Albemarle County EDA hears strategic‑plan update and pursues state and federal site funding

The Albemarle County Economic Development Authority received a broad staff report on economic development strategy and funding on the meeting day, with staff describing a draft strategic‑plan framework, a pending application to the Virginia Business Ready Sites Program and parallel efforts to pursue VDOT’s Economic Development Access Program and other funding sources.

Staff said the county has progressed to the final, in‑person site visit stage of the VBRSP evaluation for the site tied to the county’s site development work (the presentation referred to a request “for just under $14,000,000”). Emily Hilroy, director of the Office of Economic Development, told the authority that the commonwealth’s VBRSP budget for the round is about $40 million and that awards may be smaller than the amount requested; staff said they would scope phased options if the program offered partial funding. Hilroy also said VBRSP funds would typically support clearing and utility work rather than full roadway construction, and that the county has been directed to pursue road funding through the Virginia Department of Transportation’s Economic Development Access Program (EDAP) when road projects are required.

Nut graf: The staff briefing framed the funding push as part of a…