JAMES CITY - The county has been awarded a $20,000 grant from Gov. Bob McDonnell’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund, according to a release. The county is one of 11 projects to receive funding and one of only four jurisdictions to receive full grant funding as a single locality.
The county's Rural Economic Development Committee will use the money over the next year to develop a plan to grow local agricultural businesses."I am pleased that the County applied for this grant, and along with the Board, I am excited to see the results moving forward," said John McGlennon, Board of Supervisors chairman, in a release. "James City County is known for its rural beauty and agricultural tradition. This grant recognizes that rich history and provides us with help in identifying how to make the best use of these assets and enhance the rural economy."
According to a statement from McDonnell’s office, “(James City) County boasts many agricultural and forestry assets, and has undertaken a number of individual efforts to promote them, but never has the county taken a comprehensive look at how to protect, support and leverage these assets. The need is particularly important for the County, with development pressures coming from its east and west. This effort is just the type of project the ... program was designed to engender.”The creation of the fund was part of McDonnell's jobs-creation and economic development agenda during the 2012 session of the General Assembly. The Governor’s budget allocates $250,000 annually.
The county's Rural Economic Development Committee, a subcommittee of the Economic Development Authority made up of local government personnel, local business leaders and agricultural producers, is spearheading the project with the help of both the Office of Economic Development and the Planning Division.
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