[The] second part of the question dealt with do we have suf-
SAMUEL MILLER DISTRICT
ficient land for commercial and industrial development with-
What are your
in the designated growth areas….I think generally the answer
Madison Cummings (D)
to that is yes. We have three million square feet of approved
Well, I served on the [Charlottesville Albemarle Technical
unbuilt commercial [space] in our growth areas today, and
priorities for
Education Center] board as I mentioned for seven and a
that is a stock of available commercial space that will last
half years and CATEC’s advisory board of businessmen in
this community a long time. We have areas that can be re-
the trades helped show the way for workforce development
developed to add commercial space. There is a current ex-
economic develop-
and came to the CATEC board when they saw an opportunity
pansion as I mentioned earlier being applied for at the
to address some of the issues of availability of more work-
University Research Park. Fontaine Research Park is applying
force opportunities. [Piedmont Virginia Community College]
ment and workforce
for an expansion. Those are already approved developments
also does an excellent job in this, both school systems con-
in the growth area that are going to add land and redevelop
tribute talent to developing curriculum. In some cases de-
in ways that add density….
sign to aid development of workforce….
development in
We should be also encouraging affordable housing for our
RIO DISTRICT County workforce and I think we are doing that but we can
Albemarle? Do we
David Slutzky (D)
do a lot more in that area particularly police, fire rescue, and
Incumbent
educators.
The land available for office, commercial, and industrial de-
have sufficient land
At a time like this where the economy is in a very tumultuous
place, economic vitality is even more important than usual.
velopment within the growth areas…. There is available land
People need jobs. We need to stimulate the economy to get
in the growth areas though not enough land sellers [willing
to not] sell it for commercial. They are hoping to find a better
for office, commercial
things going again. To get property values back, to get families
with enough money to be comfortable and not worried. So
deal if they sell it to developers or other entities. The way to
economic development and basically economic vitality has to
encourage this is to take a very strong stand as I just did
earlier on not expanding the growth areas boundaries. So
and industrial
be a top priority of the governing body.
once people are convinced that the growth area is going to
In my last four years I have actually, as environmentalists go,
stay as is, then those areas that are available for commer-
been fairly consistently supportive of economic growth. I don’t
cial will be used.
development within
want to see growth for growth’s sake, but I happen to value
economic vitality. And so I have worked hard to concentrate
John Lowry (I)
the designated
growth in the growth areas, but then encourage it to occur,
and I have worked hard to create jobs….I had a lot to do with
This question comes right to my uniqueness as a candidate.
our successful efforts to get a grant to stimulate an energy ef-
I am chair of the Economic Development Authority of the
growth areas?
ficiency program that has been estimated will create some-
County….We have done $500 million in bonds in the last six
where between 900 and 1,500 new green jobs locally….
or seven years since I have been chair and those bonds with
So if we were to encourage employers to move into our com-
the County's name on it have created jobs and its capital
munity and we were to accommodate them it not only cre-
and it's good for this community. Now the authority is not an
ates jobs, it creates economic vitality, but it also would im-
economic development office, the County does not have an
JACK JOUETT DISTRICT
prove our tax ratio and reduce pressure on residential prop-
economic development office, we don’t have a listing in the
Dennis Rooker (I)
erty owners.
telephone directory, we don’t have a website.
Incumbent
Do we have enough land in the growth area to satisfy that
Every other City and County, of any consequence in this
state has an [economic development] office and we need a
I think we need to continue to work with the University of
potential need? Yes and no. I think it depends upon the
director and a small staff. They don’t have to be new people,
Virginia as it seeks to expand its research facilities in the
business category you are speaking of. The one I am most
they can be people that are cross-trained, and I can already
Fontaine Research Park and the University [North Fork]
concerned about is light industrial where I think we have lost
think who the director would be for the County although
Research Park. That’s the type of growth and development
a lot of light industrial to more intensive uses in the last few
that's not my call. But it’s someone who is already working
that will be an attractive addition in our community, will
years. And I think we might need to think meaningfully about
where we could accommodate light industrial uses here in
for the County and this [office] could create jobs.
provide high paying jobs. With the [National Ground
Albemarle County, and that’s going to be one of the chal-
Intelligence Center/Defense Intelligence Agency] expansion
lenges going forward.
So that’s the answer really, we need to have economic activity
at Rivanna Station there will be a significant increase in in the growth area and it’s a tax base that’s waiting to happen.
private government contractors that locate here to be close [Albemarle is] a wonderful place to live. [We should] invite
to that facility…. Rodney Thomas (R) businesses here that would provide jobs and revenue....
Challenger
We are also, I think, the leader in healthcare in the state.
With the expansion at UVA Hospital and the new Martha I would like to see the expansion of [the Charlottesville
Duane Snow (R)
Jefferson hospital campus, many new healthcare jobs will be Albemarle Technical Education Center] in order to help with
Prepare an economic development plan that will encourage
added. It’s important that we continue to plan well for growth workforce development. As I said earlier,for the next 4 years,
business growth, this is the weakest slice of our tax rev-
that is coming into this area, protect our important environ- I see little need for expanding the growth area given
enues. I have anecdotal evidence that we need more light
mental and aesthetic features and invest in education and Albemarle’s low growth rate and current economic condi-
industrial zone areas, but this needs more investigation.
enhancing our citizen’s quality of life. Those are the reasons tions. We must keep Albemarle business friendly by keeping
that our community has been recognized as one of the best taxes low. Higher taxes, crowded roads, and increasing regu-
places in America to do business by nationally recognized lations will do little to attract new jobs. I will work to make
services…. Albemarle government more business friendly than it is now.
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