ESSEX COUNTY, VIRGINIA
INVESTMENT AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES


Essex County and the Board of Supervisors, along with Town officials, welcome new commercial and industrial businesses to Essex County and Tappahannock.

Essex County is located on the Rappahannock River 45 miles from the state capitol, 100 miles from the nation's capital, and mid-way between the beaches of the Atlantic and the Blue Ridge Mountains, 100 miles to the east and west.

In the center of Essex County is the Town of Tappahannock, the commercial and industrial hub for the region serving over 80,000 people with grosses of $100 million in commercial and retail businesses.

Essex County offers excellent schools, recreation, medical services and 8,689 friendly citizens who welcome new businesses and industries.

The County offers business developers and investors a wide selection of sites available for building and improvement along with several existing buildings, shops and office centers ready for immediate occupation.

BUSINESS APPEAL

Essex County and the Town of Tappahannock offer an exceptional package that has substantial business appeal - consider some of these aspects:

Highly skilled, well motivated workforce, competitive wage levels, drawn from the 12 surrounding counties.

Suitable land and buildings available, ready zoned, with utilities, water, sewer and power, at low cost.

Desirable location on the mid-Atlantic seaboard, with easy access to I-95 and I-64 Interstate expressways. Essex County is the focal point for the Middle and Northern Peninsulas with a well developed transporation, utility and water traffic infrastructure.

Existing and compounding market hub for 8 surrounding counties drawing on a population of 80,000.

A country lifestyle, focusing on family values with excellent hospitals, schools, and medical facilities - situated on Virginia's cleanest river - the Rappahannock.

Business-friendly and welcoming local government and community.

Lowe's Supercenter - opening January 2006

Essex 5 Cinema - grand opening held August 2000

Sheetz Incorporated - grand opening held June 2000

Peebles Department Store - grand opening held October 1999

Walmart SuperCenter - opened store in 1991 expanded again in 1996

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

LOCAL ECONOMY

Essex County and the Town of Tappahannock serve as a regional trade center due to its strategic location at the intersection of Routes 17 and 360.

The economy is varied, from agriculture to manufacturing to services. Principal types of industrial establishments are garment, automotive parts and plastic injection molding, metal stamping, and assembly manufacturers.

Major commercial establishments are service-related with food, lodging and retail sales predominating. Agriculture, forestry and fishing industries still play a role in the local economy, with many establishments serving these industries.

AREA DEMOGRAPHICS

TAPPAHANNOCK

The only incorporated town in Essex County, Tappahannock is the bustling center of Essex County and home to a growing residential base, a thriving business community, and an expanding industrial area which sits on the shores of the Rappahannock River. In less than three square miles, Tappahannock exhibits many positive features including a waterfront, historic downtown, residential subdivisions and homes and neighborhoods along the beautiful river, a business corridor development and an expanding industrial district located near the town's airport, and extensive wetland areas.

Today Tappahannock is a thriving commercial center, attracting shoppers from the Northern Neck and much of the upper Middle Peninsula, including shoppers from King and Queen, Caroline, Richmond, Westmoreland and Northumberland counties. Along U.S. Routes 17 and 360, a flourishing commercial district is home to scores of local businesses not to mention a host of national retail, restaurant, and service chains and franchise establishments. As G. Gayle Belfield, Jr., the Town Manager explains, "Tappahannock is unique. We can blend the commercial sector, in its own independent scene, and still maintain the small-town image and small-town atmosphere. Neighbors know each other; they have coffee with each other every morning. We have a historic district. People can just drive down the street from their home and shop, yet the shopping areas are not jammed in front of their homes." All of that within 2.75 square miles.

LOCATION

Located on Virginia's Middle Peninsula, Essex County is centrally situated just outside the Washington to Norfolk urban crescent. Nearby cities include:

Washington, D.C. 100 miles North
Norfolk 95 miles South
Richmond 45 miles SW
I-95 / Exit #12: 47 miles
I-295 / Exit #37: 38 miles

The historic cities of Fredericksburg (50 miles north) and Williamsburg (56 miles SE) are within an hour's drive. Bounded on the northeast by the Rappahannock River, Essex County has water access to the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries including major port facilities at Hampton Roads.

The County's principal town, Tappahannock, dates back to a 17th century port settlement. Originally part of Old Rappahannock County, Essex County was formed in 1692 and named for either the English County or the Earl of Essex.

GOVERNMENT

Essex County is governed by a four member Board of Supervisors. A County Administrator oversees the daily operation of the County.

The Town of Tappahannock is governed by a seven-member Town Council headed by a Mayor. A Town Manager handles the town's daily activities.

Both the County and town have adopted a comprehensive plan and a zoning ordinance.

Planning and coordination throughout the Middle Peninsula are provided by The Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission. The Planning District covers Essex, Middlesex, Gloucester, Mathews, King & Queen and King William with the mission "To improve public health, safety, convenience and welfare, and to provide for the social, economic and physical development of communities and metropolitan areas of the Commonwealth on a sound and orderly basis, within a governmental framework and economic environment which fosters constructive growth and efficient administration."

The Virginia Department of Business Assistance is the state agency devoted to the growth and prosperity of Virginia’s business community including Essex County. This is accomplished through offering businesses access to capital, workforce training and business information and assistance. You business can reach VDBA by visiting www.dba.state.va.us, by calling our Virginia Business Information Center (VBIC) at 1-866-248-8814 or by e-mailing VBIC@dba.virginia.gov. VBIC representatives typically respond to business related inquiries within 24-hours.