May 8, 2024: Regional body approves regional economic development strategy; Faculty group to hold town hall on UVA camp removal
Plus: TJPDC's legislative liaison gives a brief preview of Monday's special General Assembly session
If you’re a fan of Wednesday, May has five of them. This is the second. The name comes from the Germanic deity Woden, who would likely be pleased if there are calendars in whatever plane of existence he and his colleagues inhabited or perhaps still do. Charlottesville Community Engagement occupies whatever reality seems to exist as of May 8, 2024. I’m Sean Tubbs, slightly more of a Mercury guy.
In today’s installment:
A group of faculty at the University of Virginia plan their own Town Hall Thursday on the recent removal of an encampment by Virginia State Police
The Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission has endorsed a regional economic development plan that encourages collaboration in the defense, tourism, and health sciences sectors
The TJPDC’s legislative liaison looks back at the 2024 General Assembly and looks ahead to Monday’s special session
Albemarle Supervisors and Charlottesville City Councilors mark May as Older Americans month
First shout out: Charlottesville E-bike Lending Library
In today’s first subscriber supported shout-out also touches on Bike Month. The rolling topography of the Charlottesville area keeps some people away from choosing cycling as an option to get around. Perhaps an e-bike is in order?
That’s where Charlottesville’s eBike Lending Library comes in! E-bikes are a great way to get around the community but there are many brands and styles to choose from. Because many e-bikes are sold online, it can be a challenge to try an e-bike before buying one.
The Charlottesville E-bike Lending Library is a free, not-for-profit service working to expand access to e-bikes in the area. They have a small collection of e-bikes that they lend out to community members for up to a week, for free. You can experience your daily commute, go grocery shopping, or even bike your kids to school, and decide whether e-bikes are right for you. Check out this service at https://www.ebikelibrarycville.org
UVA faculty group to hold online event to give “eyewitness” accounts of removal of protestors
Two days after University of Virginia President Jim Ryan and other administration officials gave their account of the May 4 removal of an encampment on campus, a group of professors and instructors who were on the scene will offer their side of the story.
“This faculty-hosted town hall will address the timeline of events as experienced by those who were at or near the encampment in the days leading up to and during the violent arrests of student and community protesters,” reads a press release from the group UVA Faculty for Justice in Palestine.
The event will take place Thursday from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. via Zoom and will feature video and pictures as well as written evident the groups claim will “dispel confusion.”
“There is serious concern from across the university and Charlottesville community about how the protests were handled by University administrators on Saturday,” the release continues.
Meanwhile, Israeli’s military actions in Gaza continue with the Associated Press reporting that troops seized control of a border crossing at Rafah. (read the story)
For other stories and ongoing coverage about the ongoing conflict, check out the Guardian, the BBC, and Al Jazeera.
TJPDC adopts regional plan for economic development
There are 270,319 people in the six localities that make up the Thomas Jefferson Planning District and the median household income is $81,318. Those are two numbers to monitor over time as economic development efforts continue.
One such effort is something called a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy that has been put together by the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission, a government agency that coordinates all manner of activities across the five counties that surround the city of Charlottesville.
The TJPDC hired Camoin Associates to develop the plan and Alex Tranmer is the project manager.
“Obviously across this region, we’ve got very different priorities and characteristics and factors that affect the entire region so we’re not looking to economic development the same in all of these areas but we are looking to pick up on opportunities that touch multiple parts of the region and really think about sharing resources and amplifying the strengths and assets that the region does have,” Tranmer said.
The document can be used to unlock federal grant opportunities by demonstrating what activities are already underway across localities. The document identifies areas of infrastructure that might be needed such as commercial centers, improved transportation, and places for people to live.
“This is a regional document,” Tranmer said. “It does not supercede or come before any of the local work that’s been done. All of the local economic developers were great in contributing to this.”
In all there are four goals, ten strategies, and 44 actions in the document. Tranmer said this work directs staff on how to coordinate work with each other.
Some of the action steps:
The first under Goal 1 is to “coordinate business development initiatives across North Fork UVA Discovery Park, Greene County, and Rivanana Station.” Albemarle County is to take the lead but the Rivanna Futures initiative that’s underway is not specifically mentioned.
The second under Goal 2 is to develop programs to encourage development of new companies to research and develop “clean” technology. The idea would be to create a “pilot manufacturing” location with assistance from a federal entity called the Manufacturing Extension Partnership.
Action 1.B.2 would be to establish a clinical trials network to “complement the work of the Manning Institute of Biotechnology” which itself is likely to attract pharmaceutical and biotech companies.
Action 1.C.1 would “forge strong connections between outdoor recreation activities and nearby Main Street commercial and service offerings.”
Action 1.C.2 calls for a study to see if the region has enough hotels and other “accommodation options.”
Many of the actions under Goal 2 are about workforce development and retaining talent.
Goal 3 is about placemaking and 3.C.4 is about transit ridership. 3.C.5 calls for identifying parcels along the proposed Commonwealth Corridor route for future economic development.
Goal 4 is about infrastructure including whether the community has enough electricity, water, and sewer capacity to support the dreams of economic development planners.
The TJPDC Board of Commissioners unanimously adopted the document on May 2. After adoption, an “implementation committee” will be created to shepherd the actions in the document. They’ll keep tabs on various metrics.
The Thomas Planning District is within the jurisdiction of the Central Virginia Partnership for Economic Development which is the support agency for “Growing and Opportunity Virginia Region 9.” The Rappahannock-Rapidan Regional Commission is also in District 9, and their draft Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy is now under review. Take a look here.
Second shout-out: Camp Albemarle
Today’s second subscriber-supported public service announcement goes out to Camp Albemarle, which has for over sixty years been a “wholesome rural, rustic and restful site for youth activities, church groups, civic events and occasional private programs.”
Located on 14 acres on the banks of the Moorman’s River near Free Union, Camp Albemarle continues as a legacy of being a Civilian Conservation Corps project that sought to promote the importance of rural activities. Are you looking to escape and reconnect with nature? Consider holding an event where the natural beauty of the grounds will provide a venue to suit your needs. Visit their website to view the gallery and learn more!
TJPDC legislative update: Charlottesville gains ability to increase Council salaries
There are five days until the General Assembly returns to Richmond for a special session to finish up legislative work in 2024. The Commissioners of the Thomas Jefferson Planning District got an update last Thursday.
When the General Assembly session ended in early March, the House and the Senate had adopted a budget. Before the veto session on April 17, Governor Glenn Youngkin had made several amendments to the revenue and spending plan but the legislature did not complete their work.
“The Governor and the General Assembly decided to take a step back,” said David Blount, the TJPDC’s legislative liaison. “They are supposedly talking now trying to come up with some agreements on a budget for the next two years, next two fiscal years.”
Blount said both sides will have to first agree to the total amount of revenues with disagreement continuing on the levying of a digital services tax. Then he said work can begin on finalizing appropriations.
One looming question in the budget is whether additional funding to help fight harmful algae blooms at Lake Anna as well as a capital request from Greene County related to the creation of a new reservoir at White Run.
Meanwhile, several bills have been adopted by both Chambers and signed into law by Governor Youngkin.
“The City of Charlottesville had a successful legislative initiative to increase the [salary] caps for City Council members, something that hadn’t been done in twenty-some years,” Blount said.
Under the new legislation, Charlottesville’s Mayor can earn up to $37,000 a year and Councilors can get up to $34,000 a year.
However, Blount said legislation failed that would have allowed localities to hold referendums on a one-cent increase in the sales tax to pay for school construction. Youngkin vetoed the bills and Blount expected them to come back against next year.
Several bills were floated this year to put limits on the ability of localities to place restrictions on utility-scale solar installation. All were passed by in 2024 pending further study and Blount said it’s too early to tell what will happen next.
“I think you’re going to have advocates on both sides of the issue and if there’s going to be some compromise, it doesn’t come until late this year heading into the next session,” Blount said. “If there’s no compromise then you go and do battle again.”
Both Louisa County and Fluvanna County are among the localities that want local control over solar fields.
JABA director marks Older Americans Month
May is Older Americans Month, an occasion that’s been marked with proclamations by elected bodies throughout Virginia. The idea is to make people aware of resources and support that may be available for those who are in advanced years as well as those who provide eldercare.
JABA was founded in 1975 as the Jefferson Area Board for Aging and executive director Marta Keane said this is a good time to consider the demographic changes underway in Albemarle given that the percentage of people over the age of 65 is growing.
“The theme for this year, Powered by Connections, is so very appropriate,” Keene said. “Albemarle really facilitates a lot of connections between agencies that work to help seniors and creating situations and activities that support seniors.”
When it was time for the Albemarle Board of Supervisors to adopt their proclamation, Rio District Supervisor Ned Gallaway read a poem by Maya Angelou called On Aging. You’ll be able to hear that in the podcast version whenever it’s produced.
Five days later, Keane appeared at Charlottesville City Council where Mayor Juandiego Wade read from the city’s proclamation.
“Charlottesville recognizes how, through their wealth of life experience and wisdom, older adults guide our younger generations and carry forward abundant cultural and historical knowledge,” Wade read.
“The theme of Older Americans Month is ‘Powered by Connection’ recognizing the profound impact that meaningful relationships and social connections have on our health and well-being and the vital role that connectedness plays in supporting independence and aging in place by combating isolation, loneliness, and other issues,” Wade continued.
Wade encouraged people watching and listening to think about the older people in their lives.
Keane thanked Council for their support for both JABA and for tax relief for elderly residents who qualify.
Reading material:
Protestors left outraged following UVA town hall, Gretchen Stenger, CBS19, May 7, 2024
Shortened stay: Quirk Hotel to undergo rebrand following $24M sale, Catie Ratliff, C-Ville Weekly, May 7, 2024
'He was just the salt of the earth' | Friends remember pilot killed in private plane crash, Matthew Torres, WUSA9, May 7, 2024
Forty applicants vying for Shenandoah medical marijuana license, Beth Jojack, Virginia Business, May 7, 2024
Away with #675
There are so many stories I still want to get to from the recent week.
What did Albemarle Supervisors say with regard to $2 million in funding for Piedmont Housing Alliance for 60 units at Premier Circle Phase 2?
What corrective actions must Charlottesville do to get back in the good graces of the Virginia Department of Transportation?
What’s happening with that house that got knocked down on Park Plaza in North Downtown?
I’m a one-person information outlet who declares proudly that I am not the only game in town. There are many two or three dozen people who get paid to write stories about this area and I wish that amount was double. Every single day I get to the end of the week and wonder: How can I write more? How can I hire people to cover the nuts and bolts of this complex civilization we live in, but barely understand?
I started this operation nearly four years ago because I felt there were a lot of things that were going unwritten. In 2018, the new management at the organization I worked for thought my approach to journalism did not fit what they wanted to do. I’d helped build the place up through 11 years of hard work. It happens. Sometimes things aren’t fair and you move on.
I’ve been at this now for four years and I’m convinced more than ever we need so many more accounts of what’s happening, but not just about one or two stories. I don’t want people to have blind trust in my work, but I hope to continue earning the trust of those who don’t yet know me.
Paid subscribers keep this going. Join them if you want to see more stories on more topics that seek to capture a lot of what’s happening. Yes, it’s a Sisyphean approach and I’m not sure Woden would think and I’m not sure how to get in touch with him.
And if you join those paid subscribers, Ting will match your initial subscription. That can be at the $5 a month level, the $50 a year level, or the $200 a year level. If you have any questions, drop me a line.
Ting can help you with your high speed Internet needs. If service is available in your area and you sign up for service, enter the promo code COMMUNITY and you will get:
Free installation
A second month for free
A $75 gift card to the Downtown Mall
The economic development segment was updated shortly after posting to remove a reference to CvilleREA being associated with one of the action steps. See the other comments for more details.
The committee had no one from CBIC, Cville BioHub,or anyone from the technology sector. Camion also ignored the sector when economic partnership did their plan 5+ years ago. They have a major blind spot. This is hardly an eco development plan, much less a comprehensive one.