The Virginia Enterprise Zone program is committed to encouraging economic growth and revitalization throughout the commonwealth by supporting businesses and investors.  The program provides reimbursement grants for real property improvements as well as new job creation within the zone.  This program is managed by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD).  Accomack County originally created it's Enterprise Zone in 2005 and has made some amendments to the area in the Zone since that time.

Qualification for real property investment grants requires the participant spend a minimum of $100,000 in qualifying investments for commercial, industrial, or mixed-use buildings or facilities.  or rehabilitation and expansion or a minimum of $500,000 in qualifying investments for new construction.  Participants may qualify for reimbursements for up to 20% of the qualified costs in excess of the minimums.  For example, if you spent $150,000 in qualifying expenses in renovating a business property in the Enterprise Zone, you could be eligible for a grant up to $10,000.  The amount of the reimbursements will depend on state funds available for reimbursement as well as total caps on funds depending on the type and amount of investment.

For job creation grants, funds are available for net new permanent full time positions that pay a minimum of $12.69 per hour as well as provide health benefits.  Certain categories of positions, such as retail, personal service, or food and beverage positions, are excluded.  A minimum of 5 new permanent full-time positions must be created in order to qualify for funding.

For complete information on these programs, please follow the link to the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) Enterprise Zone Site.

Proposed 2010 Enterprise Zone Changes

The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development approves lands that Accomack County wishes in include as part of it's Enterprise Zone.  As part of it's most recent review it was noted that the records of DHCD and Accomack County did not fully recocile. Changes have been identified which would reconcile the DHCD records with those of Accomack County. A Public Hearing has been scheduled for 7:30 pm on Wednesday, April 21, 2010 to consider changes to the Enterprise Zone. The Public Hearing will be heald in the Board or Supervisor's Chambers, Room 104, 23296 Courthouse Avenue, Accomac, VA.

Property owners potentially impacted by the changes were notified via first class mail on April 5, 2010.  Listed below are answers to questions property owners may have about the correspondence they received.

• I thought my property was zoned agricultural (or residential, or business).  What does the Enterprise Zone have to do with this and how does it affect what I can do on my property?

Not a thing.  The Enterprise Zone Program is a separate, State managed program which focuses on business development.  It does not change what activities can take place on your property under the Accomack County Zoning Ordinance (or the Zoning Ordinance of the applicable town if your property falls within the limits of an incorporated town).

• Why has my property been chosen to not be included in the newest version the Enterprise Zone?

During the adoption of the original Enterprise Zone lands, the Accomack County Board of Supervisors specifically excluded certain lands from the Enterprise Zone.  Either your land was in one of these specific categories or it is part of lands that have not been approved by DCHD to be part of the Zone.  If it is part of lands that have not been formally approved by DHCD, the County has to decide to keep it out of the Zone or to have DHCD formally include it into the Zone.  Most of the properties which are not being added to the zone are in residential use and would not qualify for Enterprise Zone funding.

•  Why not just put all of the lands in the Zone?

Accomack County is limited by the amount of land it is allowed to have within it's Zone.  Including all of the lands that have been shown as being within the Zone would place the Zone as being over it's limit.  Removing part or all of your property helps the County get under this limit.  Plus, it provides additional acreage for future expansion by businesses in Accomack County.

• You mentioned part or all of my property may be affected.  How do I know if my parcel is partially or fully affected?

Please click on the appropriate area of the map below to see how you are impacted.  If you still have questions, please contact Tom Brockenbrough in the Department of Planning at 757.787.5797 or 757.824.5324.

• Would this change be permanent?

Not necessarily.  DHCD allows Accomack County to amend the areas within it's Enterprise Zone every 12 months.  If your property is proposed for a change in use which could potentially qualify it for Enterprise Zone funding, it can be evaluated for being added into the Zone at a later date.

• What if I still think my property should be included in the updated Enterprise Zone?

You have several options if you wish to have your property considered for inclusion in the Zone.  You may attend the Public Hearing on April 21, contact your member of the Board of Supervisors, or Tom Brockenbrough in the Accomack County Department of Planning.

• And if I still have questions?

Please contact Tom Brockenbrough in the Accomack County Department of Planning by phone at 757.787.5797 or 757.824.5324 or via email to tbrockenbrough@co.accomack.va.us.

The map below contains links to areas of the county where the zone is concentrated.  You may enlarge the image in your browser to identify actual parcels eligible for the incentives as well as lands identified for inclusion or exclusion as a result of the update. 

 


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