Representatives of the Central Virginia Partnership for Economic Development briefed the Nelson County Board of Supervisors on regional economic developments and workforce work that CVPED says could benefit Nelson County.
Helen Coffin told the board CVPED — a public‑private partnership covering Nelson through Louisa and up to Culpeper — marked nearly 30 years of activity and highlighted a recent AstraZeneca announcement and significant data‑center projects nearby. Coffin said large projects create supplier and warehousing opportunities that may boost regional economies and described a new Central Virginia Innovation Corridor strategic roadmap spanning Planning Districts 9 and 10.
Coffin introduced Katie Delaney, CVPED talent director, who described talent and internship efforts, including wage‑matching internships for the beverage industry and outreach to UVA and Piedmont Virginia Community College. Delaney pointed supervisors to a regional livingcentralva.org website used to market localities for attraction and retention efforts and asked county staff to continue engagement with CVPED on site readiness, workforce ties and potential implementation grants.
Supervisors asked questions about site readiness and opportunity zone eligibility for Lovingston; CVPED said many companies prefer existing buildings and ready‑to‑go sites and offered to meet with county staff to discuss site development and grants that help move sites to higher readiness tiers.
What’s next: CVPED offered to work with county staff and local economic‑development partners to identify site readiness steps, workforce connections and possible grant opportunities to position Nelson County for supplier and small‑business benefits tied to larger regional investments.