Economic Development

Economic Development Some of the most exciting new stories are coming out of Petersburg, VA and its surrounding counties. The new development in association with Virginia’s Gateway Region has made colossal progress to uplift the economy and job growth in Petersburg with the construction of two powerhouse companies, Amazon and Rolls-Royce distribution and engineering facilities in neighboring cities. Renee Chapline, executive director of Virginia’s Gateway Region, said in January’s issue of Virginia Business magazine that, “It’s like stars have become aligned.” The region has just hit a complete makeover with the development activity bringing in much wanted attention to the region’s growth and we can positively say it has thrilled the people of Petersburg. One already having a 1-million square foot facility located in the Gateway region, Amazon looks to open a second facility of 1 million square feet in Dinwiddie County. Having both of the ginormous centers up, over 1,300 people will be employed. Rolls-Royce aerospace center sits on 1,000 –acres of land in Prince George and recent news has determined they are planning on building a second plant on the site as well. Another big mania in Petersburg was Steven Spielberg’s movie “Lincoln” was focused primarily in the downtown market area of Petersburg. Lincoln toured Petersburg on April 3, 1865, the day after it fell to the Union Army. Filming in Petersburg took place mainly in the Old Towne area near the historic Farmer’s Market building at 9 East Old Street, and the Union Train Station on River Street. The Farmer’s Market building stood in for a military headquarters and South Side Depot stood in for a hospital. This brought national attention to all the centuries old mansions and commercial buildings that have been vacant for decades and now are receiving renewed interests from preservationists building developers. We can say, it was a very busy and productive 2012 which only brings a more prosperous and powerful 2013 and many years to come.