Economic and Community Development

  Nelson County is blessed to have a vibrant tourist and recreation-based economy. This provides low impact uses that both citizens and visitors can enjoy without fear of depleting the value of the natural resources that form the basis of our tourism. Wintergreen Resort, the Appalachian Trail and our National Forests all serve us beyond the range of their boundaries.

  Most of the county is either forested or farmed. These lands support the economy through protecting valuable water, forest, and food resources. I have always kept an eye on the county landscape so that we can maintain increasing value to our economywhile protecting against resource extraction that might compromise it.  We are graced with significant water resources but with limited water infrastructure. For eight years I have served on the Board of Directors of the Nelson County Service Authority, and I know how limited infrastructure limits economic development opportunities. Expanding our access to water resources and expanding our water infrastructure in Lovingston and points south is an investment in the future of the county. It can open the door to creating housing and to create economic advantages for county residents.

In the Rockfish Valley, water infrastructure is owned by a private company. I believe that the county should consider the economic and community benefits of local ownership of these resources.I was a huge advocate of the Wild Rose Solar Project near Gladstone.  This project will provide enough energy to power the entire county without the economic, social and environmental costs of fuel to do so.  Besides bringing much needed revenue to the county, it may open the door to the county becoming energy self-sufficient in the future.

  Our county schools are the largest single employer in the county.  Investment in our schools is a direct investment in economic development, as well as supporting social and community prosperity.

  Our Community Centers—Rockfish Valley Community Center, The Nelson Center, The Heritage Center, Fleetwood Community Center, Schuyler Community Center, and Gladstone Senior and Youth Community Center—are valuable community assets where people meet and pool their individual resources on behalf of the community.  County investments in our community centers are likewise direct investments in building and sustaining our communities.