NEW KENT COUNTY

New Kent County's future is as full and extraordinary as our past.
Created in 1654 by some of the earliest English colonists, New Kent County has cradled the homes and footsteps of many historic figures. Here stood the long houses of Chief Powhatan and his daughter Pocahontas. Bacon's Rebellion ended on our soil in 1687. New Kent is the birthplace of two Presidents' wives - Martha Washington and Letitia Christian Tyler. St. Peters Church, where the young Washingtons were wed, still holds services today. Civil War troops marched and camped under our loblolly pines and hardwoods and drew water from our streams. Today, New Kent County is the site of the first pari-mutel horse racing track in Virginia.

Over the last 350 years, New Kent's population has grown to over 13,000 residents. But that figure pales compared to the over three million who have cropped up inside a 45 minute drive both east and west, or the 60% of the nation's populace and 70% of its manufacturing that lie within eight hours by car. Also, you can't ignore the more than ten million travelers who drive through New Kent annually.

Yet despite this proximity to so much activity, even with easy access to all of it by interstate highway, rail and air, New Kent County has consistently preserved its peace and quiet. The charm and beauty of the land remain intact today because of the high commitment of our people to protecting and stewarding our natural resources - a commitment that is already centuries old in New Kent County.

New Kent County has a long tradition of being strategically located.

Because of our clean waters, thick forests and rolling hills, New Kent has been treasured by Native Americans, settlers, farmers, even advancing armies. Today, the legacy continues, as the county is increasingly prized by relocating business people and their companies wanting to be close to the government and financial center of Richmond, and the giant military and shipbuilding presence of the Tidewater area.

Access to transportation by air, water and land from New Kent County is readily available. Airports in Richmond, Newport News and Norfolk are conveniently close, as are two of the East's major shipping ports, Richmond Deepwater Terminal and the Port of Hampton Roads. The network of roads throughout the county is excellent and well maintained. Norfolk Southern, CSX and Amtrak provide daily rail service.

Just as important as the man-made characteristics of New Kent County are our natural attributes. New Kent resides atop one of the most abundant natural water supplies on the Eastern seaboard. Deep wells run 500-700 feet and supply one to three million gallons per day.

Virginia is a right-to-work state. County residents and governing bodies are pro-business, and look forward to linking your firm commitment to our own in achieving the highest standards for both work and life in New Kent County.

If you're looking for a high quality of life for yourself and your family, there are many, many lures to New Kent County.

For outdoor recreation, the county is a natural wonderland. Three rivers and a large reservoir give fishermen and boaters lots of water to explore. The county's forests and marshlands are a nature-lover's paradise and are abundant with deer, game birds and waterfowl for responsible hunters.

Golfers will find plenty to test their swings. Locally, there are two courses including the Royal New Kent -"British Isles without the airfare"-Golf Digest and the well wooded and challenging Brookwoods. And within a 60-minute drive, there is an abundance of Four Star courses. The county has facilities for football, baseball, soccer, track, basketball and tennis. We're quickly becoming central Virginia's premier horse country. The state's first pari-mutuel horse track, Colonial Downs, features thoroughbred and harness racing, as well as polo. An annual steeplechase at Marengo Plantation is a major thoroughbred event and draws thousands. And, of course, the myriad family entertainment opportunities of our delightful, history-laden Old Dominion state are within easy driving distance: Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia Beach, the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Shenandoah Valley, the monuments of Richmond.

Though New Kent has a small population compared to other counties in Virginia, our infrastructure is exceptional. Fire, rescue and sheriff's departments are a priority, as are public schools. Students from kindergarten through high school learn from a challenging and diverse curriculum in a safe, supportive environment which sacrifices nothing to quality, yet maintains the intimacy of a nurturing, small school atmosphere. Within a 30-minute drive are several renowned college campuses including William & Mary, Old Dominion, VCU/MCV, Virginia Union, the University of Richmond, and several community colleges.

There are established residential communities in New Kent built around lakes, golf courses and rolling hills. And there's plenty of land available to build your own home.

We invite you to take a closer look at New Kent County. You'll find a resplendent place, and a people proud of their history, excited about the progress of the present, and firmly on track to realize a remarkable and prosperous time to come.

Join us. And get on track with New Kent County.

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QUICK FACTS

• Population of 13,462 (2000 Census);
  

• 221 square miles of land and water;
  

• Easy access to Interstates 64, 295, and 95;
  

• Bounded on the south by the Chickahominy River, on the north by the Pamunkey and York Rivers;

• Located in the coastal plain, consisting mostly of flat land with some rolling hills;
  

• Average elevation 80 feet above sea level;
  

• Temperate climate, annual average temperature is 58º F;
  

• Average annual rainfall 43 inches, snowfall 14 inches

• Over 4,000 acres of land zoned industrial, in tracts ranging from 1 to 445 acres, each of which is subdividable;
  

• Governed by a pro-business five member board of supervisors, with daily operations handled by a County Administrator;

• Electricity supplied by Virginia Power with three-phase available to industrial sites;

• Digital telephone service;

• Richmond International Airport only 10 minutes away, Newport News - Williamsburg International Airport is 30 minutes away and Norfolk  International Airport just 60 minutes; locally, New Kent and West Point airports support corporate, private and hobbyist aircraft;
  

• Superb rail, water and land transportation;

• Foreign Trade Zone; Sub-Zone status available throughout New Kent County;

• Abundant natural ground water;
  

• 70% of the county covered in pine and hardwood trees;
  

• Long-standing forestry conservation
  

• Abundant recreational activities including hunting, fishing, boating, nature trails, golf, team sports, pari-mutuel horse racing;
  

• New high school; new campuses planned for lower and middle schools;
  

• Served by Cumberland Hospital, one of America's first pediatiric/psychiatric hospitals, as well as local medical and dental clinics;
  

• Protected by emergency 911 service, Sheriff's Dept., paid and volunteer fire and rescue squads, full-time patrolling state troopers;
  

• Cable television, daily and weekly newspapers;

• Established residential neighborhoods; wooded acreage for home building