(Cascade) — Sounds like we’re going to get some big news this week out of the Berry Hill Mega Park. And it involves ten-digit dollar amounts!
The Danville Pittsylvania County Regional Industrial Facility Authority this week will vote on a Local Performance Agreement for an unnamed industry that will locate in the Southern Virginia Megasite at Berry Hill. The industry promises more than one-point-three billion dollars in capital investments and the creation of 2,015 full-time jobs with an average yearly base wage of over $58,090.85.
In return, the industry gets a real estate and machinery and tools tax rebate for its first 12 years of operation. The performance agreement also includes a two million-dollar Enterprise Zone Jobs Grant from the city and county, the waiving of a million dollars in local building zoning and land disturbance permit fees. There’s also a Land Cost Grant up to eleven and a half million dollars.
Governor Glenn Youngkin is scheduled to attend what his office is calling a “major economic development announcement” Wednesday morning at eleven.
That’s not the only big news coming out of Berry Hill this week. State and local leaders will come together Tuesday to open a key transportation link to the Mega Park.
Virginia Transportation Secretary Shep Miller will join local leaders to cut the ribbon on the Berry Hill Connector Road Tuesday at 11:00am. The road was first designed 15 years ago.
Vic Ingram, Chairman of the Danville-Pittsylvania County Regional Industrial Facility Authority says the connector road will improve mobility and safety on Route 58 and will reduce travel times for those accessing the Megasite.
This week’s big announcement will allow local business leaders to begin a gas distribution upgrade at the Berry Hill Mega Park.
The Regional Industrial Facility Authority will vote on an agreement with Southwestern Virginia Gas Company for natural gas infrastructure work at Berry Hill.
Specifically, RIFA will get to draw down on a 20 million dollar loan approved last year by the Tobacco Commission to pay for a new and improved gas gate and service extension at Berry Hill. This connects the park directly to the TransCo Williams Pipeline.
The Tobacco Commission’s loan was contingent on Berry Hill landing a major employer.