“Historically, the County Economic Development Department focused on new business attraction, but the Board of Supervisors see the benefit of expanding that focus to include Goochland’s existing business base and enhancing tourism” said County Administrator John Budesky.
To accomplish this, the County promoted Sara Worley to focus on existing business retention and expansion. Worley, a fourteen-year veteran of the Goochland Community Development Department, led the efforts in renovating the Community Development Customer Service Center to be more citizen and business friendly. The County also hired Casey Verburg from North Carolina to focus on new business attraction. Verburg brings over eleven years’ experience in economic development on a municipal and County level. In addition, the County’s Parks and Recreation department will oversee tourism efforts.
Goochland County Economic Development Team, Casey Verburg (left) and Sara Worley (right) in the Economic Development Department office.
The newly structured department will offer the following services to business and citizens:
- New business startup assistance
- Connections to business mentorship and incubator programs
- Commercial land and building search for companies looking to expand or locate in Goochland County
- Labor market information
- Utility cost analysis
- Permitting assistance for companies looking to expand or locate in the County
- New business announcements and ribbon cutting
- Existing business training sessions
- Existing business expansion support
- Workforce coordination and training
- Posting of commercial and industrial properties and buildings on the Economic Development website
To promote Goochland County and its businesses, the department now has a social media presence. You can find Goochland County Economic Development on the following media platforms:
In addition to restructuring the department, the Goochland County Board of Supervisors and the Goochland Economic Development Authority are updating the County’s Economic Development Strategic Plan. The last plan was adopted in 2012 and focused on recruiting new business to the County. The new plan will align with the recent restructuring and expand support to Goochland’s existing business base and increase tourism. The new plan will be available for public review early this summer.
Furthermore, with the adoption of the 2020 budget, the Board of Supervisors adopted several measures to spur economic growth in the County. The Board simplified the business license tax schedule by eliminating the business license fee for businesses with gross receipts less than $10,000 and created a personal property tax rate for data centers at $0.40/$100. Lastly, the Board decreased peddler’s fees to spur entrepreneurship and further business investment.
The Economic Development Department is currently located in the County Administration Building on the main floor in Suite 230. Future plans for the Economic Development Office include an anticipated move into a new building with the Goochland County Chamber of Commerce to create a Goochland Business Center where staff can hold seminars and information sessions for existing businesses and create synergy in the business community.
Give the Economic Development Department a call today at (804) 556-5862 or visit www.goochlandforbusiness.com to learn how the Economic Development department can help expand or relocate your business to Goochland.
