Congressman Robert Hurt Attends Groundbreaking Ceremony for Commonwealth Crossing Business Centre

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Robert Hurt (R-Virginia), along with Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-Virginia) and Senators Mark Warner (D-Virginia) and Tim Kaine (D-Virginia), today attended the Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Commonwealth Crossing Business Centre, Henry County and Martinsville's newest business park.  Earlier this month, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) issued a long-awaited permit to the Henry County Industrial Development Authority to proceed with development of the site, a major economic development initiative.

 

Henry County and the Martinsville-Henry Co. Economic Development Corp. have long worked to secure a permit from the USACE for site preparation to attract job-creating manufacturing firms to the county.  Congressman Robert Hurt, along with Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner and Congressman Morgan Griffith, introduced legislation to address the flawed regulatory interpretation of the Corps that has led to the longstanding road block in Henry and Pittsylvania counties.  The Commonsense Permitting for Job Creation Act (H.R. 2937) was introduced in August 2013 and would allow for job creation at economic development sites while ensuring commonsense environmental protections.

 

Hurt said, "Today marks a great day for the people of Henry County and Martinsville.  This area is blessed with skilled and hardworking individuals who have been looking for opportunities to get back to work. Commonwealth Crossing will provide exactly the opportunities that so many have looked for in recent years. 

 

"This region has a proud history in manufacturing and I firmly believe that Commonwealth Crossing is an important step toward enhancing job growth in our area.  I sincerely thank our local officials in Henry County and Martinsville, who have worked diligently to complete this project and bring jobs to Southside Virginia."