Isle of Wight County’s economy is growing as the rural area maintains its small-town roots.

For the first time since 2019, the Isle of Wight Chamber of Commerce presented the State of the County this week under the guidance of its new president, Catarina Johnson.

More than 100 people gathered at the sold-out event at Smithfield Center to hear about the area’s economic plans from Smithfield Mayor Mike Smith, Windsor Mayor George Stubbs and Don Rosie II, chairman of the Isle of Wight Board of Supervisors.

Smith started with the town’s parks and recreation improvements and plans. A master plan is being finalized for expanding Luter Sports Complex, which recently had repairs to the concession and restroom facilities completed. A maintenance facility will be constructed next year, he noted.

“That will allow the town to host more regional and national baseball tournaments that will bring visitors from all over the East Coast and United States,” he said.

Repairs were recently made to Windsor Castle Park’s five bridges with the help of federal American Rescue Plan funding, he said.

On the horizon, economic development projects include a proposed mixed-use development located off Benns Church Boulevard near Tractor Supply in Smithfield. Called The Promontory, it’s on approximately 133 acres on a former sand-mining site. It will feature 210 various-sized homes with commercial properties such as restaurants and a bank.

A Sheetz convenience store is also planned along Benns Church Boulevard near the Sherwin-Williams paint store and the town line.

The Pinewood Heights Industrial Park Overlay District was recently approved by Town Council for redevelopment of the neighborhood.

Master planning for utilities to support a small commercial industrial park is underway. This will provide needed space for local contractors to have offices and warehouses.

Smithfield is preparing to host programming for the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution next year and the related Sail250 Virginia event in June. That will include visiting historic ships, lectures and historical exhibits, he said. Smith said the Isle of Wight County Museum is also working to digitize all historical records for public use online.

In the town of Windsor, Stubbs opened with: “A lot has been happening in Windsor over the last year. It’s surprising how much goes on in a small town.”

He said homes are being constructed in the Windsor Station subdivision located on Shiloh Drive. Three homebuilders will each construct 20 single-family homes.

Town Council will consider the proposed Windsor Acres subdivision in October. It will include 14 single-family homes on large lots, he said.

There are new eateries: Redd’s Filling Station Chicken and Ice Cream opened last month with family-friendly games. Stella’s Kitchen serving African cuisine will open soon, he added.

Rosie said 200 new businesses opened in Isle of Wight County over the past year. Most are locally owned, small businesses. Taxes from sales increased 17%, bringing about $1 million into the county.

The 352,000-square-foot 460 Commerce Center, built on a 43 acres owned by the Isle of Wight County Economic Development Authority, is expected to be completed in late September and is seeking tenants. The center is intended for light manufacturing or large-scale logistics/distribution, Rosie said.

The former Keurig Green Mountain distribution center is actively being marketed. Located in Windsor, it closed at the end of 2024 after 12 years in the county, leaving 379 employees without jobs. No reason was given.

Another facility being “actively marketed” near Windsor is the Tidewater Logistics Center, which has four warehouses totaling around 726,000 square feet on 154 acres. Rosie noted it being on Route 460, a prime logistics corridor between Hampton Roads and Richmond and close to the Port of Virginia’s major marine terminals.

A new industry being considered is data centers because of the availability of land, Rosie said.

He concluded that he would like to see the county, which tallies 212 farms, to continue to be 80% rural.

“Let’s continue to work hard to manage responsible growth with the right business in the right place,” Rosie said.

https://www.pilotonline.com/2025/09/12/isle-of-wight-state-of-county/