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Albemarle County Community Digest
March 2024
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Welcome to another monthly edition of the Albemarle County Community Digest. Thank you for subscribing and being an engaged member of our community! Please share this email with any friends, family, and neighbors who might be interested in staying informed. | |
Upcoming Events & Opportunities | |
Join Us at Our Community Town Hall and Open House Events | |
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Join us at one of our town halls hosted throughout the county! These events provide the community the opportunity to engage with us, ask questions, and provide feedback to the Board of Supervisors and Albemarle County staff.
Each town hall will begin with an open house with displays of current County projects, then transition into a presentation by County staff covering the recommended budget, traffic and safety insights, and updates on transportation projects in the area (recent, current, and future). Following the presentation, the floor will open for an audience Q&A session.
View more details on other upcoming dates and add to your calendar. Learn more about what's happening in your community! At each of these events, you’ll have a chance to:
✔️ Meet your friends and neighbors.
✔️ Learn about County projects, the proposed FY25 budget, transportation, traffic safety, and more.
✔️ Speak with County staff and elected officials.
✔️ Get engaged in your community.
We look forward to seeing you there!
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Albemarle County Parks and Recreation (ACPR) Updates | |
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Registration for Spring Break Camp is Now Open
Parks and Recreation is sponsoring a Spring Break Camp at Greenwood Community Center! These programs for children aged six to thirteen consist of organized recreational activities, sports, games, contests, arts & crafts, roller skating, special events, and more.
The camp runs daily on April 1 - 5 from 8 am – 5:30 pm and costs $160 per child. Registration online is now open. Don't delay, only a limited number of spots are still available. Sign up today online.
Happening soon: Registration Opens Monday, April 1 for Summer Recreation Camp 2024
Parks and Recreation will be sponsoring a Summer Recreation Camp at seven locations. This program is for children ages six to thirteen and includes organized recreational activities, sports, games, contests, arts & crafts, and special events. This program is run in coordination with summer school, but participants don't have to attend summer school to sign up for the camp. Learn more about this year's Summer Recreation Camp and apply online starting April 1.
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Spring 2024 Community Read: Read With Us and Save the Date | |
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For our spring 2024 Community Read, we have chosen the book All We Can Save: Truth, Courage, and Solutions for the Climate Crisis as the feature read.
We acknowledge the valuable role women play in our community (and world), and encourage you to read with us! This book is an anthology of writings by 60 women at the forefront of climate work. All We Can Save highlights an intersection between the historically significant contributions women have made to improvements in our society and environment. It also addresses the importance of climate resilience and the awareness of climate impacts over time. Copies of the book will be available to pick up for free at these locations:
SAVE THE DATE and RSVP! Our special Community Read panel event, celebrating Women’s History Month and Earth Day will be held Sunday, April 21 from 1 - 3 pm at Jefferson-Madison Regional Library (JMRL) Central Branch, 201 E Market St, Charlottesville, VA 22902. Add this event to your calendar!
At the event, there will be opportunities to learn about helpful resources related to climate work, to celebrate women, as well as chances to keep exploring ways we can equip and inspire our community to learn how to imagine a more inclusive and equitable world. The event will feature a panel discussion about the Community Read book All We Can Save: Truth, Courage, and Solutions for the Climate Crisis. Learn more and RSVP for the event in April here. It’ll be a great event, and we hope you can join us!
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Economic Development Office (EDO) Updates
Opportunity for Local Businesses - Tech Talent on Tap April 9 - Hiring and Networking Event - On Tuesday, April 9 from 5 - 7 pm, our partners at Central Virginia Partnership for Economic Development (CVPED) TechLink talent program, Charlottesville Business Innovation Council (CBIC), and UVA Career Center are hosting Tech Talent on Tap, an employer-college student networking event. This networking event is taking place at the Brick Cellar at Dairy Market (946 Grady Ave, Charlottesville) and will provide an opportunity to inform students about open positions with local companies. Participation is free of charge and parking in the adjacent lot is free. REGISTER HERE by April 5.
Piedmont Pitch Competition - April 10 at City Space on the Downtown Mall - Albemarle County and the City of Charlottesville Offices of Economic Development, alongside the Central Virginia Small Business Development Center (CV SBDC), will host the 2nd Piedmont Pitch Competition on April 10 at 5 pm at City Space on the Downtown Mall. Participants have completed a 10-week program including eight training sessions offered by CV SBDC, pitch preparation with a business advisor, and the opportunity to develop a business plan. Finalists will have the opportunity to pitch for $15,000 in prizes to advance their business. Learn more at https://cvsbdc.org/piedmont-pitch/.
The Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission (TJPDC) Comprehensive Economic Development Plan Draft Available for Public Comment Until April 27 - TJPDC is pleased to announce the release of its Comprehensive Economic Development Plan (CEDS) for public review and comment. Following the requirements set forth by the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA), the CEDS will be available for a 30-day statutory review period, concluding on April 27, 2024.
During this period, the TJPDC encourages all residents, businesses, community organizations, and stakeholders to review the proposed plan and provide valuable feedback. The CEDS outlines a strategic vision and actionable goals aimed at fostering economic growth, job creation, and sustainable development within our community. Your insights and perspectives are crucial in ensuring that the plan accurately reflects the needs and aspirations of our diverse economic landscape. Learn more about the planning process and provide feedback online.
Recap: Virginia Economic Developers Association (VEDA) Spring Conference - This month, EDO staff attended the Virginia Economic Developers Association (VEDA)’s Spring Conference themed, “Exploring the Intersection of Community and Economic Development.”
VEDA is a non-profit, non-partisan membership organization for individuals with a professional interest in economic development in Virginia. VEDA’s activities include:
- Advocating through public policy initiatives
- Educating through professional development programs
- Sharing best practices and innovative strategies
- Promoting the value of economic development
- Supporting the career path of the economic development professional
This year's conference had a record number of attendees who were offered a variety of activities, which included a demo of an autonomous shuttle provided by Albemarle County-based innovators Perrone Robotics, located at North Fork UVA Discovery Park.
(left: Photo Credit Virginia Economic Developers Association)
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Upcoming: Household Hazardous Waste (HHW), Special Collection Days, and Free Mulch
Rivanna Solid Waste Authority (RSWA) operates a limited household hazardous waste collection site at the Ivy Materials Utilization Center (MUC) location. This spring, the upcoming 2024 Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Days will be Friday, April 26, and Saturday, April 27 from 9 am - 2 pm. Upcoming special collection days will be Saturday, May 4 for furniture/mattresses from 8:30 - 4 pm. These dates are only for residents of Albemarle County, Charlottesville, and the Town of Scottsville and are available to Nelson County residents who obtain a voucher from the Nelson County local government.
Learn more about which specific items are accepted for each date and view details for Commercial Hazardous Waste Collection Day, happening on Thursday, April 25: rivanna.org/hhw.
Happening now: The Rivanna Solid Waste Authority is offering FREE mulch to customers of the Ivy Material Utilization Center (MUC), located at 4576 Dick Woods Road, Charlottesville, VA 22903. The FREE freshly ground mulch is from local trees and vegetation with no dyes. The mulch is produced from grinding vegetative debris that has been brought to our facility. No purchase is necessary. Besides beautifying your landscaping, mulch helps to maintain moisture in the soil, reduce weeds, and prevent soil erosion. For more information visit rivanna.org
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Save Electricity. Save Money. Go Solar! | |
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As we step into spring, a pivotal season for sustainable development in our community, we wanted to share an exciting upcoming initiative that gives back to Albemarle County homeowners.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of Solarize Virginia, a campaign dedicated to accelerating Virginia's transition to solar energy. From April 1 to June 30, Albemarle County is partnering with Solarize Virginia to embark on a mission to make solar energy more accessible and affordable.
Let's solarize Virginia together! To sign up for free or learn more information, go to www.solarizeva.org.
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Board Recognition of Women's History Month | |
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The Board of Supervisors has proclaimed March 2024 as Women’s History Month in Albemarle County, VA. We highlight and give special recognition to the women who lead our community and who contribute to a brighter future for all.
Brezhana (Bre) Reed from the Charlottesville National Organization of Women received the proclamation for Women’s History Month. Read the proclamation here.
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Reminder: Renew Your Real Estate Tax Relief by April 1, 2024
Albemarle County offers real estate tax relief to elderly and/or permanently disabled persons. If you received tax relief last year, you must file your application or certification renewal by Monday, April 1 to determine your eligibility prior to the June 25, 2024 real estate tax bills. Read more about the qualifications and renew here.
If you have any questions, or would like assistance completing your certification form or your application, contact Albemarle County's Finance and Budget Department:
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Albemarle County Police Department: 2023 Annual Report
The Albemarle County Police Department published its 2023 Annual Report. From statistics to outreach, the report offers a comprehensive look into the department's commitment to serving the community.
In this report, you will find some of the notable 2023 accomplishments, such as:
- ACPD participated in several new initiatives and partnerships, including the Community Safety Working Group (CSWG), which is a collaborative effort between Albemarle County, the City of Charlottesville, and the University of Virginia to address the root causes of violence and crime in our region. We also joined Project Safe Neighborhoods, a federal program that targets the most violent offenders and gangs in our area and provides grant funding opportunities for community engagement efforts.
- Officers were trained and equipped with Naloxone (Narcan), a life-saving medication that reverses the effects of opioid overdose. Our officers saved 11 lives in 2023 by administering Narcan to individuals who were experiencing an overdose.
- The Human Services Alternative Response Team (HART) was launched. HART is a co-responder model that pairs police, fire rescue, social services, and community partners to respond to mental health calls for service. This innovative approach aims to provide more effective and compassionate care to individuals in crisis while reducing the burden on the criminal justice system.
Dive into the insights and achievements of the past year at www.albemarle.org/police.
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Reminder: Burn Ban Remains in Effect
Virginia’s 4 pm Burning Law is in effect from February 15 through April 30 each year. The 4 pm Burning Law bans open-air burning before 4 pm each day. Burning is allowed between 4 pm and midnight as long as the burner takes proper precautions and attends the fire at all times.
In addition to the state code that limits open-air burning to the hours of 4 pm to midnight only, the Albemarle County code bans all commercial burns (for example, land clearing for development) during the Virginia Department of Forestry's ban of February 15 to April 30.
Learn more about open-air burning guidelines here.
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People & Project Spotlights | |
Albemarle County Fire Rescue (ACFR): Free Smoke Alarm Installations | |
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This month, members of Albemarle County Fire Rescue and volunteers from the Red Cross canvassed the Willow Lake neighborhood to hand out and install smoke alarms. Volunteers connected with 49 residents and installed working smoke alarms in 24 homes at no cost to homeowners.
Reminder: Working smoke alarms are an essential part of your home, and your local fire station is available to check yours. Free smoke alarms are available to homeowners who may not be able to afford and install detectors on their own. Learn more about requesting a smoke alarm and view additional related resources.
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