Southern Virginia at a glance: Ready for a turnaround

Throughout Southern Virginia, localities are positioning themselves for an economic turnaround:

Brunswick County A Tobacco Commission grant has been used to create two 100-acre “giga-parks.” They are industrial parks wired so that businesses that locate there can have the same Internet access you have in Richmond,” says Joan V. Moore, executive director of the county’s industrial development authority.

Danville and Pittsylvania County Developing a future mega-park that eventually will include more than 3,700 acres.

Emporia-Greensville Has the state’s only certified “mega-site,” a 1,500-acre property designed to attract a manufacturing facility employing 1,000 people, such as an auto assembly plant.

Halifax County The 165-acre Riverstone Technology Park is designed to attract IT, biotechnology, telecommunications and technical manufacturing. Plans call for it to have four miles of trails and walkways that eventually link the park to Downtown South Boston and the Berry Hill Conference Center.

Martinsville-Henry County The Patriot Centre Industrial Park, already home to 19 companies employing 4,000 people, offers 1,500 available acres for development. In addition, a master plan is being conceived for the Commonwealth Crossing Business Center, a new 730-acre industrial park near the North Carolina line.

Mecklenburg County Has nine business parks covering more than 900 acres, all served by fiber-optic.

Brunswick County	A Tobacco Commission grant has been used to create two 100-acre “giga-parks.” They are industrial parks wired so that businesses that locate there can have the same Internet access you have in Richmond,” says Joan V. Moore, executive director of the county’s industrial development authority.
Danville and Pittsylvania County	Developing a future mega-park that eventually will include more than 3,700 acres.
Emporia-Greensville	Has the state’s only certified “mega-site,” a 1,500-acre property designed to attract a manufacturing facility employing 1,000 people, such as an auto assembly plant.
Halifax County	The 165-acre Riverstone Technology Park is designed to attract IT, biotechnology, telecommunications and technical manufacturing. Plans call for it to have four miles of trails and walkways that eventually link the park to Downtown South Boston and the Berry Hill Conference Center.
Martinsville-Henry County	The Patriot Centre Industrial Park, already home to 19 companies employing 4,000 people, offers 1,500 available acres for development. In addition, a master plan is being conceived for the Commonwealth Crossing Business Center, a new 730-acre industrial park near the North Carolina line.
Mecklenburg County	Has nine business parks covering more than 900 acres, all served by fiber-optic.