Brunswick and Greensville Counties’ awards will support site development and boost business competition in the rural VGA region.
On August 8th, 2024 the VGA counties of Brunswick and Greensville were awarded $1 million and $8.5 million respectively under two Virginia Business Ready Sites Program (VBRSP) grants for their Stonewall and MAMac sites.
The VBRSP grant program supports the development of business and industrial sites and promotes economic growth across the state. The funding given to the VGA sites will shorten timelines for the sites to be ready for outside businesses that will further support business growth and economic diversification in the VGA region and the state as a whole.
The $1 million grant awarded to Brunswick County’s Stonewall site will be used to create necessary utility improvements for Stonewall to become business ready. The $8.5 million award for Mid-Atlantic Advanced Manufacturing Center (MAMaC) will be used to create a 1-million gallon elevated tower that will provide the required pressure and quantity for mandatory fire suppression systems, onsite wastewater pump station, and force main to provide conveyance of wastewater at the site. These necessary features will establish MAMaC as a site that can be operation ready within reasonable timelines and with lower associated risks.
The development of these sites far outreaches the sites themselves. Alfreda Jarett Reynolds, Director Economic Development, stated that “this investment is a testament to the confidence our state stakeholders have in our continued efforts to drive economic growth and create job opportunities in Brunswick County. This initiative is expected to significantly enhance local economic opportunities, create jobs, and attract new businesses to the region”.
James Brown, Chair of the Greensville County Board of Supervisors stated that the award “enable[s] [Greensville] to realize our vision and commitment to enhance the quality of life in our region where opportunities thrive, industries can grow, and every individual can look forward to a brighter tomorrow… Once complete, the MAMaC site will impact a reach of 60+ mile radius and create a great gain for the region as well as the Commonwealth. We would like to thank the Commonwealth for your generous support”.
Finally, Natalie Slate, Director of Economic Development for Greensville County spoke to the unique characteristics of rural Virginia as a location for development, saying “ Rural Virginia is a great location for large investors. There is access to vast utilities, the Virginia ports, fiber that provides a global reach, and all with low operational costs. Brunswick and Greensville County have prioritized developing sites to attract new investment. The VBRSP awards show positive support from the state for the viability of rural communities in the Commonwealth.” William Johnson, Chair of the MAMaC RIFA described the reward as “a big win for Greensville County, Southside, and the Commonwealth of Virginia.”