EDA strategy flags agribusiness infrastructure, co-packing and agritourism needs

Albemarle County’s draft economic strategy identifies agribusiness as one of three priority clusters and recommends focused support for modern farm businesses, processing and wholesale access.

Staff said agribusiness stakeholders reported land-use and zoning challenges that make it difficult to operate modern agribusinesses that have light industrial needs such as co-packing, beverage filling and cold storage. The draft plan recommends digging deeper into where zoning or permitting constrains business models and identifying policy or code changes that could allow shared infrastructure (co-packing, cold storage) and value-added operations without undermining rural protections.

Several members noted the county’s active winery and agritourism sector and urged the plan to include market access strategies—wholesale channels and bottling capacity—so wineries can sell beyond tasting-room and wine-club channels. Staff referenced a regional planning/grant effort led by Nelson County to study bottle and processing capacity for local grapes.

Board members also discussed lodging and event infrastructure in places such as Crozet and the importance of balancing rural character with opportunities for seasonal lodging that supports wineries and tourism. Staff said these items will be part of the implementation conversation and that the plan will recommend both policy changes and convening stakeholders to solve common infrastructure gaps.