Augusta Megasite Proposal
A tractorcade arrives at a Board of Supervisors Meeting.
In 2006, Augusta County residents learned that the Board of Supervisors secretly spent more than $400,000 to study potential for a massive industrial site, purportedly for a Toyota auto plant, at Weyers Cave, a productive agricultural area with no infrastructure. Farmers, open government advocates and smart growth proponents assailed the project as a direct conflict with the County’s own plans to promote sustainable small and medium local businesses and preserve farm land. Even some local manufacturers questioned the project in an area with low unemployment and competition for skilled workers.
Additional Resources
- Balancing Economic Development (PDF)
Comments to the Virginia Economic Development and Workforce Development Meeting from Betty Jo Hamilton, June 24, 2006. Comments suggest support for agriculture; containment of industrial sites to counties where industrial use is permitted and sought by the comprehensive plan; preservation of rural character, historic, and cultural resources for tourism; encouragement of ag-related businesses and state support of PDR programs. - Linking Land Use and Economic Development (PDF)
Letter from Stewart Schwartz of the Coalition for Smarter Growth, recommending seventeen policies to link economic development programs with efficient land use patterns and transportation policies. - Letter to Toyota (PDF)
From Betty Hamilton, expressing citizen opposition to a Toyota mega-plant in Augusta County, despite actions by the Board of Supervisors that would suggest support for such a plant.
Links Referenced
- Balancing Economic Development (PDF)
- http://svnva.org/index.cfm/8,110,305,10/balancing_economic_development.pdf
- Linking Land Use and Economic Development (PDF)
- http://svnva.org/index.cfm/8,110,305,10/200698_letter_secretarygottschalk_econdeveltf.pdf
- Letter to Toyota (PDF)
- http://svnva.org/index.cfm/8,110,305,10/letter_totoyota_bjh_060606.pdf
Location
http://svnva.org/index.cfm/1,110,305,0,html
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