News Articles

The Chesterfield Economic Development Authority (EDA) announced that Collins Enterprises will develop the initial phase of the residential and commercial properties for the proposed mixed-use development on the site of Spring Rock Green on Midlothian Turnpike.

Collins will be responsible for developing 300 residential units, 27,000 square-feet of commercial space and a secure, enclosed parking facility during the first phase of the project. The total investment from Collins for this portion of the project is approximately $75 million.

“Our vision is to establish a destination community for people to live, work, shop and play. The streets will be walkable and have open spaces weaving throughout the development. People will be drawn to the high quality residential, shopping, restaurants and entertainment that creates an exciting overall experience,” said Art Collins, President of Collins Enterprises.

Development Plan

The first phase is expected to be the mixed-used building labeled with the number five.

Collins has been nationally recognized for development projects across the country. They have been involved in scores of successful projects including Palmer Square in New Jersey and Harbor Plaza in Connecticut. Collins has assisted cities redevelop their downtowns, with recent examples being Hudson Park in Yonkers, NY and the Freemason Harbor projects in Norfolk, VA. This mixed-use development project is another opportunity for Collins to partner with the Chesterfield EDA to realize the potential of this underdeveloped gateway property.

Leslie_Haley

Midlothian Supervisor, Leslie Haley

“Having a developer with the track record of success as that of Collins Enterprises will ensure that our vision of a vibrant, mixed-use community will be done right,” said Midlothian District Supervisor Leslie Haley. “This project will represent both a gateway for the county and a signature destination place that our residents have been seeking for some time.”

The project is currently going through the land-use approval process with the Chesterfield County Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors. Pending approval from those bodies, construction could begin in the late summer of this year and should be completed in mid-2024.

Collins was initially drawn to the property due to its central location within the region as well as ease of access to the site and potential to connect the highly successful Boulders and Stonebridge developments.

Media Contacts

Arthur Collins
Collins Enterprises
Phone: (203) 541-1301
Email: acollins@collins-llc.com

Garrett Hart
Chesterfield Economic Development
Phone: (804) 318-8550
Email: hartga@chesterfield.gov

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Major Natural Gas Pipeline Contractor Expands in Chester

Southeast Connections, LLC, a leading natural gas pipeline contractor, is expanding to Chesterfield County with a new office and equipment yard in Chester, VA. This is the 17th permanent location for Southeast Connections and second in Virginia.

“We are honored and excited to expand our operations footprint to the Richmond area and Chesterfield County,” said Southeast Connections President Kyle Ormsby. “Our work in the community will focus on helping our customers build new infrastructure and replace aging systems, with a focus on environmental responsibility and safety at the forefront.”

The new location is located at 13201-A Ramblewood Drive. It includes a 4,000 square foot warehouse and shop, as well as a large equipment yard. Southeast Connections expects to initially hire more than 35 new employees as part of the expansion, with plans for future growth. Chesterfield County Economic Development (CCED) assisted in finding the location.

“Southeast Connections will be a great addition to the county because they will not only create new jobs for our residents, but they will also provide another component to the many infrastructure projects occurring in the region,” said Tina Shreve, Senior Project Manager, CCED.

Chris Winslow, Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors Chair said, “We are thrilled to welcome a new business to Chesterfield County. We are grateful that Southeast Connections chose the county, and as a result have also added critical services to our community.”

“With these new opportunities, our teams are hard at work as we expand our operations to recruit, onboard and train talented new employees,” said Eric Walters, Virginia Area Manager for Southeast Connections. “At Southeast Connections, we believe in growing careers as we build America’s infrastructure. We are currently hiring for a wide range of roles from operations field positions to back-office support.

To learn more about working for Southeast Connections, contact the recruiting team at recruiting@seconnections.com or 1-888-261-5411 or visit seconnections.com/careers.

Contact: Tina Shreve, Senior Project Manager, Chesterfield County Economic Development, shrevet@chesterfield.gov or 804-318-8564.

BS_St_Francis_Rendering

Bon Secours leaders and associates recently joined together for a “Pop the Top” celebration to mark the kickoff of construction on a vertical expansion of Bon Secours St. Francis Medical Center in Chesterfield County. The nearly 179,000-square-foot renovation and expansion includes the addition of 55 acute care beds, including nine obstetrical beds, four intensive care beds, 42 medical/surgical beds, 10 observation beds and an ancillary services expansion through the renovation of existing hospital space as well as a two-story vertical expansion.

“We are thrilled to mark the official kickoff of construction of our hospital expansion today as we continue our pursuit to better meet the growing health care needs of our patients in Chesterfield County and the surrounding areas,” said Joe Wilkins, president of Bon Secours St. Francis Medical Center. “These additional beds will provide greater capacity and access for our patients and will ultimately enable Bon Secours to continue to provide quality, compassionate care for this growing community now and well into the future.”

Chesterfield County is the fastest-growing county in the Richmond metropolitan area. St. Francis Medical Center is located in the heart of this large area of population growth in Midlothian, and it serves patients in surrounding counties, including Chesterfield, Powhatan, Amelia and Cumberland/Nottoway. St. Francis’ planned expansion is a response to an increased need for inpatient beds from patients for medical, surgical, obstetrical and intensive care, stemming in part from increased complexity of inpatient services and population growth, especially growth in the population of ages 65 and older who require more inpatient care than other age groups. This expansion will help meet a growing need for the community and will increase access to the hospital’s innovative resources, outstanding clinical staff and exceptional patient care.

This project, totaling 178,869 square feet, will involve the renovation of 69,169 square feet of existing space as well as 109,700 square feet of new construction. New construction will include a two-story expansion over the current critical care tower. This expansion will increase the hospital’s capacity to a total of 185 licensed beds and will include the following:

  • Expansion of obstetrical beds from 21 to 30 beds
  • Expansion of intensive care beds from 16 to 20
  • Expansion of NICU from 10 open bays to 11 private rooms and three bays
  • Expansion of medical/surgical services by adding 42 new medical/surgical beds
  • Addition of 10 observation beds which will allow for clinical decision care to be provided on a dedicated unit, reducing the number of observation patients occupying a licensed inpatient bed
  • Expansion of pre-admission testing, which will allow Bon Secours to see additional patients more efficiently before surgery to support improved surgical outcomes
  • Relocation of an open MRI to St. Francis Medical Center’s campus, which will be the only Bon Secours open MRI south of the James River

This $108 million expansion received Certificate of Public Need (COPN) approval in 2019, and construction is expected to be complete in early 2024.

In 2021, Bon Secours broke ground on an 11-bed freestanding emergency department located 19 miles away in Chester that will serve as an extension of St. Francis Medical Center. This will be the fourth freestanding ED operated by Bon Secours in Richmond, which is expected to open later this year.

$17.7 Million Operation Will Create 300 New Jobs

Governor Ralph Northam today announced that Starplast USA, subsidiary of Israeli company Starplast will invest approximately $17.7 million to develop a new manufacturing facility in Chesterfield.

Starplast USA produces a wide range of high-performance plastic products, like plastic housewares, garden storage, and toys. Virginia successfully competed with Ohio and Pennsylvania for the project, which will create 300 new jobs over five years.

“We are so pleased to see global manufacturers like Starplast USA planting their roots right here in Virginia,” said Governor Northam. “Our strategic East Coast location, world-class port facilities, competitive operating costs, and robust manufacturing workforce, make us a prime destination for international companies. We welcome a long partnership with Starplast USA and look forward to their future success.”

Starplast USA was founded in 2005 as a subsidiary of Starplast, based in Israel. Established in 1958, Starplast is a family-owned company with a wealth of experience and a long-standing commitment to superior plastics. The company partners with customers to create a wide range of attractive, high-quality products that include drawer carts, laundry hampers and baskets, storage decorative bins and baskets, food storage, kitchen organization bins, garden deck boxes, and outdoor toys.

Starplast Product Lines

After gaining recognition in Israel for value, quality, and innovation, Starplast entered the global plastics market in the 1970s. Since 1976, over 90% of production has been exported to Europe, North America, Australia, and Japan. Starplast USA established its first manufacturing facility in Houston, Texas in 2018, allowing the company to respond optimally to the needs of major U.S. retailers.

“More than 400 advanced materials companies have chosen Virginia for its diverse ecosystem of suppliers, innovators, and customers and its business friendly climate, and we are excited to have Starplast USA join us here in the Commonwealth,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Brian Ball. “Starplast has a strong history in developing quality plastics products, and we thank the company for creating 300 new jobs in Chesterfield County.”

“Starplast chose Chesterfield County for its new manufacturing operation because the geographic location is very attractive, especially given its proximity to the East Coast and the Port of Virginia,” said Starplast Chief Executive Officer Danny Schwartz. “Additionally, Virginia – and in particular the Richmond area – has a strong workforce with readily-available talent.”

Starplast will retrofit an existing building near Meadowville Technology Park.

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Chesterfield County and the Greater Richmond Partnership to secure the project for Virginia and will support Starplast USA’s job creation through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program, which provides consultative services and funding to companies creating new jobs in order to support employee recruitment and training activities. As a business incentive supporting economic development, Virginia Jobs and Investment Program reduces the human resource costs of new and expanding companies.

Virginia Jobs and Investment Program is state-funded, demonstrating Virginia’s commitment to enhancing job opportunities for citizens. The company is eligible to receive benefits from the Port of Virginia Economic and Infrastructure Development Zone Grant Program, as well as benefits from the Major Business Facility Job Tax Credit for new, full-time jobs created.

“We appreciate Starplast choosing Chesterfield for its advanced plastics manufacturing operation,” said Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors Chair Jim Holland. “The unique product line that will be created here in Chesterfield County will not only help grow our local economy, but also show off our community’s stellar workforce capabilities.”

“Greater Richmond welcomes Starplast to the region’s international business community of more than 220 facilities,” said Greater Richmond Partnership President and Chief Executive Officer Jennifer Wakefield. “The company’s facility in Chesterfield – and first in Virginia – will help Starplast reach 45% of the U.S. population within one-day’s delivery.”

“Starplast USA is another example of Virginia’s growing manufacturing base that is taking advantage of The Port of Virginia’s global reach,” said Virginia Port Authority Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director Stephen A. Edwards. “We are preparing to further expand our capacity and are deepening our channels and these investments, combined with others to come, will ensure companies like Starplast USA can always move their cargo across our terminals safely, reliably, and with confidence. We are looking forward to a long and collaborative partnership with Starplast USA.”

“I am proud to support Starplast USA’s decision to select Chesterfield County to build a new manufacturing facility that will provide 300 new jobs and invest $17.7 million into the community,” Senator Joseph Morrissey. “Additionally, I will always support businesses, such as Starplast USA, that strive to produce eco-friendly and sustainable products. I applaud Starplast USA for its selection of Chesterfield County and have no doubt that this project will be successful.”

“I am pleased to welcome Starplast USA to Chesterfield,” said Delegate Carrie Coyner. “With this decision to invest in our community, Starplast acknowledges Chesterfield’s ongoing commitment to deliver quality services to both corporate and individual residents.”

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Shamin Hotels, Inc. is moving forward with a 250-room upscale, full-service hotel and conference center at the Stonebridge Development in Chesterfield county. The Embassy Suites hotel and conference center is increasing in size from original plans and will add new amenities since it was originally announced in July 2019. 

The plan being submitted includes a 25,000- square-foot conference center, a 12,500 square foot ballroom, a 10,000 square-foot indoor/outdoor terrace as well as a resort-style swimming pool with an outdoor bar. The original plan was for a 200-room hotel, 10,000-square-foot conference center and did not include outdoor amenities. 

“We are excited to be moving forward with a best-in-class hotel and conference center in Chesterfield county,” said Neil Amin, Chief Executive Officer of Shamin Hotels, Inc. “In a post-pandemic world, travelers are increasingly searching for outdoor gathering areas and amenities, and we are pleased to incorporate these features in our conference center hotel at Stonebridge. This project comprises the best attributes of all of the full-service hotels we have purchased or developed.”

Shamin Hotels owns 66 hotels in five states and has invested more than $1 billion in Virginia since its first investment in 1979. Shamin is the largest hotel owner in the Commonwealth and one of the 10th largest hotel owners in the country. The Stonebridge development represents an additional $125 million investment in Chesterfield county by Shamin and 150 new employees.  

“The addition of a 25,000-square-foot conference center is a game-changer for Chesterfield,” said County Administrator Joe Casey. “This will be the largest hotel conference center south of the James River and will help us attract larger events and meetings in an upscale environment.”

The project will be located directly across from the newly-announced mixed-use development project on the site of the existing Spring Rock Green Center across Midlothian Turnpike. 

Leslie_Haley

Board of Supervisors Representaive Leslie Haley

“The project builds on the success of Stonebridge and the momentum we are seeing in this part of Midlothian. With the addition of the mixed-use development to the north and enhanced connectivity with the Boulders, this area is quickly becoming one of the most exciting areas in the region,” said Board of Supervisors Representaive Leslie Haley. 

The hotel will also enhance the growing sports tourism market in Chesterfield. The Spring Rock Green redevelopment recently announced that an ice rink and sports entertainment facility will be an important component of that project. Stonebridge includes Richmond Volleyball Club, the largest volleyball facility in the Greater Richmond area, which hosts a number of tournaments throughout the year. 

“The new hotel complements the exciting rise of sports tourism in the region and Chesterfield, including the proximity to the existing volleyball and future hockey facilities,” said Jack Berry, President of Richmond Region Tourism.

A state-of-the-art ice tournament facility will anchor the sports and entertainment venue at the planned Midlothian-Chippenham Gateway development in northeastern Chesterfield County.

The facility will help the Richmond region establish stronger youth hockey and ice-skating programs, strengthen sports tourism by bringing tournaments to the region, and serve as a fun entertainment venue for all residents through open skating and Learn to Skate programs.

Ice hockey

The facility will be the only venue in the Greater Richmond area featuring two NHL-size ice rinks. This is important because two rinks are needed to attract larger youth hockey tournaments to Richmond. Plans will include seating and amenities appropriate to host tournaments and special events, and will put Richmond in the top ranks of venues in the Mid-Atlantic.

The Chesterfield County Economic Development Authority (EDA) is currently finalizing plans with an operator who will manage the facility. The EDA intends for the operator to work cooperatively with other regional ice rink facilities and owners to strengthen regional youth hockey and skating programs and be a more attractive site for youth hockey tournaments, figure skating and other ice related events/competitions and family fun.

Skating

“Richmond Region Tourism is very excited about this new development, which would add to our sports tourism infrastructure. The area needs additional indoor hockey regulation-sized sheets of ice to be attractive to hosting hockey tournaments, figure skating competitions, as well as serving a need for our residents. This is fabulous news!” said Richmond Region Tourism President & CEO Jack Berry.

The location in the new thriving mixed-use community provides opportunities for broader community enjoyment. In addition to being a place residents can skate, the EDA envisions a destination site for people to enjoy with food and entertainment venues.

Chesterfield County has been at the center of the Richmond region’s success developing sports tourism programs. The River City Sportsplex has become one of the East Coast’s most popular venues for youth field hockey, lacrosse and soccer tournaments on the East Coast. The Richmond Volleyball Club’s presence at the neighboring Stonebridge development has also been a major success and hosts a number of state and regional tournaments. Swim RVA includes the pool that was used for the Olympic trials in 2008 and has become a major venue for swim tournaments.

The EDA will release additional details when a final agreement is reached with the operator.

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About Chesterfield Economic Development
Chesterfield Economic Development works on a free and confidential basis with domestic and foreign companies planning to establish new facilities, relocate existing facilities, or expand current facilities. The department also assists existing businesses and industries already located in Chesterfield with any business-related issues. CED staff members will assist with site selection requirements, information and research needs, public relations and relocation services, small business issues, or streamlining regulatory processes. For more information visit: www.chesterfieldbusiness.com

Media Contacts
Matt McLaren
Chesterfield Economic Development
Email: mclarenm@chesterfield.gov
Tel: 1.804.833.8445

Mike Laing
ECI Development Management Services, Inc.
Email: mikelaing@ecidev.com
Tel: 1.804.788.0589 ext103

Building on the success of the adjacent Stonebridge project which was re-developed from the former Cloverleaf Mall, the Chesterfield County Economic Development Authority (EDA) is working with the Board of Supervisors to purchase a property on the northwest corner of Midlothian Turnpike near Chippenham Parkway for a vibrant, new mixed-use development featuring high-quality residential, office, commercial and entertainment venues.

The project will revitalize the area between Stonebridge and the Boulders office park and residential complexes to the west.

At the center of the development will be an open, green plaza/gathering space that will be an ideal location for concerts, farmers market, festivals and public events. The 42-acre site will include abundant green space, walkability and connectivity.

Leslie_Haley

Board of Supervisors Representative, Leslie Haley

“Chesterfield residents are seeking new options to live, work, shop and play in a central location. This proposal gives the county another quality mixed-use development at the eastern gateway to the county, that will serve as a destination for residents and visitors,” said Board of Supervisors Representative Leslie Haley. “The project will create a strong sense of community, integrate attractive greenspaces, and celebrate the area’s unique history, while creating jobs and generating significant tax revenue for the county. The project will also add connectivity to the Boulders,” Haley said.

It’s anticipated that the Board of Supervisors will approve a request to schedule a public hearing August 25th at their regularly scheduled board meeting today to consider funding the $16 million purchase. In addition to the public hearing, there will be other opportunities for public comment as the property goes through the zoning process in the coming months.

The EDA has hired the internationally recognized Cooper Carry architectural firm to assist with design of the site. Cooper Carry has extensive expertise working on projects of this type, and will incorporate best practices from other highly successful projects in their plans.

“Cooper Carry has worked on projects around the world and we immediately recognized the potential for this site,” said Cooper Carry representative Abbey Oklak. “People want fun, activity- oriented destinations, and this has the potential to be a central gathering place for the county.”

The project, which is consistent with the County’s Comprehensive Plan, will be constructed in multiple phases. The first phase will include residential apartments, commercial space, restaurants, an office building, a festival-like common area and a large sports tournament and entertainment venue. The second phase will add townhouses, more commercial space, another office building, entertainment venues, and an expanded central festival square. The EDA is currently working with top level private developers on specific parts of the project and more detailed information will be available prior to the August board meeting.

“As the private development interests in this property are zoned and sold by the EDA, the remaining county investment is for the relocation of a nearby police precinct to a much more visible and accessible location and consolidation of a new school board office to best maximize student space and programs at the Chesterfield Career and Technical Center,” said County Administrator Joe Casey.

The site has excellent transportation access, with close proximity to the Chippenham Parkway. The site is also on the GRTC public transportation route. Plans include constructing a new road access into the Boulders office park, thereby creating a direct connection between these important developments.
The project will include walking and biking trails, abundant greenspace, wide streetscapes and the county’s first structured parking to promote walkability, safety and convenience.

The area near the project offers a rich history, including the Beaufont Spring House, built in 1896, which launched a series of spring water companies and later manufactured carbonated soft drinks, beer and ice throughout the early 1900’s. The area was reimagined again in the 1950’s, when it was transformed into a thriving entertainment, event and recreational space featuring volleyball, basketball, horseshoes, and a dance pavilion. The project will honor this unique history, with easy access to the historic springhouse and revival of the area as a community gathering space.

The current site is home to several commercial entities. The businesses in the outparcels directly along Midlothian Turnpike will not be impacted. For those occupying parts of the project site, there will be a transition period for purposes of relocating the businesses to other locations or potentially in the new development. The Chesterfield Economic Development Department will work with the existing tenants to discuss relocation options.

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Purchase Creates Opportunities for Enhanced Experiences at River City Sportsplex

At its meeting on June 23, 2021, the Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors approved the transfer of $5 million dollars to the Chesterfield County Economic Development Authority (EDA). The funds will be used by the EDA to purchase the former Southside Speedway property at the intersection of Genito Road and Oak Lake Boulevard.

The 47.139-acre property, which consists of three parcels straddling Genito Road, is currently zoned for General Business (C-5) uses. The land purchase is part of a plan to expand the nearby River City Sportsplex and attract complementary uses along that section of Genito Road. The purchase price for the property is $4.5 million.

The strategy is to develop the property to enhance and maximize the experience of visitors and county residents that visit or use River City Sportsplex. 

River City Sportsplex is the leading tourist draw in the region, bringing approximately 120,000 visitors and $56 million dollars in economic impact to the region annually. 

River City Sportsplex’s 12 synthetic turf fields also get considerable daily use by local sports organizations through affiliations with the county’s Parks and Recreation Department.

 “The River City Sportsplex is a vital tourism asset to the region and the county. The purchase of Southside Speedway presents an opportunity to continue to increase the footprint of the Sportsplex while honoring the history of a beloved local institution,” said Clover Hill District Supervisor Chris Winslow. “The closure and sale of the speedway presents a chance to continue to support River City as a tourist destination with the added benefit of spurring additional development in this strategic location in Clover Hill.”

The vision for the property includes a mix of uses that are likely to incorporate public facilities, retail, and services that will be used by visitors to River City Sportsplex as well as residents in the surrounding area. 

The EDA will work with the Planning Department, Parks and Recreation, the Planning Commission, and the Board of Supervisors on developing a master plan for the property. 

The development plan will strive to be complimentary to “The Lake”, a proposed mixed-use project under development directly across Route 288 from River City Sportsplex.

Throughout the planning, zoning, and redevelopment process there will be numerous opportunities for public participation. Chesterfield’s Planning Department has been deliberating on the creation of a Genito Road Small Area Plan, which would include this property in the geographic scope of the plan. This would be one of the earliest opportunities for public input. 

The EDA anticipates this development will be a public-private partnership that will increase the tax base and create jobs. The EDA expects to sell or lease portions of the property to private sector companies, similar to the process used for the successful redevelopment of the former Cloverleaf Mall, now known as Stonebridge.

“The EDA looks forward to the opportunity to work with the Board of Supervisors, the county, and the community to develop this property to its full potential, supporting new taxes and new jobs while continuing to position River City Sportsplex as a top sports tourism destination,” said John Cogbill, Chairman of the Chesterfield Economic Development Authority.

In addition to the purchase of Southside Speedway, the EDA has negotiated a letter of interest with the owners of Chesterfield Auto Parts to redevelop that site as part of the master plan development.

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Campus includes LEED Gold Certified 250,000 Square Foot Building Featuring Up to 25 Megawatts of IT Load Capacity, immediately available for deployments

Digital Fortress a multi-tenant and wholesale data center provider with 10 facilities throughout the US, announces the immediate availability of hyperscale-ready space in its Chesterfield County, Virginia data center.

The LEED Gold Certified facility is the company’s latest Tier III data center facility, featuring a 250,000 SF building located in the network convergence capital of the US. The facility features day one availability of 18,270 SF raised floor hot/cold aisle design data center space with 4.1 MW of IT load, with an additional 200,000 SF shell core expansion space supporting up to 25 MW of power, deployable in just twenty-weeks.

Recently acquired adjacent land in Meadowville Technology Park supports multiple purpose-built data centers totaling up to 100 MW of power available on site, enabling ongoing scalability and growth.

With immediate space available, Digital Fortress Richmond features Tier III data center design with N+1 concurrently maintainable UPS and fully distributed redundant and uninterruptible power supply. Located in Meadowville Technology Park, equi-distant from Ashburn, VA and Virginia Beach cable landing stations, Digital Fortress Richmond provides connectivity with a newly constructed east/west, fully diverse multi-duct fiber system just 4ms of one-way latency to major connectivity hubs.

“We are excited to offer Digital Fortress’ industry-leading data center solutions at an entirely new scale in the burgeoning Richmond, Virginia market,” comments Juan Saca, CEO of Digital Fortress. “This state-of-the-art, highly sustainable facility is the epitome of data center design, capable of supporting hyperscale demand with scalable capabilities from day-one.”

Jim Holland, Chairman of the Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors

“Digital Fortress offers businesses the opportunity to support their digital and compute infrastructure needs with an impressive and ready-to-go facility including Class A office space supporting up to 120 employees,” adds Jim Holland, Chairman of the Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors. “We welcome Digital Fortress and look forward to the positive impact to our growing data center services market and opportunities for businesses to access industry- leading services to aid in their digital transformation.”

Today, Digital Fortress operates ten data center and colocation facilities in Chicago, Denver, Lynwood, Piscataway, Portland, Richmond, and Seattle. Digital Fortress Richmond’s LEED Gold Certified Tier III data center provides feature-rich capabilities to support enterprise and hyperscale business needs with availability immediately.

Virtual tours of the Digital Fortress Richmond, VA facility are available. For more information about Digital Fortress visit: www.digital-fortress.com.

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About Digital Fortress
Digital Fortress is a fast-growing multi-tenant and wholesale data center provider offering colocation, network, and cloud access services to large and mid-size enterprises. Since 1994, the company has expanded its nationwide footprint through both organic and inorganic strategies now operating nine SSAE SOC 1 and II, PCI, and HIPPA compliant facilities in Seattle, Portland, Denver, Chicago and New Jersey. In 2021, the company acquired a wholesale data center in Richmond, VA offering N+1 concurrently maintainable configurations with up to 25MW of expansion capabilities. All Digital Fortress facilities are carrier-neutral with 24/7 on-site support. For more information visit: www.digital-fortress.com.

Media Contact
Taylor Terlizzi
iMiller Public Relations
Email: dfortress@imillerpr.com
Tel: 1.914.315.6424

About Chesterfield Economic Development
Chesterfield Economic Development works on a free and confidential basis with domestic and foreign companies planning to establish new facilities, relocate existing facilities, or expand current facilities. The department also assists existing businesses and industries already located in Chesterfield with any business-related issues. CED staff members will assist with site selection requirements, information and research needs, public relations and relocation services, small business issues, or streamlining regulatory processes. For more information visit: www.chesterfieldbusiness.com

Media Contact
Matt McLaren
Chesterfield Economic Development
Email: mclarenm@chesterfield.gov
Tel: 1.804.833.8445

Online auto retailer plans to build a 191,000-square-foot vehicle inspection and reconditioning center, projecting over 400 new jobs

Carvana (NYSE: CVNA), the leading e-commerce platform for buying and selling used cars, plans to invest $25 million to establish a new 191,000-square-foot vehicle inspection and reconditioning facility in Chesterfield County with the potential to create over 400 new jobs.

Carvana inspection center in Phoenix

Carvana previously announced the project locating in Chesterfield, but during the COVID-19 pandemic the company paused the project. Due to sustained growth, the company engaged in another nation-wide site search and once again selected their original project location. Carvana intends to break ground on construction this quarter with a scheduled spring 2022 completion. 

Carvana, the fastest-growing auto retailer in the U.S., allows customers to shop more than 20,000 vehicles on Carvana.com, finance, purchase, then select as-soon-as-next-day delivery or Car Vending Machine pickup. Carvana vehicles are inspected, reconditioned and photographed in 360-degrees at its inspection centers, like the one planned in Chesterfield County, so customers get a detailed, high-definition virtual tour of every vehicle. Additionally, every vehicle comes with a 7-day return policy, so the customer can live with their vehicle for a week and ensure it fits their life.

“Carvana has been growing extremely rapidly over the last several years, and we are working to bring The New Way to Buy a Car® to even more customers all the time,” said Carvana Vice President of Inventory Strategy Brian Boyd. “As part of our efforts to scale the business, we’re looking forward to working with Chesterfield County to open a vehicle inspection and reconditioning center and becoming a member of the community.”

“Chesterfield has long worked to attract globally-recognized businesses, and Carvana will be a strong addition to our corporate roster,” said Chesterfield County Board Chair Jim Holland. “Carvana’s new facility in Chesterfield County will provide access to strategic logistics connections, along with a well-trained, business-ready labor force to support Carvana’s continued development.”

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Contact:
Matt McLaren
Chesterfield County Economic Development
804-318-8550
mclarenm@chesterfield.gov

Company Investing $9 Million in 56,000 Square Foot Expansion Creating Up to 50 New Jobs

Super Radiator Coils is expanding its footprint and adding jobs at its current manufacturing facility located at 451 Southlake Boulevard in northern Chesterfield County. Super Radiator Coils (SRC) is a specialty coil manufacturer for industries such as power generation, the military, data center cooling, food processing and many more.

The 56,000 square foot expansion will be the third for SRC since its establishment in 1980. Currently, SRC employs around 210 workers and plans to add up to 50 additional opportunities with competitive pay.

“Our team here at Super Radiator Coils has worked hard to build a thriving manufacturing and engineering operation in Central Virginia,” said Matt Holland, Vice President of Operations for SRC’s Richmond division. “The components we make enable the mechanical equipment that powers our world. This investment in Chesterfield County will enable us to continue in that mission.”

Chris Winslow, Board of Supervisors (Vice Chair) representing the Clover Hill District where SRC is located said, “We are so pleased to have such a quality manufacturer here in Chesterfield that provides valuable careers to our residents, especially now in a time when it is really needed. I want to thank Super Radiator Coils for their continued investments in our community.”

Jim Holland, Board of Supervisors (Chair) said, “We are very excited to see a manufacturing facility expand operations in Chesterfield. We’re grateful that Super Radiator Coils has chosen to expand in Chesterfield County and add critical services and commodities to our economy.”

“I have worked with Matt Holland and the team at Super Radiator Coils for some time now and have always been impressed by their dedication to quality operations and their employees. Through our Business First Program, which reveals issues and opportunities for companies operating in the County, we were able to bring valuable resources to SRC and assist in this expansion project,” said Tina Shreve, Senior Project Manager, Chesterfield County Economic Development.

Super Radiator Coils will commemorate the occasion at 2 p.m. on Monday, April 12th with a shovel ceremony, remarks, and a facility tour.

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Super Radiator Coils Contact:
Matt Holland, VP of Operations
804.378.1349
www.superradiatorcoils.com

Chesterfield County Economic Development Contact:
Tina Shreve, Sr. Project Manager
804.892.1043
www.chesterfieldbusiness.com

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), in consultation with the Treasury Department, announced that the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) will re-open the week of January 11 for new borrowers and certain existing PPP borrowers.

To promote access to capital, initially only community financial institutions will be able to make First Draw PPP Loans on Monday, January 11 and Second Draw PPP Loans on Wednesday, January 13. The PPP will open to all participating lenders shortly thereafter.

Updated PPP guidance outlining Program changes to enhance its effectiveness and accessibility was released on January 6 in accordance with the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Non-Profits, and Venues Act.

This round of the PPP continues to prioritize millions of Americans employed by small businesses by authorizing up to $284 billion toward job retention and certain other expenses through March 31, 2021, and by allowing certain existing PPP borrowers to apply for a Second Draw PPP Loan.

Key PPP updates include:

  • PPP borrowers can set their PPP loan’s covered period to be any length between 8 and 24 weeks to best meet their business needs;
  • PPP loans will cover additional expenses, including operations expenditures, property damage costs, supplier costs, and worker protection expenditures;
  • The Program’s eligibility is expanded to include 501(c)(6)s, housing cooperatives, direct marketing organizations, among other types of organizations;
  • The PPP provides greater flexibility for seasonal employees;
  • Certain existing PPP borrowers can request to modify their First Draw PPP Loan amount; and
  • Certain existing PPP borrowers are now eligible to apply for a Second Draw PPP Loan.
  • A borrower is generally eligible for a Second Draw PPP Loan if the borrower:
    • Previously received a First Draw PPP Loan and will or has used the full amount only for authorized uses;
    • Has no more than 300 employees; and;
    • Can demonstrate at least a 25% reduction in gross receipts between comparable quarters in 2019 and 2020.

Key Differences between Round One and Round Two

Any business that did not receive a PPP loan previously, or those businesses that experienced a 25% reduction in revenue in one quarter of 2020 over 2019, can apply for this new round of PPP.

Businesses, sole proprietors, and independent contractors applying for loans of $150,000 or less and based on the same calculation as round one—2.5 times one-month of 2019 payroll—do not have to submit new documentation if applying through the same lender.

New groups of eligible business, in this 2nd round, include 501c(6) organizations like chambers of commerce, nonprofits and religious entities, and local news organizations. These loans are also capped at $2 million.

The new law also carved out additional benefits for restaurants, hotels, and other businesses under the NAICS Code 72. These businesses can calculate their loan amount by multiplying one-month of 2019 payroll by 3.5 instead of 2.5, thus receiving more funds. This also applies to seasonal businesses and those without 12 months of operating history. Further, for restaurants and hotels with multiple locations, as long as each one has fewer than 300 employees, each individual location may apply for a separate loan. The maximum loan amount across all locations, however, is capped at $4 million.

In addition, the new law earmarked $15 billion in straight grants that do not need to be repaid for live entertainment venues, which were some of the hardest hit businesses due to Covid shutdowns. These businesses include theaters, museums, and zoos. It also includes businesses that represent performers.


Additional resources:

SBA Round Two PPP https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options/paycheck-protection-program

US Treasury Round Two PPP https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm1230

FAQ for Round Two PPP https://www.ghjadvisors.com/blog/faq-paycheck-protection-program-round-two-ppp-2

Forbes/All Business Round Two PPP Information https://www.forbes.com/sites/allbusiness/2021/01/08/new-guidance-issued-on-next-round-of-ppp-loans-an-overview-for-small-businesses/?sh=1a19ff9235eb


Local resources and contacts:

Eric Glymph, Financial Strategist/Founder
EDGe Business Planning
804-833-1792
Blog Link: https://www.edgebusinessplanning.com/financialedge/categories/edge-covid-19-resources
Webpage: www.EDGeBusinessPlanning.com


Local Banks Currently Offering PPP Loans

Chesapeake Bank
Davis Yonce, AVP, Regional Business Development Officer
804-939-6403
DYounce@ChesBank.com


Virginia Community Capital
Leah Fremouw, VP, Director of Community Innovations
804-939-6167
sba-ppp@vccva.org


Village Bank
Cindy Hodges, VP, Commercial Relationship Manager
804-419-1467
chodges@VillageBank.com


Fulton Bank
https://www.fultonbank.com/CARES-ACT


TOWNEBANK

Angie Collins
Senior Vice President, Private Banking Officer
9961 Iron Bridge Road
Chesterfield, VA 23832
Office: 804.324.2724
Cell: 804.349.3400
Fax: 804.425.7466
angie.collins@townebank.net

Betsy Lacy
Vice President, Commercial Banking Officer
9961 Iron Bridge Road
Chesterfield, VA 23832
804-324-2720
Cell: 804-801-6319
betsy.lacy@townebank.net

Ralph J. Martinez
VP, Commercial Banker
9961 Iron Bridge Rd
Chesterfield, VA 23832
Office: 804.324.2719 Fax: 804.477.600
Cell: 317.833.6248
ralph.martinez@townebank.net

Omaryz Martinez
Branch Manager
9961 Iron Bridge Rd
Chesterfield, VA 23832
Phone: (804)748-9700 | Fax: (804)425-7466
Omaryz.Martinez@Townebank.net

 

Chesterfield EDA Purchases Area Known as Upper Magnolia

Leslie Haley

Chair of the Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors Leslie Haley

At their regular meeting on December 16, 2020, the Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to provide funding to the Chesterfield County Economic Development Authority (EDA) for the pursuit of future economic development opportunities.

Chair Leslie Haley stated, “There are precious few large acreage sites in Chesterfield for the county to better manage growth and focus on jobs-centric opportunities and related amenities. The EDA should continue, with deliberate speed, negotiations with willing sellers for the next opportunities.”

With such funding, the EDA has purchased 2,057 acres in western Chesterfield, known as Upper Magnolia, from Salvatore Cangiano for $13 million.

Upper Magnolia was previously approved in 1991 for a 1,336-unit residential development and includes land for the Cold Creek subdivision, which is approved for 311 single-family building lots.

With this EDA transaction, such previously approved zoning would now be the county’s to control and better manage. John Cogbill, Chair of the EDA stated, “The value of an EDA in having so many good business relationships and knowing the vision of the Board enables it to act professionally and swiftly, and we look forward to working with the citizens and county further in shaping long-term plans for this great area.”

The property has been marketed to receptive buyers at prices higher than the county’s offer, but through the efforts of the EDA and a shared vision of the property owner, an agreed-upon price was negotiated.

“The Board of Supervisors’ swift action to throttle back expenses at the onset of COVID created one-time savings in the FY20 budget that are now being reinvested to acquire an asset that will further strengthen the county’s financial position for decades to come,” said Matt Harris, Deputy County Administrator.

This purchase is a long-term investment for the land use planning of this important area of the county. The property includes a large section of the right of way needed for the extension of the Powhite Parkway to Hull Street and several important intersections.

This is a key parcel in determining how this area of Chesterfield will look in 10 to 20 years.

The purchase allows the county control so it can:

  • Manage growth and development of the property in ways that are an improvement over the current permissible zoning
  • Allow for public dialog on the most appropriate uses
  • Focus development on the opportunity to create jobs and commercial investment closer to where people live, and not just residential homes
  • Allow for more effective and efficient planning and development of roads, utilities, and public facilities, including multiple school sites
  • Allow for more effective environmental stewardship of the Swift Creek watershed
  • Control the routing of Powhite extension

Extensive engineering on the infrastructure and roads serving the property, including Otterdale Road, had already been performed by the prior property owner. Related improvements to Otterdale Road have recently been funded and incorporated into Board approved plans to alleviate flooding currently being experienced. Additional funding and plans are also being pursued for full remedy.

“Upper Magnolia represents one of the best opportunities for us to regain control over the current large-scale traditional residential development to plan for better land use options, including creating quality jobs so more of our citizens can locally commute shorter distances,” said Joe Casey, County Administrator.

Kevin Carroll, Board Supervisor of the Matoaca District, where the property is located, stated, “Purchase of this property, under such favorable terms, allows us to begin to solve some of the issues in this area while presenting a tremendous opportunity for exceptional long-term community planning, public facilities and amenities in the future through public processes.”

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About Chesterfield Economic Development: Chesterfield Economic Development works on a free and confidential basis with domestic and foreign companies planning to establish new facilities, relocate existing facilities, or expand current facilities. The department also assists existing businesses and industries already located in Chesterfield with any business-related issues. CED staff members will assist with site selection requirements, information and research needs, public relations and relocation services, small business issues, or streamlining regulatory processes.

Chesterfield Economic Development
Contact: Garrett Hart
Phone: (804) 318-8550
Email: hartga@chesterfield.gov

 

Applications for the third round of “Back in Business” grants are now being accepted. Applications will close at 5 p.m. on Friday, November 20, 2020. Applications will be accepted through a secure online portal at https://webportalapp.com/sp/chesterfieldbib

Businesses can go to ChesterfieldBiB.com to find program eligibility criteria and the Terms and Conditions of the program.

 

 Round 3 Applications Begin November 12, 2020

The Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors announced in May 2020 that the county would use $5 million of its Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act Federal funding to create a small business relief fund that would aim to get direct funding to those businesses most impacted by COVID-19.

Round 1 of the funding closed on June 18, 2020, and specifically targeted businesses that were not eligible or able to receive any funds from the federal stimulus program. Round 1 also targeted businesses that were more likely to be able to keep people employed, to bring employees back to work, or add new jobs. Round 1 recipients are listed here.

Round 2 of the funding closed on July 2, 2020. Businesses that received prior assistance through the federal programs were eligible to apply. Round 2 also allowed for a larger range of annual gross revenues to qualify and adjusted the grant awards on a sliding scale, based on the size of the business applying. Round 2 recipients are listed here.

Round 3 of the county’s “Back in Business” Grants will open November 12, 2020. New criteria will enable the grants to be available to a broader segment of Chesterfield’s small businesses, including non-profits. Round 3 will also allow for a larger range of annual gross revenues to qualify. Grants in Round 3 will be awarded on a sliding scale, based on annual revenues. With these changes to the criteria, the county expects a robust third round of funding.

Under CARES Act guidelines, funds are meant to reimburse businesses for the costs of business interruption caused by required closures due to COVID-19. The grant can be used for:

  • Employee compensation (including wages and benefits)
  • Working capital
  • Equipment Inventory
  • Rent
  • Other business-critical operating expenses
Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for Round 3, a FOR-PROFIT business:

  1. Must be a for-profit business entity with a place of business located in Chesterfield County;
  2. Must have a current Chesterfield County Business License or be exempt from BPOL but subject to local business tangible personal property, machinery and tools tax and/or real estate taxes;
  3. Must be able to provide a copy of a 2019 filed federal tax return;
  4. Must have at least $30,000 but no more than $6 million in annual gross revenues;
  5. Must be able to demonstrate at least a 25% loss in revenue that can be attributed to COVID-19 through a Financial Statement of Impact spreadsheet;
  6. Franchisees DO NOT need to be headquartered in Chesterfield County but are eligible for only one grant, regardless of the number of locations in the County.
  7. Businesses that have received other funding assistance, including PPP and/or EIDL are eligible. (NOTE: businesses that received a Chesterfield County BIB grant in Rounds 1 or 2 or received a Childcare Provider Grant are not eligible.)

To be eligible, a NON-PROFIT business:

  1. Must be a non-profit business entity with a place of business located in Chesterfield County;
  2. Must be able to provide a copy of a 990, SS-4 or 147C IRS Form;
  3. Must have annual revenues, contributions and/or sponsorships of at least $30,000 but no more than $6 million;
  4. Must be able to demonstrate at least a 25% loss in revenue that can be attributed to COVID-19;
  5. Businesses that have received other funding assistance, including PPP and/or EIDL are eligible. (NOTE: non-profit businesses that received a Chesterfield County BIB grant in Rounds 1 or 2 or received a Childcare Provider Grant are not eligible.)

What businesses are NOT eligible to apply?

  1. Businesses that received a Chesterfield County BIB grant in Rounds 1 or 2 or received a Childcare Provider Grant are not eligible.
  2. Independent contractors operating multilevel or network marketing businesses (such as Avon, Mary Kay, 5LINX, Pampered Chef, etc.) are not eligible to apply.
  3. Independent contractors working on gig platforms (such as Airbnb, Fiverr, Uber, Lyft, Instacart, etc.) are not eligible to apply.
  4. Businesses engaged in speculation or investment in rental real estate.
  5. Businesses determined to be ineligible under SBA guidelines: https://www.sba.gov/partners/lenders/7a-loan-program/terms-conditions-eligibility#section-header-19

Grant amounts will be awarded to eligible businesses on a sliding scale, based on Annual Gross Revenues:

  • Annual Gross Revenues of $30,000 to $49,999 are eligible for a grant in the amount of $5,000;
  • Annual Gross Revenues of $50,000 to $199,999 are eligible for a grant in the amount of $7,500;
  • Annual Gross Revenues $200,000 to $6 million are eligible for a grant in the amount of $10,000.

Applicants will be required to demonstrate that they are eligible, that they were operational pre-COVID-19, and that they are suffering negative impacts from COVID-19 closures. Applicants will be asked to provide:

  • An IRS W-9
  • A copy of 2019 filed federal tax return (For-profit) or a copy of a 990, SS-4 or 147C IRS Form (Non-profit)
  • A Financial Statement of Impact (FSI) form
  • A Profit and Loss Statement confirming numbers entered on the FSI

Information on additional documentation that will need to accompany the application and the link to the online application will be posted on www.ChesterfieldBIB.com. 

###

About Chesterfield Economic Development: Chesterfield Economic Development works on a free and confidential basis with domestic and foreign companies planning to establish new facilities, relocate existing facilities, or expand current facilities. The department also assists existing businesses and industries already located in Chesterfield with any business-related issues. CED staff members will assist with site selection requirements, information and research needs, public relations and relocation services, small business issues, or streamlining regulatory processes.

About Chesterfield Chamber of Commerce: To be the champion for the business community, fostering growth and development, transformational relationships, and a thriving environment in Chesterfield County. To learn more about our organization and how we can be “Your Key to Business” please visit www.chesterfieldchamber.com or call 804-748-6364.

Media Contacts

Chesterfield Economic Development
Contact: Karen Aylward
Phone: (804) 318-8550
Email: AylwardK@chesterfield.gov

Chesterfield Chamber of Commerce
Contact: Danielle Fitz-Hugh
Phone: (804) 924-2243
Email: danielle@chesterfieldchamber.com

DuPont Specialty Products USA Will Lease New 133,039 SF Facility

Devon USA has announced the commencement of construction of its latest distribution facility on Bellwood Road in Chesterfield County, Virginia.

The 133,039 sq.ft. building will be leased by DuPont Specialty Products USA, LLC, and managed by XPO Logistics.

“The DuPont Spruance site is thrilled to continue to work with the James River Logistics Center (JRLC) in the distribution of our products, which positively impact people all over the world. The JRLC’s expertise allows us to continue to invest in the Richmond community and help us meet the needs of our global customers,” said David Johnson, DuPont Spruance Leader.

Devon-USA-JRLC-Buidling-4-Pad-Site

Site development on the project was started in the summer of 2020, following the completion of a 320,960 sq. ft. Delivery Station for Amazon.com on the adjacent site.

This will be the final building in the James River Logistics Center. The combined footprint of all four buildings totals 1,267,000 square feet.

Chesterfield County Economic Development (CCED) assisted Devon USA with the project.

Leslie_Haley

Leslie Haley, Chair, BOS

Leslie Haley, Board of Supervisors (Chair) said, “We are very excited to see another DuPont facility expand operations in Chesterfield. We’re grateful that companies that have chosen Chesterfield County to locate have also decided to expand and add critical services and commodities to our economy.”

“This is a testament to our strength in working with our existing industries and forming lasting relationships with solid developers like Devon,” said Tina Shreve, Senior Project Manager, CCED.

The tenant was represented in the lease transaction by Chris Rice of NAI/Dominion.

###

Chesterfield Economic Development works on a free and confidential basis with domestic and foreign companies planning to establish new facilities, relocate existing facilities, or expand current facilities. The department also assists existing businesses and industries already located in Chesterfield with any business-related issues. CED staff members will assist with site selection requirements, information and research needs, public relations and relocation services, small business issues, or streamlining regulatory processes.

DEVON USA is a commercial property owner, investor, and developer with a diverse portfolio of assets in the southeastern and midwestern United States. The company has constructed and/or renovated over 6 million sq. ft. of commercial space since 1980, including 2.5 million sq. ft. in Chesterfield County, and currently owns distribution warehouses, multifamily communities, industrial development land, and other investment real estate.

Contacts

Chesterfield County Economic Development
Tina Shreve, Senior Project Manager
(804) 318-8550
ShreveT@chesterfield.gov
www.chesterfieldbusiness.com

Devon USA LLC
Edward D. Mitchell Managing Director
(804) 643-3187 x 231
emitchell@devonusa.com

Applications for the second round of “Back in Business” grants are now being accepted. Applications will close at noon on Thursday, July 2, 2020.  Applications will be accepted through a secure online portal at https://webportalapp.com/sp/chesterfieldbib

Businesses can go to ChesterfieldBiB.com to find program eligibility criteria, a list of Frequently Asked Questions, and the Terms and Conditions of the program.

 

 Round Two Opens June 29, 2020

Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors announced last month that the County would use $5 million of its Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act Federal funding to create a small business relief fund that would aim to get direct funding to those businesses most impacted by COVID-19.  

Round Two will be open to a broader segment of Chesterfield’s small businesses. Businesses that received prior assistance through the federal programs will now be eligible to apply. Round Two will also allow for a larger range of annual gross revenues to qualify and adjusts the grant awards on a sliding scale, based on the size of the business applying.  With these changes, we expect a more robust 2nd round of funding. 

To be eligible to apply for Round Two, a business: 

  1. Businesses that have received other funding assistance, including PPP and/or EIDL, ARE NOW ELIGIBLE.
  2. Must be a for-profit business entity with a place of business located in Chesterfield County; 
  3. Must have been in business for a minimum of 2 years; 
  4. Must have at least $30,000 but no more than $3 million in annual gross revenues for the past 2 years;
  5. Must be able to demonstrate at least a 25% loss in revenue that can be attributed to COVID-19;
  6. Franchises must be headquartered in Chesterfield County and are eligible only for one grant regardless of the number of locations in the County;

Grant amounts will be awarded to eligible businesses on a sliding scale, based on Annual Gross Revenues:

  1. Annual Gross Revenues of $30,000 to $49,999 are eligible for a grant in the amount of $5,000;
  2. Annual Gross Revenues of $50,000 to $199,999 are eligible for a grant in the amount of $7,500;
  3. Annual Gross Revenues $200,000 to $3 million are eligible for a grant in the amount of $10,000.

What businesses are NOT eligible to apply?

  1. Businesses that are franchises and chains that are not headquartered in Chesterfield County are not eligible to apply.
  2. Independent contractors operating multilevel or network marketing businesses (such as Avon, Mary Kay, 5LINX, Pampered Chef, etc.) are not eligible to apply.
  3. Independent contractors working on gig platforms (such as Airbnb, Fiverr, Uber, Lyft, Instacart, etc.) are not eligible to apply.
  4. Nonprofit organizations are not eligible to apply. 
  5. Businesses engaged in speculation or investment in rental real estate are not eligible to apply.
  6. Businesses determined to be Ineligible Businesses under SBA guidelines are not eligible to apply. 

Applications for Round Two will open at 12:00 PM on Monday, June 29, 2020, and close at 12:00 PM on Thursday, July 2, 2020. Applications will be accepted through a secure online portal, available at www.ChesterfieldBIB.com. Businesses can go to ChesterfieldBIB.com to find detailed program eligibility criteria, a list of Frequently Asked Questions, and the Terms and Conditions of the program. Businesses can also register to be notified by email when new information is available and when the application goes live. Businesses that applied for Round One funding and did not receive an award will only need to go to their online application, when the application window is open, to make any necessary modifications and re-submit.

Round One of the funding closed on June 18, 2020, and specifically targeted businesses that were not eligible or able to receive any funds from the federal stimulus program. Round One also targeted businesses that were more likely to be able to keep people employed, to bring employees back to work, or add new jobs. 

Information on additional documentation that will need to accompany the application and the link to the online application will be posted on www.ChesterfieldBIB.com. 

###

About Chesterfield Economic Development: Chesterfield Economic Development works on a free and confidential basis with domestic and foreign companies planning to establish new facilities, relocate existing facilities, or expand current facilities. The department also assists existing businesses and industries already located in Chesterfield with any business-related issues. CED staff members will assist with site selection requirements, information and research needs, public relations and relocation services, small business issues, or streamlining regulatory processes.

About Chesterfield Chamber of Commerce: To be the champion for the business community, fostering growth and development, transformational relationships, and a thriving environment in Chesterfield County. To learn more about our organization and how we can be “Your Key to Business” please visit www.chesterfieldchamber.com or call 804-748-6364.

Media Contacts

Chesterfield Economic Development
Contact: Karen Aylward
Phone: (804) 318-8550
Email: AylwardK@chesterfield.gov

Chesterfield Chamber of Commerce
Contact: Danielle Fitz-Hugh
Phone: (804) 924-2243
Email: danielle@chesterfieldchamber.com

Applications for “Back in Business” grants are now being accepted. Applications will close at noon on Thursday, June 18, 2020.  Applications will be accepted through a secure online portal at https://webportalapp.com/sp/chesterfieldbib

Businesses can go to ChesterfieldBiB.com or https://www.chesterfield.gov/5033/Chesterfield-BiB-Grant-Program to find program eligibility criteria, a list of Frequently Asked Questions, and the Terms and Conditions of the program.

A video walk-through of the application process can be found at https://vimeo.com/429125017

 

At their March 27, 2020 meeting, the Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors approved $5 million dollars of the County’s Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding to be earmarked for a grant program to support small businesses negatively affected by COVID-19.

The grant program, “Back in Business” is a partnership with Chesterfield County and the Chesterfield Chamber of Commerce. The $10,000 grants are designed to provide immediate relief to businesses to help them remain in business through the COVID-19 pandemic and prepare for recovery.

Applications for the grants will be accepted beginning at noon on Monday, June 15, 2020, and will close at noon on Thursday, June 18, 2020.  Applications will be accepted through a secure online portal, available at www.ChesterfieldBiB.com.

Businesses can go to ChesterfieldBiB.com now to find program eligibility criteria, a list of Frequently Asked Questions, and the Terms and Conditions of the program. Businesses can also register to be notified by email when new information is available and notification when the application goes live.

Information on additional documentation that will need to accompany the application and the link to the online application will be posted on www.ChesterfieldBiB.com.

At their March 27, 2020 meeting, the Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors approved $5 million of the county’s Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding to be earmarked for a grant program to support small businesses negatively affected by COVID-19. The grant program, “Back in Business” is a partnership with Chesterfield County and the Chesterfield Chamber of Commerce. The $10,000 grants are designed to provide immediate relief to businesses to help them remain in business through the COVID-19 pandemic and prepare for reopening under the guidelines of Forward Virginia.

Criteria for eligibility has been finalized and applications are anticipated to be open in mid-June. To be eligible for the grants a business:

  1. Must be a for-profit business entity with a place of business located in Chesterfield County; 
  2. Must have been in business for a minimum of 2 years; 
  3. Must have at least $200,000 but no more than $2 million in annual gross revenues;
  4. Must be able to demonstrate at least a 25% loss in revenue that can be attributed to COVID-19.

Franchises must be headquartered in Chesterfield County and are eligible for only one $10,000 grant regardless of the number of locations in the County.

Funds are meant to reimburse businesses for the costs of business interruption caused by required closures due to COVID-19.   The grant can be used for:

  • Employee compensation (including wages and benefits)
  • Working capital
  • Equipment Inventory
  • Rent
  • Other business-critical operating expenses

Small businesses are a critical component of Chesterfield’s economy. They are typically an important source of job creation, spurring innovation and competition and driving productivity and growth. These businesses have been hit especially hard by the crisis, as they often have fewer resources to draw on during a slowdown. The “Back in Business” grants hope to address the funding gaps these businesses may have experienced with other assistance programs through the COVID-19 emergency.

Applicants will be required to demonstrate that they are eligible, that they were operational pre-COVID-19, and that they are suffering negative impacts from COVID-19 closures. Applicants will be asked to provide:

  1. Copies of 2 years of their most recent filed tax returns
  2. IRS W-9
  3. A Financial Statement of Impact

“We highly value the contributions made by our small businesses to the county’s economy. Our hope is this grant can help sustain these businesses that have been hit especially hard by this pandemic as we continue our recovery,” said Leslie Haley, Board of Supervisor Chair.

“Small businesses are like families; we know them well. We’ve grown together over the years. Every business is hurting right now, and we know this program won’t be able to help them all. It is our hope, however, that these grants can help some of our small businesses overcome this challenging time,” said Joe Casey, County Administrator.

“The grant is essential to meet the immediate needs of businesses who have otherwise not had financial help during the pandemic. The amount is meant for impact now without lots of legalese to get through,” said Danielle Fitz-Hugh, Chesterfield Chamber President and CEO.

Additional details on the eligibility criteria and application dates, as they become available, can be found at www.ChesterfieldBiB.com

###

About Chesterfield Economic Development: Chesterfield Economic Development works on a free and confidential basis with domestic and foreign companies planning to establish new facilities, relocate existing facilities, or expand current facilities. The department also assists existing businesses and industries already located in Chesterfield with any business-related issues. CED staff members will assist with site selection requirements, information and research needs, public relations and relocation services, small business issues, or streamlining regulatory processes.

About Chesterfield Chamber of Commerce: To be the champion for the business community, fostering growth and development, transformational relationships, and a thriving environment in Chesterfield County. To learn more about our organization and how we can be “Your Key to Business” please visit www.chesterfieldchamber.com or call 804-748-6364.

Media Contacts

Chesterfield Economic Development
Contact: Karen Aylward
Phone: (804) 318-8550
Email: AylwardK@chesterfield.gov

Chesterfield Chamber of Commerce
Contact: Marnelle Fanfan
Phone: (804) 748-6364
Email: marnelle@chesterfieldchamber.com

Devon USA has announced the completion of its latest distribution facility on Bellwood Road in Chesterfield County, Virginia.

 Devon Building on Bellwood Road

Site development on the project, known as “Project Lightning II”, was started by Devon in early 2019 without any pre-leasing. After finalizing a lease agreement with Amazon.com in January 2020, the 320,960 square foot building was completed according to the requirements and specifications of Amazon. The company will operate the facility as a Delivery Station, where packages will be sorted and loaded into vehicles for “last mile” delivery directly to the homes of its customers.

Amazon Truck

Amazon welcomed new associates inside the 320,000 square-foot building for the first time this month to celebrate its Day One of operation. The delivery station has already created over 100 full-time and part-time associate jobs, all paying at least $15.00 per hour, in addition to hundreds of driver opportunities for Amazon’s Delivery Service Partners and Amazon Flex drivers.

Amazon Delivery Vehicle Loading

Chesterfield County Economic Development (CCED) worked closely with the County’s Community Development team to bring this project to reality. “This was a very unique building for Amazon, but we still delivered it according to their timeline,” said Tina Shreve, Senior Project Manager, CCED.

 Amazon Delivery Center

“The County is very happy to see another Amazon facility coming to Chesterfield. The jobs and capital investment could not have come at a better time. We are also happy to again work with Devon USA on this project, one of the County’s largest industrial building owners.”, said Leslie Haley, Board of Supervisors Chair.

Amazon Delivery Vehicle Leaving Center

“We would like to thank Devon for their continued investment in Chesterfield County. This new Amazon facility continues to solidify Chesterfield County’s position as a leader in the Logistics and Distribution Sector.” Said Jim Ingle, Bermuda District Board of Supervisor.

Amazon Delivery Vehicle

Both Landlord and Tenant were represented in the lease transaction by Thalhimer | Cushman & Wakefield.

###

Chesterfield Economic Development works on a free and confidential basis with domestic and foreign companies planning to establish new facilities, relocate existing facilities, or expand current facilities. The department also assists existing businesses and industries already located in Chesterfield with any business-related issues. CED staff members will assist with site selection requirements, information and research needs, public relations and relocation services, small business issues, or streamlining regulatory processes.

DEVON USA (www.devonusa.com) is a commercial property owner, investor, and developer with a diverse portfolio of assets in the southeastern and midwestern United States. The company has constructed and/or renovated over 6 million sq. ft. of commercial space since 1980, including 2.5 million sq. ft. in Chesterfield County, and currently owns distribution warehouses, multifamily communities, industrial development land, and other investment real estate.

For more information about open positions at the new Amazon facility, visit www.amazon.force.

Contacts

Chesterfield County Economic Development
Tina Shreve, Senior Project Manager
(804) 318-8550
ShreveT@chesterfield.gov
www.chesterfieldbusiness.com

Devon USA LLC
Edward D. Mitchell Managing Director
(804) 643-3187 x 231
emitchell@devonusa.com
www.devonusa.com

At the direction of the Board of Supervisors, Chesterfield County, in partnership with the Chesterfield Chamber of Commerce, is launching the “Back in Business” grant program to support small businesses negatively affected by COVID-19. The $10,000 grants are designed to provide immediate relief to businesses to help them remain in business through the COVID-19 pandemic and prepare for reopening under the guidelines of Forward Virginia.

The $5 million dollars, dedicated for the grant program, will come from the federal funding Chesterfield County received from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. 

Small businesses are a critical component of Chesterfield’s economy. They are typically an important source of job creation, spurring innovation and competition and driving productivity and growth. These businesses have been hit especially hard by the crisis, as they often have fewer resources to draw on during a slowdown. The “Back in Business” grants hope to address the funding gaps these businesses may have experienced with other assistance programs through the COVID-19 emergency.

Applicants will be required to demonstrate that they are eligible, that they were operational pre-COVID-19, and that they are suffering negative impacts from COVID-19 closures.

Final eligibility criteria for the program and the application process is expected to be confirmed by the end of May and applications are anticipated to be open in early June. Details on the program, as they become available, can be found at www.chesterfieldbusiness.com/bib.

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About Chesterfield Economic Development: Chesterfield Economic Development works on a free and confidential basis with domestic and foreign companies planning to establish new facilities, relocate existing facilities, or expand current facilities. The department also assists existing businesses and industries already located in Chesterfield with any business-related issues. CED staff members will assist with site selection requirements, information and research needs, public relations and relocation services, small business issues, or streamlining regulatory processes.

About Chesterfield Chamber of Commerce: To be the champion for the business community, fostering growth and development, transformational relationships, and a thriving environment in Chesterfield County.  To learn more about our organization and how we can be “Your Key to Business” please visit www.chesterfieldchamber.com or call 804-748-6364.

Media Contacts

Chesterfield Economic Development
Contact: Karen Aylward
Phone: (804) 318-8550
Email: AylwardK@chesterfield.gov

Chesterfield Chamber of Commerce
Contact: Marnelle Fanfan
Phone: (804) 748-6364
Email: marnelle@chesterfieldchamber.com

Richmond region business, community, and governmental leaders have come together to form ForwardRVA, a coalition focused on creating an innovative reopening and planning framework.

We're OpenThe immediate focus is to support businesses in reopening and operating safely. In the days and weeks ahead, ForwardRVA will share tools and resources, which will include the perspectives of RVA’s restaurateurs, retailers, and small business owners.

To assist businesses in a responsible reopening, ForwardRVA will provide free Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) starter toolkits for RVA’s small, local, retail, and restaurant businesses with 25 or fewer employees that have remained open or are planning a future reopening. The toolkits include face masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, “We’re Open” signage, and important safety information.

The toolkits will be available for pickup at several locations throughout the region on Wednesday, May 27th, and Thursday, May 28th, 8:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Small business owners must register in advance for the toolkits and select their pickup location at forwardrva.com.

Locations include:

  • Deep Run High School, 4801 Twin Hickory Road, Glen Allen
  • Virginia Center Commons (Food Court), 10101 Brook Road, Glen Allen
  • Richmond Raceway, 600 E. Laburnum Avenue, Richmond
  • Arthur Ashe Center, 3001 N. Arthur Ashe Boulevard, Richmond
  • Southside Community Center, 6255 Old Warwick Road, Richmond
  • John Tyler Community College – Midlothian (Administration Building), 800 Charter Colony Parkway, Midlothian
  • John Tyler Community College – Chester, 13101 Jefferson Davis Highway, Chester
  • Southpark Mall (former Sears), 230 Southpark Circle, Colonial Heights

Because the toolkits contain starter quantities of PPE, recipients are encouraged to build up a proper supply for their employees and patrons according to the State’s Forward Virginia guidelines, which can be found at forwardrva.com.

ForwardRVA’s approach to reopening aligns with the Forward Virginia three-phased approach announced by Gov. Ralph Northam in late April. Both approaches follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines.
For more information on the PPE Starter Toolkits, ForwardRVA, and Forward Virginia, go to www.forwardrva.com.

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About ChamberRVA: ChamberRVA is the chamber of commerce representing the entire greater Richmond region – one city, seven counties and one town – since 1867. The chamber’s mission is to build a thriving regional community by supporting the success of members, providing a strong business voice, and developing RVA’s future leaders. Learn more about ChamberRVA at chamberrva.com.