New Keny County, Virginia

tells me at every monthly staff meeting we’ve set another record for issuing single-family housing permits.” A population increase also means new skillsets being added to the workforce. And demographics among new residents are changing from mostly retirees to a lot of people in their 30s with young children. It’s the best of both worlds: years of experience along with fresh ideas. One aspect of an increasing rural population is the importance of connectivity. Smolnik admits, “Implementing high-speed internet is vital. We’re still a rural community, and we have many home-based businesses. How do you work from home without high-speed Internet?” New Kent is working towards a broadband initiative implementing high-speed fiber internet in every home. The last year proved that high-speed internet isn’t a luxury but an everyday necessity. “These are the times where we’re teaching our kids from the dining room table,” says Smolnik. “Broadband is a must in this community.” Although the county has yet to construct its first green building, the Dominion Energy Solar Farm came online about three years ago. This green initiative helps reduce fossil fuel emissions, along with six wildly popular bike routes. Smolnik admits, “We don’t have a walkable community because there isn’t the density. But we’re the first locality in Virginia with a fully mapped bike route. The routes range from 15 to 100 miles, starting from my office at the New Kent Visitors and Commerce Center. While working at my desk, I see the bikers, so I run out to talk. There was a group from Michigan who Googled ‘cycling in Richmond’ and New Kent came up. It’s a success story to hear that.” Along with the biking routes, there’s hiking and mountain bike trails throughout the County. The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) owns and maintains two areas of public land totaling 3,100-acres. They’re used for camping, bird watching, fishing, and hunting. NEW KENT COUNTY , V I RGINI A Courtesy of Meghan Marchetti