Virginia Municipal League Conference - 2013

Town of Ashland/Hanover CountyTown of Ashland – established 1858 Population – 7,289 Square Miles – 7.2 Total Budget (General, Capital Projects, Unreserved funds) -

$14.9 million Debt free community – Pay-as-you-go Capital Plan

Hanover County- established 1720 Hanover County population – 100,668 Square Miles – 474 Total Budget (All funds including schools) - $372.6 million AAA bond rating by all three agencies

We have had our disagreements

1996 Voluntary Settlement Agreement - annexation lawsuit

In return for allowing the Town to almost double in square mileage, the County took over operations of the Town’s water and wastewater systems. The Town Council also has final say where lines are extended within the corporate limits and received a lump sum cash payment to use for economic development purposes

Political fallout Public perception

However . . . It is getting better The last 10 years the Town & County

have worked hand-in-hand on several projects

Town/County Liaison Meetings County Administrator & Town Manager Expedited review process for

development Utilities, planning, project management

Specific Projects

Dominion Resources Innovation Center www.dominnovation.com (DRIC)

DRIC

Between 5-9 companies incubating since 2009

Tech Challenge Hanover $10,000 prize put up by the business

community Next steps

Regional Buzz!

Mining Prospects

Gold!!!!

Vitamin Shoppe

Vitamin Shoppe Distribution Facility Flagship Center for the East Coast 311,000 square feet 170 new jobs immediately with up to 350

at full capacity Town/County elected officials and staffs

worked together Governor’s Opportunity Fund

Vitamin Shoppe

Vitamin Shoppe

Points to remember

Communicate!!!! Small victories can turn into big victories Find a win-win. There has to be at least

one! Even if the political climate is difficult,

professional staff can help mediate challenges.

Thank you!

Charles Hartgrove, ICMA-CM

Town Manager

www.town.ashland.va.us

@TownofAshland