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EDA reports progress on Riverside housing, daycare plan; county authorizes support for a Duffield prospect
Summary
The Economic Development Authority reported continued work with developer Solendi on the Riverside workforce housing project and said the Virginia Tobacco Commission has awarded $100,000 for infrastructure; the board later authorized staff to sign documents supporting an undisclosed Duffield prospect after closed session.
John Killwood, speaking for the Economic Development Authority, updated the board on several development projects, including the Riverside workforce housing site and a business‑ready site effort in Duffield.
Riverside: Killwood said Solendi, the developer, is revising its housing application after benchmarking with other projects to strengthen a future Virginia Department of Housing application. The Tobacco Commission approved a $100,000 infrastructure grant to support roads, water, sewer or broadband to the Riverside site, and the developer is also working on plans for an on‑site daycare. Killwood said a daycare plan is under development and the county will not own the building; the developer and tenant arrangements remain to be finalized.
Duffield and business sites: The EDA submitted a Business Ready Site characterization application to update environmental and archaeological studies at a Duffield site (a Level 2 business‑ready classification that can be upgraded), and Killwood encouraged continued engagement with Virginia Economic Development Partnership and regional partners. The EDA reported $114 million in private investment in Duffield to date and said the agency is working with nine prospects.
Pioneer Center and other work: The EDA is pursuing grants to replace the Pioneer Center roof and reported grants and match funding activity from other state programs. The EDA also reported continued small business support, including RBEG/RBDG loans and seed‑capital grants.
Closed session outcome: After a closed session the board voted to certify the meeting and authorized the county administrator and chairman to sign any and all documents related to an undisclosed prospect in Duffield. The motion carried by voice vote.
