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We could make it more attractive for people contemplating a small business to locate it in town. Some big cities are using so-called “enterprise zones” to revitalize slums. The county could declare its towns and villages enterprise zones for new business, offering incentives such as propertytax abatement for three-to-five years to businesses that employ Rappahannock residents.
Why not think about a Rappahannock Venture Fund to help finance new start-up enterprises? The county could sell, say, $1 million worth of tax-free bonds to create a revolving fund that would offer low-cost loans and incentive grants to county residents who wish to open a business — in one of the., designated villages. Yes, it would mean the county, was going into debt to help small businesses —. but that would be a long-term investment in business growth, jobs, and village revitalization, that would pay off in taxes later. . ,,
Why not plan and zone for attractive, affordable, clustered housing in the towns and villages? Would, a modest townhouse development, clustered around' a village green and subject to architectural nnd. environmental regulation, wreck Flint Hill op Woodville? On the contrary, I believe it would make them more vital places to live, and more attractive places in which to locate a store, workn shop or serve business.
Rappahannock is at a crossroads. Spraxyl is, pressing in from all sides. We can let it run over and ruin this beautiful, peaceful place, or we cart plan another course for our future. Reviving our towns and villages, and preserving pur rural landscapes, offers possibilities both for growth and for preservation. **
The alternative is to be by-passed, strip-malletC ridge-topped and Sprawl-Marted to death. It’s yout choice, Rappahannock.
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