Economic Development Access Program

The Economic Development Access (EDA) program is a state-funded incentive to assist localities in providing adequate road access to new and expanding manufacturing and processing companies, research and development facilities, distribution centers, regional service centers, corporate headquarters, and other basic employers with at least 51% of the company’s revenue generated from outside the Commonwealth. EDA is administered by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT). Contact Jonathan Liss VDOT 804-371-8764 jonathan.liss vdot.virginia.gov Eligibility Projects that meet the following criteria are generally eligible: Project must be affiliated with a basic employer, meaning 51% or more of the facility’s revenue must be generated outside the Commonwealth. Site must not have adequate access ( a publicly maintained road from the primary entrance of the economic development site to the nearest adequate publicly maintained road). Ancillary improvements, such as turn lanes or intersection modifications, may also be warranted as part of the access project, but are not considered the primary objective of the project. Process A qualified business establishment looking to locate or expand its operations within a Virginia locality will need to work with the local economic development office or governing body to apply for VDOT’s Economic Development Access program. After the qualifying establishment has made a decision to locate on a particular site, the qualifying establishment’s representatives provide the following to the locality with a copy to the VDOT Manager: A letter of intent to the locality in which the business would be locating or expanding that includes a description of the business operation; target dates for building completion; target dates for beginning operation; anticipated capital investment in new equipment; anticipated new employment; type of product manufactured; access road improvements requested; and estimates of the numbers of additional employee vehicles and truck traffic that will use the access road on an average business day. A preliminary plan showing the entire parcel of land, with the locations of the building, other major site features, proposed entrance, proposed access road, and existing public roads and highways in the immediate vicinity of the site. If the site is part of an economic development subdivision, all parcels must be delineated and numbered. The locality contacts the VDOT Manager regarding the proposed EDA request. Local officials request an EDA allocation through a resolution of its governing body and provide a certified copy of the approved resolution to the VDOT Manager. In addition, the locality provides information regarding the business establishment and the proposed access road project to the VDOT Manager. The VDOT Manager assembles and reviews information on the project request and business establishment, forwards the recommendation to the District Administrator (with a copy to the Local Assistance Division), confirms the project design meets established standards, and verifies the project cost estimate. The VDOT District Administrator reviews the project information and provides a recommendation to the Local Assistance Division. The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) reviews the project and establishment information and provides recommendations on the use of EDA funds based on the establishment’s qualifications. The Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) reviews and determines project allocations and formalizes conditions of the allocation expenditures. Resources Program Guide Code of Virginia EDA Program Website FAQ How often and when does the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) meet? The CTB meets once per month (https://www.ctb.virginia.gov/) How long does it take for a project to be approved?

Eligibility Projects that meet the following criteria are generally eligible: