expensive as stick-built,” she notes. “The difference with stick building is that we provide opportunities to hire local subcontractors and labor. So, we’ll probably try some of both.” The organization pivoted from plans for multifamily housing due to development costs. “We decided we’re going to switch to homeownership. We feel that’s more important for Emporia and will stabilize Emporia by having more homeownership opportunities,” Bowser explains. INFRASTRUCTURE, INCENTIVES, AND OPPORTUNITIES Despite recent setbacks, Emporia maintains significant advantages for business development. The city owns 37 acres at the Norwood site along Highway 58, where 60,000 vehicles pass daily, plus nearly seven acres in its industrial park. Private developers control another 35 acres in the same park, all within an enterprise zone offering substantial incentives. “Right now, it’s free water and sewer hookup and building permit fee waivers for that district,” Beck emphasizes. “If anyone wants to build here in Emporia, get them to give us a call.” The economic development office fields inquiries at 434-634-5056, promoting sites that include the vacant Charah building, formerly Quick Cret’s cement facility, ready for commercial or industrial use. Four and a half acres of commercial land remain available behind the new Chick-fil-A location. Infrastructure readiness sets Emporia apart from many small cities. “If you’re in the downtown area, we are infrastructure ready.There’s water and sewer throughout downtown,” Johnson confirms. “We’ve done some improvements to our water and sewer infrastructure. We’re also seeking grant funding for water and sewer to run down Route 58.”The Norwood site offers fiber connectivity alongside highway access, positioning it for logistics, manufacturing, or data-intensive operations. Beck focuses on achieving Tier 4 certification for the Norwood property while marketing existing assets. “We’re working on road access design to the Norwood site. It sits right on Highway 58 where we have 60,000 cars come through a day. There is fiber there as well,” she says. “We’re hoping to attract a business that brings jobs to the area with the recent closing of one of our larger facilities.” RESPONDING TO ECONOMIC CHANGE Georgia-Pacific’s May closure delivered a gut punch to Emporia, eliminating 550 jobs in a city of fewer than 6,000 residents. Combined with Boar’s Head’s 2024 shutdown in neighboring Jarratt, the region lost over 1,100 positions in less than a year. Yet city leaders refuse to surrender to despair, instead 7 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 07 EMPORIA, VA
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTI5MjAx