Recommendation to Albemarle County Board of Supervisors Regarding Private Enterprises at Rivanna Station Futures in Albemarle County

RECOMMENDATION:

The Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce urges the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors to endorse the proposed resolution to allow private enterprise activity to locate at Rivanna Station Futures to meet consumer demand.

This potential colocation with institutional users will foster an environment that stimulates diversified job creation, capital investment, and entrepreneurial opportunity. Such colocation may also reduce traffic demands on North U.S. 29 by providing services and office space adjacent to the institutional employment center.

BACKGROUND:

On May 24, 2023, the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution to authorize the acquisition of real property and related assets by entry into an assignment and assumption agreement, authorizing the county’s acquisition of 462 acres of property surrounding the existing military installation “Rivanna Station.” Albemarle County is currently in the “Due Diligence” phase of the acquisition prior to closing the deal.

The property acquisition process, now known as Rivanna Station Futures, has been voted on and will continue, regardless of the disposition of this resolution. However, IF Albemarle wishes to have the ability to house any private industry on this new defense campus, Virginia State Code dictates they must hold a public hearing and endorse a resolution of intent PRIOR to closing on the property.

Earlier this year, the Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce Defense Affairs Committee published “The Defense Industry’s Economic Impact on the Charlottesville Region.” The study, conducted by the University of Virginia’s Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service, found the defense sector is the second most significant contributor to the regional economy with an annual impact greater than $1.2 billion.

June 20, 2023