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South Hill adopts ordinance to join Route 58 regional industrial authority; county action required to finalize
Summary
The South Hill Town Council voted 8–0 on March 10 to adopt an ordinance creating the Route 58 Activation Corridor Regional Industrial Facility Authority, but the authority will not exist until Mecklenburg County adopts an identical ordinance and the Secretary of the Commonwealth files certification.
The South Hill Town Council on March 10 adopted an ordinance to create the Route 58 Activation Corridor Regional Industrial Facility Authority (RIFA), a joint vehicle with Mecklenburg County intended to pool local resources for a new industrial park along Route 58.
Town Manager Keli Reekes opened the public hearing, during which resident William Lewis asked for a clearer description of the proposed location and raised concerns about potential taxpayer contributions, traffic and right‑of‑way challenges and the need to diversify industrial park sites. Despite those concerns, the council voted 8–0 to adopt the ordinance; the roll‑call vote was recorded in the minutes.
The ordinance, drafted under the Virginia Regional Industrial Facilities Act (Chapter 64 of Title 15.2 of the Code of Virginia), requires two additional conditions to take effect: Mecklenburg County must adopt an identical ordinance and both ordinances must be filed with the Secretary of the Commonwealth. The ordinance text included a clause that the RIFA ordinance will be void if those conditions are not satisfied by Dec. 31, 2025.
Council members supporting the ordinance said the authority would allow the town and county to develop economic‑development projects on a regional basis, while at least one resident urged more detail and safeguards about costs and traffic impacts. The council directed the Town Manager and Mayor to execute the Member Locality Participation Agreement and file required documents if and when the County takes matching action.
Next steps: the Town will notify Mecklenburg County and file the ordinance with the Secretary of the Commonwealth; the authority will be lawfully created only after the county adopts a matching ordinance and the Secretary certifies the filings.
