Waynesboro Secures $1.5 Million Grant for Nature’s Crossing Technology Center
WAYNESBORO, Va. – August 6, 2025 — The City of Waynesboro is one step closer to realizing the long-anticipated Nature’s Crossing Technology Center project, having recently been awarded a $1.5 million grant. This funding marks a significant milestone in the development of a major industrial and manufacturing hub that has been in planning for over a decade.
Greg Hitchin, Waynesboro’s Director of Economic Development and Tourism, shared details about the project’s progress during a recent update. The city is actively preparing approximately 170 acres of land for the center, with the primary entrance planned near exit 94 off Interstate 64 on Delphine Avenue. The strategic location aims to attract future manufacturing businesses, particularly those reliant on rail transport.
The grant is part of a broader effort to enhance infrastructure on the site. Waynesboro has previously secured funding to install essential utilities such as water and sewer systems. Among these is support from the Virginia Business Ready Sites Program, a state initiative funded by the General Assembly to develop industrial-ready locations across Virginia.
“There are currently no businesses contracted for the site, but we are targeting companies in manufacturing, especially those that use rail for importing raw materials or shipping products,” Hitchin explained. A Norfolk Southern rail line traverses the industrial site, offering a significant logistical advantage for such enterprises.
Once completed, the Nature’s Crossing Technology Center is expected to bring substantial economic benefits to Waynesboro, including the creation of approximately 500 new jobs. The city is actively marketing the center not only locally but internationally through partnerships and a dedicated webpage designed to provide potential investors with key information and updates.
Hitchin noted the city’s approach to attracting tenants is responsive and strategic: “As inquiries come in at the state or regional levels that match the site’s profile, we engage those companies and highlight the opportunities available here.”
Infrastructure improvements, including the completion of sewer and water installations, are anticipated to conclude within the next two years, paving the way for the center’s full operational launch.
The Nature’s Crossing Technology Center represents a significant investment in Waynesboro’s economic future, enhancing the city’s capacity to serve as a hub for advanced manufacturing and industrial activity in the Shenandoah Valley region.
For more information about the project and site details, interested parties can visit the city’s official project webpage.
Contact:
Greg Hitchin
Director of Economic Development and Tourism
City of Waynesboro
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