 Melody Kinser
Harris: buy at home Hanover County is missing out on tax opportunities, with 80 percent of retail purchases being made elsewhere.
Hanover County is missing out on tax opportunities, with 80 percent of retail purchases being made elsewhere.
That was part of the message delivered by County Administrator Cecil R. “Rhu” Harris Jr. Thursday evening during the Annual Dinner and Membership Meeting of the Hanover Association of Businesses and Chamber of Commerce.
However, he did point out that 46 percent of retail dollars are staying in Hanover County, with Mechanicsville being the strongest area. He emphasized there are neighborhood opportunities for retail markets.
Harris was the keynote speaker before a group of more than 100 at the Richmond Times-Dispatch production facility in the Atlee Station business park.
He provided a number of project updates, including the Customer Service Initiative and the Economic Development Strategic Plan.
He said the county had used a focus group of about 33 individuals as “a baseline for what it is we need to be looking at.” He also reviewed SWAT (Strengths Weaknesses And Threats).
The Matrix Consulting Group spearheaded the Customer Service Initiative, with the following results:
Strengths — Inter-departmental review; concurrent plan review; basic completeness review of applications; basic checklists available; applications handouts outline submittal requirements; and customers have ability to use Web site and/or IVR (interactive voice response) systems to check status of application or permit, review plan comments, vehicle inspections and receive inspection results.
Weaknesses — Need to upgrade software system; need to develop periodic standard reports that monitor development reveiw activities and performance against established review times; need comprehensive update of zoning ordinance; hire project manager; have quarterly staff training sessions; and establish timelines for review of all submitted applications, vary according to complexity of project.
Target dates were set for adopted review goals, with all administrative projects reviewed within 30 to 45 working days. For projects that require resubmittal, Harris said the county’s team would review and respond within seven to 10 working days if the project is smaller or “routine” or 15 to 20 working days if the project is larger or more complex.
“We need to be held accountable and you’re going to be part of that process,” Harris said, adding, there must be “a proactive commitment on everybody’s part.”
A customer satisfaction survey is expected to be reported to the Hanover County Board of Supervisors at its Oct. 8 meeting. The county administrator said there is continuous improvement in customer service.
“Our goal is a change in culture,” Harris said.
As for the Strategic Plan, which was implemented in 2000, Harris said an update took place in 2002, while the Comprehensive Plan was updated in 2007. A retail business strategy has been in the works since the spring, with a focus on the Interstate 95 corridor. He mentioned the development at Winding Brook, where the new Bass Pro Shops is located, and Bell Creek business park.
The county’s continued success also involves Kings Dominion amusement park near Doswell, Harris said.
He praised the efforts of the county’s Department of Economic Development and its role is helping provide $174 million since 2001 in bonds and funding.
The county’s employment trends, Harris continued, “are reasonably well,” with “a high goal.”
“We are holding our own with a fairly stable workforce.”
According to Harris, healthcare is the fastest growing employer in the area, with the highest wage rates.
Hanover County has enjoyed a 69 percent growth in its commercial tax base in the years from 2000 to 2007.
He acknowledged Karen T. Epps, with the Department of Economic Development, and her efforts with the Business First program, which is designed to reach out to existing businesses.
Harris closed by saying “Hanover County is the best place to live, work and play in the Commonwealth of Virginia.”
Based on the recommendations of the Nominating Committee, David H. Creasey was named president of the HABCC. He succeeds L.W. “Lin” Diacont III. Also elected to serve are Jim Trotter, vice president; Kristine L. Holt, secretary; and Tim Boschen, treasurer. New members of the board of directors are Epps, Leo Satterwhite, R.B. Chenault and Greg Vaughan. Those who will continue to serve are Diacont and directors-at-large Dennis Beard, William Hamner, Jay Pollard, Heather Shurm and Florence Watt. Daniel L. Johnson represents the Western Division.
Cameron B. Wood, executive director of the HABCC, recognized several special guests, including John E. Gordon Jr., vice chairman of the Hanover County Board of Supervisors, who was joined by fellow supervisors Robert R. Setliff and G. Ed Via III; John H. Hodges, deputy county administrator; Sterling E. Rives III, county attorney; Marc S. Weiss and Epps, with the county’s economic development office; Charles W. Hartgrove, Ashland town manager, and Douglas A. Goodman Jr., Ashland police chief.
For more information on the HABCC, visit http://www.habcc.org or http://www.habcc.com
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