News Article

Bolling Visits Scottsville To Discuss Hyosung

Monday, March 29, 2010
Julie Bercik
NBC 29 Charlottesville

Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling made a stop in Scottsville Monday afternoon. He met with town leaders to see if another business could set up shop in the former Hyosung plant.

The plant employed 106 people and its closing badly hurt Scottsville's economy. But rather than have another empty building in town, Scottsville leaders are taking a proactive approach, looking at other possibilities for the facility and that is earning them high marks from the lieutenant governor.

"The folks here in Scottsville took the bull by the horns," said Bolling. "They're the ones driving this."

Scottsville leaders have been working with Virginia's Economic Development Partnership for three months now. The partnership has toured the 150,000 square foot facility and met with the mayor and town administrators to see what can be done with the former manufacturing plant.

"We're here today to meet with the local government and report on results of the study," Bolling stated.

The results could not be released prior to the meeting, but the chairman of Scottsville's Enhancement Oversight Committee, Barry Grove, says the site could be used for a number of things other than manufacturing.

"This would make a beautiful education facility site or medical facility," he said.

The governor's office says before any action is taken, he wants to know what those who live in Scottsville would like to see happen. Once that is determined, the next step is marketing it on a local, county, regional and state level.

"It's important to us to know what is the local community's vision," Bolling explained. "We'll work with them in effort to trying to market the property and figure out what businesses across Virginia, across the country or around the world."

"I'm open for anything," said Town Administrator Clark Drapier. "Anything that gets people back to work."

This study fits right in line with the governor's jobs initiative. He is the state's chief job creator, and says it is important to get Virginians back to work as soon as possible.

To update you on the plan, production stopped March 20; only a handful of employees remain, cleaning the facility. The building will be empty by the end of April.

For additional information contact Ibbie Hedrick at 804-225-2487 or ibbie.hedrick@ltgov.virginia.gov.