Free Family Movie Night will be held July 25th at 8:15 PM. The new location is Brunswick County Conference Center (across from Brown’s Funeral Service). Free Popcorn. Families can arrive as early as 8:00 PM. Can Do Club will be selling drinks and hotdogs.
July 2019 Update
Ribbon Cutting Photos
Brunswick County, VA – The Brunswick County Industrial Development Authority, the Brunswick County Board of Supervisors, and the Town of Lawrenceville announced today KASS Foods, a healthy snack food manufacturer, will invest to establish an operation in Brunswick County, Town of Lawrenceville. Virginia successfully competed against North Carolina and Maryland for the project, which will bring eight new jobs to the region.
Mike Dotti, Chair of Brunswick County IDA Board said, “It is an easy thing to say Brunswick County is open for business. To create an environment where new business is possible takes the work of a lot of people. We could not have done this without our team. The Board of Supervisors, Carthan Currin, Economic Development Director, C. J. Dean and the Town of Lawrenceville, the Tobacco Commission, the amazing IDA board all moving forward under the proactive leadership of our County Administrator, Dr. Woolridge. A special thanks to Ajay and the fine people of KASS for their investment in our County.”
“We are extremely pleased that KASS Foods chose to locate their company in Brunswick County,” said Dr. Charlette T. Woolridge, Brunswick County Administrator. “President Sujanani’s business investment results in the restoration of the former Southern States facility, the creation of employment opportunities for Brunswick residents, increased tax revenues, and even more benefits.” Dr. Woolridge also thanked the partners who helped to make this project possible. “I am very appreciative of the collaborative partnership between KASS, the Board of Supervisors and staff, Brunswick County Industrial Development Authority Board, Town of Lawrenceville, Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission, Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, Virginia’s Growth Alliance and Southside Planning District Commission who were instrumental in making this project a reality.”
“The Town of Lawrenceville would like to welcome KASS Foods (Ajay and Kareena) to our community. They are bringing much needed jobs to our Town and putting a vacant building back into productive use. We would like to thank all of those involved in bringing this manufacturing facility to Lawrenceville, including the Virginia Tobacco Commission, Virginia’s Growth Alliance and our partners in Brunswick County. Lawrenceville looks forward to the future with KASS and assisting with their future goals and plans,” said CJ Dean, Lawrenceville town manager.
“We are excited to be a part of Brunswick County and the Town of Lawrenceville. We believe this is the perfect location for our facility,” said KASS Foods president Ajay Sujanani. “The wide support and consistent enthusiasm we have received for our project reassures us that we have made the right choice in selecting Town of Lawrenceville in Brunswick County for our manufacturing plant.”
KASS Foods focuses on manufacturing of healthy snack products in various segments including organic, children, adult, as well as sweet and savory. Their product portfolio will consist of several European style snacks customized to the American palette. With robust R&D tie-ups with Universities in Germany and US, KASS has various innovative products that will be rolled out in phases once they start operations.
Tobacco Commission Vice-Chair, Senator Frank Ruff said, “This is exciting news for Brunswick County. Attracting an innovative company like KASS Foods to our region shows that we can compete successfully for manufacturing jobs in any sector. I’m glad that the Tobacco Commission chose to support this project through the refurbishment of the former Southern States building and look forward to the success of KASS Foods in their new home here in Southern Virginia.”
The Tobacco Commission awarded a $447,000 Southside Economic Development grant to assist with the renovation of the building located on the Virginia Tobacco Heritage Trail in historic downtown Lawrenceville.
With assistance from the Southside Planning District Commission, the Town of Lawrenceville was able to secure a Community Development Block Grant from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development for additional building renovations needed for the project. The Southside PDC, through Lake Country Development Corporation’s loan pool program, was also able to assist the client with project financing.
The company will be located in the former Southern States building adjacent to the Tobacco Heritage Trail.
This project was developed by Virginia’s Growth Alliance. Brunswick County, along with Amelia, Buckingham, Charlotte, Cumberland, Greensville, Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, Nottoway and Prince Edward counties and the city of Emporia comprise the Alliance (http://vagrowth.com).
Brunswick County Industrial Development Authority (IDA) plans to strategically pursue new businesses and industries with the vision of having them locate in the County thus encouraging the growth of existing businesses while providing local entrepreneurs with guidance and resources for their start-up ventures and creating employment opportunities.
As many of you already have heard Brunswick County is changing. The Brunswick County Board of Supervisors, under the direction of Chairman Barbara Harris, spent a great deal of time in 2017 to envision the future and to develop a comprehensive plan to move forward. Mrs. Harris realized that without Vision there is no way to see the possibilities available to us in the future. Guided by this vision the Board is moving forward to put the pieces in place to make Vision 2035 a reality.
The IDA Board of Directors is made up of citizens from diverse backgrounds and experiences. Each member brings his or her own individual perspective to our work. Our board has embraced Vision 2035 not only with our words but also with our actions. Committees have been formed, communication has been improved and finances and procedures are being reviewed. We are pledged to work side by side with Carthin Currin, Directoår of Economic Development and the County to find good business partners and to enhance and encourage those that are already here.
County government works for you. We invite public comment and interaction. You have a say and your opinions matter. You also have a responsibility to improve our County. Shop local, eat local, brag a lot about all we have. Our local restaurants have great selections. It is very hard work to operate an eating establishment. Trust me I know, I spent 25 years in that business. Encourage and support the folks who have dedicated their time and money to giving you a place to eat. Get your hair done locally, we have high quality beauty shops and barbers. The county has great grocery stores, hardware stores, and some of the best hot dogs and biscuits available anywhere. When you eat and shop locally you encourage other business to come to our County. You help create new jobs. You can help create a climate which will encourage the growth of new business.
As the newly appointed Business Liaison Director of the Brunswick County Industrial Development Authority, I thank you for your time and your help. In the future you will be asked for input, help and guidance to move the Vision forward. The vision will take time, it will take cooperation and of course your prayers are most appreciated.
Michael Dotti
Brunswick County, Va.
IDA Business Liaison Director
M_Dotti@bcida.org
– Station’s 1,358 megawatts can power 325,000 homes
– During construction more than $824 million in economic benefits was generated
– Station uses efficient technology and clean natural gas
RICHMOND, Va., April 26, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — The newest member of Dominion Virginia Power’s generation fleet, the 1,358 megawatt, environmentally clean Brunswick Power Station began producing electricity for the company’s customers on Monday, April 25, 2016.
The station, located in Brunswick County, uses natural gas and energy efficient technology to produce enough electricity to power 325,000 homes.
“The Brunswick Power Station is destined to be a workhorse, using combined-cycle technology that is clean and efficient and will produce reliable, low-cost energy for our 2.5 million customers,” said Paul Koonce, CEO of Dominion Generation Group. “I commend the Generation Construction team on the successful, on-schedule, on-budget completion of an important project.”
The station was needed to meet growing demand and to replace electricity from aging coal-fired power stations as Dominion transitions to a cleaner energy future.
Combined-cycle power stations such as Brunswick use low-cost, environmentally clean natural gas to produce electricity. Brunswick has three combustion turbines – essentially large jet engines. The combustion turbines generate electricity and then the heat is captured and used to create steam that is used to create even more electricity.
Construction on the station began in August of 2013. At the height of construction, the station had more than 1,500 workers on site. During the development and construction, the station was estimated to generate approximately $824 million in economic benefits for the state. The station has been estimated to pay about $4 million a year in local property taxes in 2017 and up to $5 million annually thereafter.
Upon commencement of operations, Brunswick Power Station will have 43 employees and an annual payroll of about $7.5 million. In the first full year of the station’s operation the fuel savings have been estimated to be nearly $100 million. Those fuel savings will continue over time, and the station is expected to save customers between $924 million and $1.5 billion over its expected life.
About Dominion Virginia Power
Dominion Virginia Power is a
subsidiary of Dominion (NYSE: D), one of the nation’s largest producers
and transporters of energy. Dominion provides energy or products and
services to more than five million customers in 14 states. It has a
portfolio of approximately 24,300 megawatts of generation and 6,500
miles of electric transmission lines. Dominion also operates one of the
nation’s largest natural gas storage systems with 933 billion cubic feet
of storage capacity. For more information about Dominion, visit the
company’s website at www.dom.com.
SOURCE Dominion Virginia Power
The Brunswick County Board of Supervisors adopted an ordinance to repeal the Merchants’ Capital Tax effective Jan. 1, 2017. The supervisors held a public hearing on the proposed ordinance amendment on Wednesday, June 17, and no one spoke in opposition and several people spoke in favor of repealing the tax.
Scott Martin, chair of the Economic Development Authority of Lawrenceville, said the authority fully supports the adoption of an ordinance to amend the merchant’s capital tax in Brunswick County.
“In the view of the EDA, this tax acts as a deterrent to attracting new industry into our county. It also may become a determining factor for those present businesses who may be considering whether to remain in Brunswick County. Brunswick is a prime location for businesses such as distribution centers, however, considering that many of the surrounding counties do not have this tax, it leaves Brunswick without much hope of attracting these facilities,” Martin stated. “Considering the relatively small revenue garnered from this tax and the future revenue anticipated with the completion of the Dominion plant and the pipeline, we see this as the most opportune time to be considering this move. It is our hope that you will proceed with the elimination of the merchants’ capital tax at this time.”
FREEMAN – Friday, May 16, 2014 was a great day for Brunswick County and Southside Virginia. State and county officials joined Dominion Virginia Power employees to break ground on the Brunswick County Power Station now under construction on Governor Harrison Parkway.
Dan Genest, Media Relations/ Generation for Dominion, said when completed in 2016 the Brunswick County Power Station will produce almost 1,360 megawatts of electricity – enough to power nearly 340,000 households. The station will use combined-cycle technology, an energy efficient method that recaptures waste heat to produce more electricity. The facility will be powered by clean, economical natural gas, a fuel with outstanding environmental qualities, including lower carbon emissions.
Genest said with natural gas as its fuel, the station is expected to save customers more than $1 billion over its expected life compared with the next-best option for supplying power
“This is not just a good morning, this is a great morning for Brunswick County and the region,” said Senator Frank Ruff, 15th District, who serves as Vice Chairman of the Virginia Tobacco Commission.
In a light-hearted manner, Ruff said he thought he was the only person that Dominion Virginia Power told when it decided to locate in Brunswick County.
The Brunswick County Board of Supervisors and the Industrial Development Authority welcomes Dominion Virginia Power to Brunswick County.
Dominion Virginia Power plans to construct a $1.1 billion combined-cycle, natural gas fired power station in Brunswick County that will generate electricity for customers by the summer of 2016.
The Brunswick County Industrial Development Authority is working with Fluor Construction to secure business for local contractors and employment for local residents as much as possible during the construction of the Brunswick County Dominion Power Plant. The first step is the creation of an inventory that local businesses/contractors can use to identify themselves as capable of providing the contracting, goods, or services needed by Fluor during construction. As Fluor informs the IDA of additional opportunities that can be met locally, they will be listed on the IDA website.
Businesses and contractors can fill out a Contractor Inventory Form online; click here to access the “Contractor Inventory Form.” For businesses/contractors not having access to a computer, one will be available at the IDA’s office, 116 W. Hicks St., Lawrenceville.
The IDA will forward information from the inventory to Fluor representatives on a regular basis. Fluor will conduct its own review according to its prequalification standards and directly procure contractors, goods, and services as needed.
At this time, the IDA is interested in receiving information from businesses/contractors that can provide the following:
Dominion Virginia Power received permission from the Virginia State Corporation Commission on Aug. 2, 2013, to construct a 1,358-megawatt, natural gas fueled power station near Lawrenceville in Brunswick County. The combined cycle, natural gas-fired power station will serve growing customer demand and replace electricity from aging coal-fired power stations that are being retired for economic and environmental reasons.
Dominion plans to start construction immediately with commercial service expected to begin in the summer of 2016.
The total cost of the station is $1.3 billion. During the development and construction period, the station will generate about $824 million in economic benefits for the state, according to a study done for Dominion. Over the course of construction the workforce will average about 380 workers annually. Once complete, the station will provide 43-full time, permanent jobs and pay about $4 million a year in local property taxes.
The commission also approved a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity for transmission interconnection facilities needed to tie the station to the gird and a rate adjustment clause, Rider BW, which will allow the company to recover costs of the project. The initial increase in the monthly bill of a typical residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity would be 81 cents, effective Sept. 1, 2013.
The transmission facilities include a 13.5-mile long 500kv transmission line that will connect the station to an existing transmission line.
In the first full year of the station’s operation Dominion expects there will be fuel savings of about $96 million. Those fuel savings will continue over time. In addition, the station is expected to save customers an additional $1 billion over its expected life compared with the next-best option for supplying power.
The Brunswick County IDA has issued a Request for Qualifications to find a development consultant to assist in developing plans and obtaining a master developer for the adaptive reuse of the Brunswick Correctional Center that was closed in 2009. This is an important step in efforts to make this property an active contributor to the Brunswick County economy again.
The County Administrator and IDA Executive Director have been working nonstop since March 31, 2010 as part of a team that included local and State elected officials, as well as government senior staff, which was formed to find a way to put the Brunswick Correctional Center property back into use. The Department of Corrections and Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) continue to work in close partnership with the County and IDA to move this project forward.
Board of Supervisors Member Barbara Jarrett Drummond, who has been at the forefront of this issue since the State government made the decision to close the facility, is glad to see this step taken; but very concerned about how our community continues to suffer economically from the closing. She said, “I am very grateful for the working partnership and attempts that have been made by the local and State government leaders to re-use the Brunswick Correctional Center and I hope the effort now underway with the RFQ to redevelop the site into commerce and industry will bring stronger, long-term benefits to the community.”
The RFQ has been structured and advertised in major newspapers to obtain responses from consulting firms with strong experience in the redevelopment of large tract institutional sites. The kind of experience sought is that other localities around the State with similar projects and closed military bases have successfully used.
The Brunswick Correctional Center is located in the Sturgeon Election District so Board of Supervisors Member Marc Finney has kept a close eye on the progress made on this project. He said, “This 760 acres property has the potential to be an economic development spark plug that brings badly needed jobs and tax revenue to our community. I commend the County Administrator and IDA Executive Director for their tireless work and I will continue to support this effort in every way I can.”
The deadline for submitting a response to the RFQ is October 19, 2011 and a final selection process has been outlined to have a consulting firm begin work in late December 2011.