Chamber of Commerce conducts Eggs and Issues

The Eastern Shore of Virginia Chamber of Commerce held its semi-annual Eggs and Issues event on Thursday, December 4, at Off The Rails in Parksley. The town hall-style event included participants from both county Boards of Supervisors, Delegate Rob Bloxom, representatives from the offices of Congresswoman Jen Kiggans, Senator Bill DeSteph, and the office of Attorney General Jason Miyares.

One of the first topics discussed was tourism on the Shore and its impact on the community. Accomack Board Chairman Robert Crockett highlighted the benefits of the recent merger between the Eastern Shore of Virginia Tourism Commission and the Eastern Shore of Virginia Chamber of Commerce. Crockett noted that Accomack has increased its financial support of the Tourism Commission by 62% since the merger, calling those “dollars well spent.”

The topic of a recent one-cent increase in the sales tax in Northampton County was raised as a potential way to generate additional revenue and provide some tax relief for taxpayers.

Northampton County Administrator Charlie Kolakowski explained that the increase was specially authorized by the General Assembly and can only be used for capital improvements at Northampton High School. He added that approximately 60% of the revenue generated by the tax comes largely from tourists and visitors to Northampton. The tax will expire once the bonds used to fund the school’s construction are paid off.