrastructure costs, phasing for site development and the need to leverage additional grants for roadway, water and sewer work.
EDA board member Paul Kilgore and economic‑development staff said a major prospect had eyed the largest parcel and that full build‑out analysis projects substantial economic impact: staff cited an economic‑impact study estimating roughly $1.5 billion in annual economic output at full build‑out, about $2 million annually in real‑estate taxes, and thousands of jobs (staff included construction and operational jobs in their estimate). Staff emphasized public ownership would allow the county to control build‑out and market the site to high‑value prospects.
Board action: Supervisor Adams moved to approve the $450,000 match to purchase the Dillard site and to fund the match from the unobligated general‑fund balance; the motion passed by voice vote. The board debated funding sources and one supervisor objected to referencing a specific Winton sale fund in the motion; the final motion used the unobligated general fund.
Why it matters: Public acquisition and preparation of a large, utility‑served industrial site could enable major economic development prospects and job creation in Amherst County, but full development will require substantial additional infrastructure investment and grant seeking.
What’s next: The EDA and county will proceed with the VBRSP application and continue pursuit of additional grants and site preparation steps; staff will return with planning and funding details as projects progress.
