Lunenburg to hold public hearing on sale of 151 acres of land
A third and final entry this week for this experimental newsletter about Virginia's Fifth District
Today is Lunenburg County’s time to shine! Their Board of Supervisors’ meeting tomorrow is the only session left this week and there’s not too much in the packet. But I got interested in the role the Tyson closure is playing in economic development in the eastern portion of the Fifth District. Click through some of the links.
As I keep saying, this is an experimental newsletter that is funded by those who contribute to Town Crier Productions through Patreon. That’s the company I set up three years ago to help pull down revenue to do this work. At some point I’ll turn the Substack subscriptions on here, but for now, a contribution through Patreon would be a good way to celebrate my birthday!
And don’t forget to read the Reading Material section to see what other journalists are writing about across the Fifth District!
Lunenburg to hold public hearing on sale of 151 acres of land
The seven member Board of Supervisors in Lunenberg County meets at 6 p.m. at 160 Courthouse Square. This could be in either the Historic Court Room or the General District Court Room due to an ongoing jury trial. (meeting packet)
After the invocation, the Pledge of Allegiance, and other introductions to the meeting, there will be a resolution honoring achievements made by both the Central High School Track Team and the Central High School Varsity Softball Team. The latter made it to the quarterfinals of the State Tournament in Chincoteague.
“The Central High School Varsity Softball Team took a 4-1 loss to Rye Cove in an intense eleven inning semi-final game,” reads the resolution.
There will be a public hearing on the disposition of 151 acres of land owned by Lunenberg County to a private entity. There’s not much information about this in the packet.
The packet does contain a resignation letter from Lunenberg County Schools Superintendent Charles M. Berkley, Jr. He’s lived and worked in the county his whole life.
“Very few school superintendents have the privilege of working in the county they grew up in and attended school,” Berkley wrote.
From the packet we also learn that efforts continue to attract a new poultry company to the area following the recent closure of the Tyson Foods plant. Melody Foster, executive director of the Commonwealth Regional Council, wrote in a July 21 email that a feasibility study for that purpose would be the next step.
“The CRC would be happy to assist in applying for an [Agriculture and Forest Industry Development] Planning Grant to help fund a feasibility study,” Foster wrote, adding this would be fast-tracked given the number of people out of work.
Some news articles on this topic:
Update: Tyson plant closing in Hanover, 692 jobs to be cut, Sean Jones, Richmond Times-Dispatch, March 13, 2023
Tyson Foods' decision to close its Virginia chicken plant shocks the community: 'It's very sad', Jake Burns, WTVR, March 14, 2023
Tyson will close poultry plants in Virginia and Arkansas that employ more than 1,600, Associated Press, March 15, 2023
Tyson Foods plant closure raises antitrust concerns among US farmers, experts, Leah Douglas and Tom Palansek, Reuters, March 24, 2023
Tyson Foods faces scrutiny over plant closures, Kim Souza, Talk Business & Politics, March 28, 2023
Tyson Foods to get $6 million in state funds for new facility as Glen Allen plant closes, Jakob Cordes, April 13, 2023
Tyson Food plant in Glen Allen officially shuts its doors, Alexis Bellamy, WRIC-8, May 12, 2023
Reading material
With a 'cradle-to-career strategy,' Danville-Pittsylvania County United Way supports 15 agencies, Charles Wilborn, Danville Register & Bee (paywall), August 8, 2023
Bedford County releases communication-based survey to the public, Lynchburg News & Advance, August 8, 2023
'It's collapsing and becoming meaningless': Changes to UVa honor system divide alumni, Faith Redd, Charlottesville Daily Progress (paywall), August 8, 2023
Hanover School Board outlines teacher responsibilities in controversial book policy, Delaney Murrary, WRIC-TV, August 8, 2023
Felony charges against Del. Fariss are certified to the grand jury, Markus Schmidt, Cardinal News, August 8, 2023
Farmville Police look to crack down on illegal parking around town, Olivia Hayes, Farmville Herald, August 8, 2023
AI weapons detection startups compete with industry giant in expanding Va. school market, JW Caterine, Virginia Mercury, August 9, 2023
Community concern stalls improvements at Penhook marina, Jason Dunovant, Roanoke TImes (via Danville Register & Bee), August 9, 2023