Doing Business in Nelson County: Profile of Nelson County

Profile of Nelson County

LOCATION
Nelson County is located in the central part of Virginia midway between the metropolitan areas of Charlottesville and Lynchburg. The economy has traditionally been based on agriculture and natural resource-based industry such as timber and quarrying. The scenic surroundings have attracted recreational development in recent years, most notably the 10,800-acre Wintergreen Resort in northwest Nelson County.
Nelson County is approximately 30 miles from both Charlottesville and Lynchburg; 150 miles southwest of Washington, D.C.; 100 miles west of Richmond, the state capital; and 191 miles from Norfolk.

DEMOGRAPHICS
Projected Population for 2008 - 18,379
Per Capita Personal Income - $22,230 (2000)
Unemployment Rate - 3.0% February 2004
Educational Attainment - 69% of populations 25 years and older are high school graduates; 21% of population 25 years and older have earned a Bachelor's Degree or higher (2000 census)

MAJOR LOCAL EMPLOYERS
Manufacturing:
American Fibers & Yarn (synthetic yarn), 50 - 99 employees
California Sidecar Escapade Trailer (Motorcycle trailers), 20 -49 employees
Non-manufacturing:
Central Virginia Electric Cooperative (Utility) 100 - 299 employees
Wintergreen Resorts 600 -999 employees

TRANSPORTATION
Interstates: I-64 (24 miles north)
Highways: U.S. 29 (north-south), U.S. 60 (east-west)
Motor Carriers: 11 trucking firms serve the area
Commercial Air Service: Lynchburg Regional Airport (36 miles), and Charlottesville/Albemarle Airport (43 miles)
General Aviation Service: Lynchburg Regional Airport and Charlottesville/Albemarle Airport
Freight Rail Service: Norfolk Southern Corporation
Port: Richmond (100 miles), Norfolk (191 miles)
Overnight Package Delivery: Federal Express, United Parcel Service, and U.S. Mail Express serve this area.

UTILITIES
Electric: American Electric Power and Central Virginia Electric Cooperative
Natural Gas: N.A.
Telecommunications: Verizon Communications (Local Service), Sprint United Telephone (Local Service), nTelos (Local Service)
Water: Lovingston, Schuyler, Wintergreen
Waste Water Treatment: Lovingston, Schuyler
Solid Waste Disposal: Nelson County Transfer Station, Waste Managment
Cable: Nelson County Cablevision

FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
BB & T $97 billion (2004)
Community First Bank $160 million (2004)
Guaranty Bank $219 million (2004)
Wachovia Bank, N.A.: Headquartered outside Virginia

GOVERNMENT
Nelson County has a County Administrator and a five-member Board of Supervisors. The county has a comprehensive plan and zoning and subdivision ordinances. Lovingston is the county seat. There are no incorporated towns within the county.
Local Real Estate Tax Rate: $0.72 per $100.00 of assessed value

EDUCATION
2 Elementary Schools with a Fall 2003 enrollment of 870
1 Middle School with a Fall 2003 Enrollment of 508
1 High School with a Fall 2003 Enrollment of 637
2001-02 Elementary Student Teacher ratio 13:1
2001-02 Secondary Student Teacher ratio 10:1
2002-03 per pupil expenditure $7342
Percentage of 1998-99 ninth grade membership graduating (2001-2002) 78%
Percentage of high school graduates continuing education (2001-2002) 69%
North Branch School fall 2003 enrollment of 80
Private Schools: Tuckahoe Primary and Pre School fall enrollment of 32

Vocational Training Facilities:
Nelson County High School
Nelson Middle School

Higher Education Facilities:
University of Virginia
Piedmont Virginia Community College
Sweet Briar College