My approach to writing introductions to regional reports is simple: I read all the stories and ask myself, "What else needs to be said?"

In the special section that follows, you will find impressive stories about Richmond's emergence as a technology center, its ability to cooperate on regional projects, and its plethora of historic and cultural assets. Most of the references in these stories, however, are to people, places and projects in the city of Richmond and in the immediately surrounding counties of Chesterfield and Henrico.

The more rural counties of Charles City, Goochland, Hanover, New Kent and Powhatan are barely mentioned. But their residents will tell you that life on the outskirts of the Greater Richmond area offers the best of both worlds. They enjoy all the advantages of a major metropolitan area while living in the lap of Virginia's lush landscape.

Drive southeast from downtown Richmond on scenic Route 5, and you will soon find yourself in historic Charles City County. The byway will lead you to an incredible collection of beautifully preserved plantation homes such as Berkeley, Shirley and Sherwood Forest. But this picturesque county is by no means mired in the past. In the early 1990s, Charles City rolled the dice on a major regional landfill, and the gamble has paid big financial dividends. Revenues from the landfill allowed the county to totally rebuild its schools in 1993 on one masterplanned complex.

Charles City's northern neighbor, New Kent County, also is willing to gamble. That's how it became the site of Colonial Downs, Virginia's first and only pari-mutuel horse racing track. Before Colonial Downs came Royal New Kent, an award-winning golf course, and now the county is angling for industrial development that will capitalize on its excellent access to Interstate 64, Interstate 295 and Richmond International Airport. The county's Bottoms Bridge interchange is just a few miles from the airport and the new White Oak Semiconductor plant.

Microchips are already driving development in Goochland County on the other side of Richmond. The county is still waiting for Motorola to build its $3 billion semiconductor plant in West Creek business park, but in the meantime Goochland has attracted the headquarters of Heilig-Meyers, a national chain of furniture stores. West Creek is situated on the eastern edge of Goochland County, a locality that is determined to preserve the natural beauty of its rolling hills. The county is dotted with horse country estates and challenging golf courses.

Traveling south from Goochland County, you'll cross the James River on U.S. 522 at one of its most scenic points. This two-lane bridge leads to the back roads of Powhatan County, where farmers work the fields and hunters roam the woods. Powhatan takes pride in its agricultural roots, but it also is beginning to welcome carefully planned residential and commercial growth. Powhatan's economic development efforts will get a boost in coming years as the extension of Route 288 cuts through the eastern corner of the county.

Last but not least, Hanover County is exploding with residential growth and backing it up with one of the best public school systems in Virginia. Office and industrial development is beginning to follow in manicured business parks such as Atlee Station at the interchange of I-295 and U.S. Highway 301. Over the years Hanover has taken commercial growth one careful step at a time. The Eiffel Tower replica at Kings Dominion is the county's most prominent landmark, but it's better known locally for charming towns and red, juicy tomatoes.

The rural ring around Richmond is composed of counties that are truly special. They are all beginning to attract some industrial development, but they are doing so without ruining their agricultural character. They've done an admirable job of preserving their past without sacrificing their future.

Karl Rhodes
Executive Editor
krhodes@va-business.com