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Regional economic development group pitches VA—s Heartland Alliance, asks counties to consider $2.50 per-residence fee
Summary
Alex McCoy of Virginia's Heartland Alliance described a regional economic-development effort, grant-supported feasibility work and a proposed $2.50 per-residence annual membership fee; he invited Amelia County to join regional site and business-park studies and potential EDA/Tobacco Commission grant work.
Alex McCoy (S12), executive director of the Virginia's Heartland Regional Economic Development Alliance (VAHA), presented the organization—s goals: build a regional identity, develop public-private partnerships, and pursue grant-supported site and business-park studies. He said a feasibility study and investor outreach shaped four core goals and that VAHA has begun business-retention-and-expansion visits and coordination with VEDP and Virginia Career Works.
McCoy described a proposed funding model of $2.50 per residence; using 2024 census population figures he cited, he said Amelia County—s share would be approximately $34,400 annually. He invited the board to participate in a pending regional grant and site-competitiveness study and noted VAHA has been recognized by the Virginia Economic Development Partnership as a regional economic development organization. Supervisors asked about value and geographic fit for Amelia and expressed both interest in grants and concern about return on investment for a small county.
Why this matters: regional economic-development partnerships can leverage state and federal grants and consultants that small counties cannot individually fund, but supervisors weighed the county—s likely return relative to the proposed dues.
