Economic Study | Plan RVA

Environment

Lower Chickahominy

Lower Chickahominy Economic Studies

2019 Economic Study Findings

As part of the data gathering and analysis process, a team from George Mason University's Center for Regional Analysis and Urban Analytics, Inc. conducted an economic study of the three counties in the Lower Chickahominy area. The study sought to answer two key questions about the role of natural resource conservation in the study area localities.

Do conservation easements negatively impact a locality's fiscal bottom line?

Answer - No, conservation easements do not negatively impact a locality's bottom line. In fact, for every dollar spent on services to land with conservation easements, revenue to each county in the study area is estimated to be greater. This revenue generation holds true even when factoring in a reduced tax rate on land conserved with conservation easements due to the use-value taxation policy in Virginia. The Study's authors indicated that this expenditure-revenue relationship is projected to hold true in future years and that additional conserved land in each county should not invert the relationship either.

Lands Under Conservation Easement

Do conserved natural lands contribute to the area's economy?

Answer - Yes, businesses and organizations that are directly reliant on conserved lands contribute to the area's economy and local tax revenues. Directly affected businesses are those that indicate “but for the presence” of conserved lands and their impacts on the environment, their businesses would not exist. These businesses include seasonal eco-tourism operations, marinas, restaurants, campgrounds, and retailers who specifically cater to outdoor enthusiasts. Relevant local government park operations are considered directly affected businesses too; the jobs they provide and wages they pay are part of the area's economy.

Organizations directly related to land conservation in the Lower Chickahominy study area supported about 100 direct jobs in 2018. The economic activity related to this direct employment generated almost $8.4 million in regional economic output, boosted area value added by almost $4.4 million, and supported a total of 118 jobs paying $2.5 million in salaries, wages, and benefits. Local governments received an estimated $368,000 in revenues associated with this economic activity.

Economic Impact of Direct Organization Spending (2018)

Description Impact

Output (economic activity) $8,369,000

Gross Regional Product (value-added) $4,376,000

Labor Income (salaries, wages, benefits) $2,486,000

Jobs (headcount) 118

Local Tax Revenues $368,000

You can download the full Economic Study here:

SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF CONSERVED LAND IN THE LOWER CHICKAHOMINY RIVER WATERSHED

2020 Target Industry and Value Chain Analysis Report

The Center for Regional Analysis at George Mason University recently completed this report looking at environmentally sensitive target industries for the Lower Chickahominy watershed and the value chains that support them.

Download the full report here.

Learn more about conservation easements.

What is use-value taxation of conservation easements?

In Virginia land under a conservation easement is assessed for taxation purposes at the use-value for open space. As stated in the Code of Virginia, the use-value is the “reduction in the fair market value of the land that results from the inability of the owner of the to use such property for uses terminated by the easement." In other words, land under a conservation easement is taxed a lower rate than non-eased land due to the inability of the owner to develop the property.