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The
ECONOMIC ENGINE
Caroline County Economic Development & Tourism Newsletter
In This Issue of The Engine
Booth Sesquicentennial A Success
John Rock Saw Mill Ribbon Cutting
Taco Bell Ribbon Cutting
Junior Achievement Partnership
EDA Business Appreciation Event
“Loving” Film to be shot in Caroline
Spring 2015
On April 24 Taco Bell and
Caroline County cut the ribbon
on BurgerBusters’ new store on
Rt. 207. The new restaurant is
another dining opportunity for the
citizens of Caroline and the many
travelers of Interstate 95. Board
of Supervisors Chairman, Calvin
Taylor welcomed Taco Bell, and
Mattaponi District Supervisor,
Floyd Thomas recognized Taco
Bell as another source of jobs
and revenue for the County.
Taco Bell has hired over 20
employees to operate the new
store.
Chairman Calvin Taylor (center) and Mattaponi District Supervisor, Floyd Thomas (far left) with Taco Bell Executives
and Co. Staff
EDA Business
Appreciation Reception
Well Attended
Kim Taylor Honored
with Civic Award
Miles Stevens Wins
Scholarship
Mildred and Richard Loving in their attorney’s office, c 1967
“Loving” Movie to be Filmed in Caroline
On May 18th Governor Terry McAuliffe announced that Virginia
has been selected as the filming location for Loving, a motion
picture based on the true story of Richard and Mildred Loving, a
Caroline County couple who, in 1958, were arrested for
violating a state law prohibiting interracial marriage. The couple
sued, and their case was ultimately heard in 1967 by the United
States Supreme Court, becoming a landmark civil rights case in
defense of marriage equality.
Caroline County will be the site of some location shoots. Two
sites have been mentioned, the County Courthouse and the old
County jail. Filming is anticipated to begin in September of 2015.
The film stars Ruth Negga (World War Z, ) and Joel Edgerton
(The Great Gatsby, Zero Dark Thirty). It will be directed by Jeff
Nichols (Mud, Take Shelter) and was inspired by The Loving
Story, a documentary that aired on HBO. The documentary was
produced and directed by Nancy Buirski. She is also producing
the feature film version with Sarah Green, who last worked in
Virginia as a producer for the Terrence Malick film The New
World. Other producers include Colin Firth, Ged Doherty, Marc
Turtletaub and Peter Saraf. Brian Kavanaugh-Jones and Jack
Turner are executive producers.
The Caroline County Department of Economic Development &
Tourism has been working with producers Nancy Buirski and Ged
Doherty for two years on filming locations. Filming in Caroline
may mean additional meals and sales taxes for the County, and
notoriety that accompanies the making of a major motion picture.
This article written with the assistance of the Virginia Film Office
The Economic Development Authority’s
Business Appreciation reception held at
the Mansion at Meadow Event Park
was well attended in part due to
combining the annual celebration of
Caroline businesses with that of the
Chamber of Commerce's CIVIC Award
ceremony.
Over one hundred business leaders
heard EDA Vice Chairman, Mordechai
Andrews outline the County’s growth
over 2014; Past Chairman of the Board
of Supervisors, Floyd Thomas,
(Mattaponi District) spoke on the
importance of County government to
provide a supportive environment for
business growth and success; and
Sarah Hallett, marketing manager for
the Meadow Event Park, outlined a bold
new future for the County’s tourism
crown jewel, the State Fair of Virginia.
Making the evening especially festive
was the CIVIC Award ceremony
honoring Kim Taylor for her outstanding
contribution to the community and
schools through participating in
numerous events and committees.
Mr. Miles Stevens was also honored
during the evening by winning the
J. Kemp Smith Scholarship. His
outstanding academic effort reflects his
personal dedication to excellence, and
the success of Caroline County
Public Schools.
Sponsors for the evening were the
Caroline County Board of Supervisors,
the Caroline County EDA, the Caroline
Chamber of Commerce, Silver
Companies, Rappahannock Electric
Cooperative; Dominion Resources, Inc.,
Sands Anderson, PC, and Meadow
Event Park which donated the facility
for the event without cost.
John Rock Saw
Mill
Ribbon Cut
Bowling Green District
Supervisor, Jeff Sili, cut the
ribbon to open the new John
Rock saw mill in Sparta, May
20th.
Owner, Bill MacCauley and
manager, Steve Hedrick
were on hand along with
Sherriff Tony Lippa and
Economic Development
Authority member, Danny
Carter.
The John Rock saw mill is a
state of the art facility of
approximately 30,000 sq. ft.
and a Six Million Dollar
investment in Caroline hiring
about thirty employees.
John Rock is creating lumber
that is shipped to its
Pennsylvania plant for
construction into pallets.
John Rock is one of the
largest pallet makers in
America.
Caroline County is pleased
to be able to announce yet
another industrial
investment that will bring
greater prosperity to the
community.
Assistant County Administrator, Alan Partin and Director
of Economic Development ,
Gary Wilson, provided
support for the event.
Bowling Green District Supervisor, Jeff Sili with John Rock Executives Opening the Facility
Junior Achievement Sponsored
In April Caroline High School students enrolled in the course,
“Economics and Personal Finance,” and participated in an exciting
visit to the campus of Junior Achievement of Central Virginia to
experience Finance Park; a practical application of business and
financial knowledge.
Prior to visiting Finance Park, the Economics and Personal Finance
teachers at CHS led all students in personal finance instruction. This
instruction included 13 required lessons that are aligned to the state
standards. These lessons were supported by materials and lesson
plans supplied by Junior Achievement (JA). The classroom
experience culminated in an exciting, daylong visit to JA Finance
Park on Broad Street in Richmond.
The reality-based simulation gave students the opportunity to apply
classroom learning by creating a family budget based on hypothetical
life situations.
Students developed personal budgets that included expenditures for
housing, food, savings, transportation, entertainment, health care,
utilities, clothing, and education. They recognized the impact of credit
history on budget planning and purchasing options. Volunteers and
teachers served as mentors throughout the day, offering help in
decision-making and sharing real-world experiences.
This visit to Finance Park was made possible through a partnership
between Caroline County Public Schools and the Caroline County
Board of Supervisors through its Department of Economic
Development & Tourism.
President and Mrs. Lincoln
in Caroline
Actors, Michael Krebs and Deborah
Anne Miller portrayed President and
Mrs. Lincoln on the third weekend of
April as a part of the County’s
sesquicentennial commemoration of the
capture of John Wilkes Booth in
Caroline.
The players were part of a weekend of
activities that included a tour of Booth’s
route into Caroline, a talk by the Park
Service on the history of the County
during the Civil War, and a presentation
by Dr. Terry Alford, author of Fortune’s
Fool, a biography of the assassin.
President and Mrs. Lincoln Meet Caroline County Students at the Visitor Center
Meadow Event Park Makes History
The Meadow Event Park announced on May 28th that the Birthplace
of Triple Crown Champion, Secretariat, has been named to the
National Register of Historic Places by the National Park Service. The
locations such as the foaling shed, barn and similar structures are
now collectively known as the Meadow Historic District.
The Meadow is owned by the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation which
puts on the State Fair of Virginia on the site each year in late
September.
Krebs and Miller received rave reviews
as President and Mrs. Lincoln in their
Sunday Bowling Green performance. In
addition, they played to hundreds of
Caroline school children who came to
the Visitor Center to tour the History
Mobile that was a part of the historic
weekend.
Their performances will soon be
available on the County web site,
www.visitcaroline.com.
Being on the National Register of Historic Places is a tangible
recognition of the contribution made by Secretariat and other great
racing champions to come from Caroline County.
Statistics You Should Know
Caroline County’s unemployment in April was down to 5.3%, from
March, 5.6%. There were 13,883 people working in Caroline in April.
Previously owned homes in Caroline sold at a higher percentage
than any other community in an eight county region, up 39%. New
home sales, however, were down 11% from the previous year. Perhaps this is a signal to developers to start building new inventory in
Caroline’s booming real estate market.
Housing study conducted by: Integra Realty Resources-Richmond; and
included the Communities: Caroline, Chesterfield, Goochland, Hanover,
Henrico, New Kent and Powhatan and the city of Richmond.
The Economic Engine
was produced by:
Caroline County Department of
Economic Development &
Tourism Staff
Gary R. Wilson, Director
Department of Economic
Development & Tourism
23724 Rogers Clark Blvd.
Ruther Glen, Virginia 22546
Office: (804) 633.4074
www.visitcaroline.com/
economic.html