My Point

By Teri Pace
District 4 Supervisor
Published: June 26, 2008

The opportunity of a century doesn’t knock twice. We have such a prospect at our front door and it is only our lack of imagination that will determine whether we take advantage of it or not. I am talking about the economic development area on Route 3 in Orange County, approximately 2,000 acres owned by the King family. This land begins behind the 7-Eleven on Route 3 and stretches all the way to the Rapidan River.
When we consider economic development, it is important that we do not diminish or compromise the thriving economic base that exists now. Out of the 97 counties across Virginia, Orange County ranks 13th in total agricultural cash receipts. Every successful businessman or woman knows that when you have an asset that very few others have, you take that asset and enhance and promote it. You would never deplete it. Therefore, when we consider economic development on Route 3, it is vitally important that we consider Orange County’s assets and how to encourage them so that present and future generations will have opportunities.
The location and size of this tract of land offer Orange County and the property owners a wealth of unique opportunities if we are determined enough to pursue them. This location-being an hour and 30 minutes from both our nation’s capital and state capital-is ideal for development as a resort/spa/conference center. This is an opportunity of a lifetime. This kind of economic development would augment and boost both agriculture and tourism. The restaurants could feature our local wines, cheeses, fresh fruits and vegetables. The location is such that the Chancellorsville Battlefield is to the east, the Wilderness Battlefield is to the south, Governor Spotswood’s Fort which is the last identified historical site to be developed in Virginia, lies to the west and to the north is the Rapidan River.
The development of this resort would only be limited by our imaginations. We could offer canoeing, kayaking, tubing, swimming, fishing along the river, or even campsites or cabins near the river. In another section there could be secluded honeymoon cottages. Horseback riding on 2,000 acres of trails could be offered and would be a sought-after pleasure for many, along with golf, archery and hiking trails. In the more developed portions, there could be the main hotel/hotels with a spa center, tennis courts, swimming pool, mom-and-pop boutiques, restaurants, amphitheater, farmers’ market and service-oriented businesses to support the resort/conference center.
We don’t need to compete with surrounding counties that all offer the same thing-office parks and big boxes. We have the opportunity to embark on a totally unique economic prospect that will render prosperity to Orange County, its citizens, and the developers for generations to come. Furthermore, it will complement our existing economic assets of agriculture and tourism rather than reduce them (which is what office parks and big boxes will do). It sets us apart and makes us a premier destination for visitors. It brings outside money into the county and provides varied and sundry economic opportunities for many, such as entrepreneurs, restauranteurs, florists, groundskeepers, hairdressers, spa specialists, nature guides, equestrians, stablehands, golf pros and managers. This offers our community much more opportunity than the best office parks or big boxes could ever render. Our citizens deserve better than $8 an hour cashier and stocking jobs provided by big box employment or the urbanization that occurs as a result of people moving in for office park employment.
Let us not be defined by the sameness that has obliterated other localities.
This is our moment to stand out and define ourselves; let us not turn our backs on the opportunity of a century.