Expert urges fiscal alliance

VERONA — A consultant recommends that Augusta County and the Greater Augusta Regional Chamber of Commerce jointly fund and hire a director of an economic partnership who would work to assist existing businesses, encourage entrepreneurs and improve the county’s readiness for economic development.

Those are the conclusions of John Rhodes of the consulting firm of Moran, Stahl & Boyer. Rhodes made his report on the county’s economic development strategy to the Augusta County Board of Supervisors and other county boards Wednesday night.

Rhodes said the proposed Greater Augusta Economic Partnership’s public/private nature would allow the director to raise money and coordinate with area employers by accessing the chamber’s membership.

The consultant said one of the most pressing issues the new official would face is Augusta County’s readiness for economic development.

“The county needs to improve its readiness with utilities, labor and land,’’ Rhodes said.

He said much of the best industrial land now belongs to farmers, and said the prime land in both Weyers Cave and Stuarts Draft lacks the appropriate sewer connections.

Augusta County also needs to construct more buildings that can be used for industry, he said.

Ideally, Rhodes said, Augusta County should be positioned “to pursue small to mid-sized companies’’ rather than large ones.

From the labor viewpoint, Rhodes said 3,000 to 4,000 of the county residents are traveling to neighboring counties such as Rockingham and Albemarle instead of staying in Augusta County to work.

Rhodes said the director of the economic partnership would work closely with existing industries to serve their needs, and coordinate with area high schools and colleges on workforce training.

Board of Supervisors Chairman Larry Howdyshell said a committee composed of two board members and a member of the county’s Industrial Development Authority will now look at what can and can’t be done based on Rhodes’ recommendations.