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convenient drive of a well-educated and Gillies named CHESTER RENTS
MEGA SITE prepared workforce, higher education Chesterfield
facilities, and an international airport,
and that is served by highway and a Rents in Chester have increased 0.2 percent
Continued from page 1 over the past month, and are up 3.2 percent
major north American railroad. They planning year-over-year.
business and industry needs in sectors also require a minimum of 1,500 acres director Median rent prices here prove to be more
such as advanced manufacturing is a to assure that their facility is properly affordable than comparable cities nationwide.
top priority for John Tyler Community buffered from existing or proposed CHESTERFIELD — Chesterfield Chester’s median two-bedroom apartment
College. At our Chester Campus, residential communities. The subject County has named Andrew G. Gillies rents of $1,250 is above the national average of
located in close proximity to the site meets these and other site criteria as its new planning director. County $1,160.
Matoaca Mega Site, we prepare our typically used to evaluate the potential leaders selected Gillies after a national The national rent index has increased 0.4
students for these in-demand jobs for landing a major employer of the recruitment process. He is currently the percent over the past month, and is up 2.9 per-
cent year-over-year.
through programs that provide hands-on quality targeted by the Economic community services director for Farmers
learning in high-tech labs and lead to Development Authority. The plan Branch, a suburb of Dallas, Texas.
industry certifications and licensures. proposed by Chesterfield County and the Having worked for more than 30
We look forward to partnering with Economic Development Authority has years in the planning and community JEFFERSON DAVIS HWY
the companies interested in this new been vetted by the Virginia Economic development field, Gillies brings a wide TRANSPORTATION
site and to providing them with a well- Development Partnership and creates a range of experience to Chesterfield Coun-
prepared workforce.” very unique opportunity for the future. ty. Over his career, The less fortunate in Chesterfield are
Gillies has worked
The project is currently zoned for The property, as currently zoned, primarily for Texas not offered transportation options. It’s either
residential use, and it wood need to be would allow for thousands of single municipalities; how- have your own car or stay at home. One
re-zoned to industrial use. The EDA family homes to be constructed before ever, he served as the other option is getting a ride with a friend,
has already submitted the re-zoning significant upgrades to the County utility executive director for say in the back of his or her pick-up truck.
application. Industrial use is consistent and road infrastructure were required. a large city-county GRTC used to come into Chesterfield and
turn to go back to Richmond, but that route
with the County’s Comprehensive Plan Preliminary calculations suggest planning commission is no longer available.
for the site. the proposed use will generate less in Kentucky for sev- About half of lower-paid workers
traffic than if the site were developed ANDREW G. GULLIES en years. As director live within walking distance of a bus stop
Matoaca Mega Site Project within the current zoning designation. of Chesterfield Coun- in the city where buses run typically run
Description The Chesterfield County Economic ty’s Planning Department, Gillies will routes. Even though Chesterfield supplies 50
Located in the southeast part of Development Authority intends to oversee a staff responsible for the county’s percent of the funding for GRTC, the county
Chesterfield County, the proposed construct necessary sewer, water, and comprehensive plan, zoning administra- uses none of its services. Dorothy Jaeckle
tion and land development.
Matoaca Mega Site includes 1,675 acres road infrastructure, consistent with He earned a master’s of urban was quoted in the Richmond Times-Dis-
currently zoned for residential use. The County Thoroughfare Plan and Overall planning from Texas A&M University patch as follows:
“It puzzles me why advocates for
site was rezoned residential in 2007 Utility Master Plan, commensurate with “We listened to the community public transportation would want to limit
as part of the Branner Station Project. the schedule of the major employer. Not about what they thought was needed in a that transportation to bus service rather than
When the economy suffered the large only will this infrastructure allow for the new planning director,” said Bill Dupler, explore other options that may be more cost
downturn, the residential project was creation of thousands of jobs, the existing deputy county administrator. “Andy effective, more efficient and provide a better
no longer viable and has sat vacant citizens of Chesterfield County will brings a wealth of experience and he will service for those that need it. In today’s
since that time. The Comprehensive benefit from the upgraded infrastructure. be a wonderful addition to our talented world, limiting public transportation to a bus
Land Use Plan now shows the parcel Virginia has not been seriously community development team.” service would not be in the best interest of
Gillies will start at Chesterfield
is intended to be used as Regional considered for any of the large-scale County as the new director of planning those that need transportation,” she said.
Mixed Use/Corporate Office/ automotive, aerospace, or other advanced in October.
Research & Development/Industrial. manufacturing companies projects in
The Chesterfield County Economic recent years because we lack a site with
Development Authority currently holds close proximity to a large labor force. A Completely Different Experience in Dining
an option on the parcels and is applying The Matoaca Mega Site will be Virginia’s
to conditionally rezone the entire best opportunity to utilize the unique LUNCH HOURS
property to I-3 as part of a strategy to characteristics of this site to attract a Sun-Fri 11:00 am - 2:15 pm
attract a major employer to the region. major employer to central Virginia. DINNER HOURS
The major employers currently Interested individuals may sign up Sun - Thu 4 pm - 9 pm
targeted by the Economic Development for notifications and project updates at Fri - Sat 4 pm - 10 pm
Authority require a site within a MatoacaMegaSite.com.
12730 Jefferson Davis Hwy, Chester – 804.751.9898

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