Stafford

Stafford Education Foundation to Host Tenth Annual Golf Tournament

By Kelly Sienkowski

As the Stafford Education Foundation (SEF) approaches the tenth anniversary of its annual fundraising golf tournament, the organization continues to enhance educational opportunities for students and educators in Stafford County Public Schools. The foundation, dedicated to providing scholarships, grants, and innovative programs, remains committed to addressing the evolving needs of the community. This year, sponsors are able to donate directly to the scholarship, grant, or program they would like to encourage.

Executive Director Stephanie Johnson explained SEF’s latest initiative, the Community Health and Mental Professionals (CHAMP) Center program, exemplifies their approach to education. This healthcare career pathway program for high school students was launched in collaboration with Mary Washington Healthcare and the Claude Moore Foundation. Designed to address critical gaps in mental health, biomedical science, and nursing career pathways, the CHAMP program is a direct response to a community health assessment that highlights these needs. The program will welcome its first cohort of students this fall.

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Stafford County Ranks Third in National Digital Counties Survey

By Kelly Sienkowski

Stafford County announced its third-place finish in the 2024 Digital Counties Survey for the 150,000-249,999 population category; Arlington won first place. Stafford and Arlington were the only Virginia counties in the top ten. The survey, developed by the National Association of Counties and conducted by the Center for Digital Government, recognizes counties that use technology for efficient and responsive government services.

“We are enhancing our services for residents by leveraging technology to improve government,” stated Craig Meadows, Interim Stafford County Administrator. “I take pride in the achievements of Stafford’s Information Services team and the benefits that come with it for our citizens.”

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Construction Begins July 22 for Roundabout at Stafford’s Banks Ford Parkway

By Kelly Sienkowski
The intersection of Banks Ford and Celebrate Virginia Parkways.

Construction to install a modular roundabout at the intersection of Banks Ford and Celebrate Virginia parkways in Stafford County will begin Monday, July 22. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will start with paving, followed by assembling and installing modular roundabout pieces made from 136,090 pounds of recycled plastic. Starting Aug. 5, the intersection will temporarily become a four-way stop for about two weeks. The project aims to enhance safety and reduce vehicle collisions. The $700,000 project, funded by Stafford County, is expected to be completed by late Aug. 2024.

VDOT: Construction to install a modular roundabout at the intersection of Route 1969 (Banks Ford Parkway) and Route 1968 (Celebrate Virginia Parkway) in Stafford County will begin on Monday, July 22.

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VDOT to hold public meeting for changes to Route 17 and Olde Forge Drive

By Kelly Sienkowski

Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will host an open meeting to discuss plans for Route 17 Business and Olde Forge Drive. The public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the VDOT Fredericksburg District Auditorium at 86 Deacon Road. An inclement weather date is set for Aug. 13.

This project goal is to reduce congestion by improving Route 17 Business (Warrenton Road) at the intersections of Olde Forge Drive (Route 1580) and RV Parkway (Route 698).

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Bill Ashton Appointed as Stafford’s New County Administrator

By Kelly Sienkowski
Stafford's County Administrator, Bill Ashton

The Stafford County Board of Supervisors has announced Bill Ashton as the new County Administrator following a national search. Ashton has served as the Town Manager of Herndon, Virginia, since 2017, and will begin his new role on September 16, 2024, taking over from interim County Administrator Craig Meadows.

Meg Bohmke, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, emphasized the importance of the selection, saying, “The selection of a County Administrator is vital for the Board to ensure the continued delivery of effective government services and the Board’s priorities of keeping Stafford a safe community with a strong educational system while balancing our growing needs.” She highlighted Ashton’s educational background, professional experience, and accomplishments as aligning with the community’s vision.

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NorthPoint Development Invests $133 Million in Stafford

By Kelly Sienkowski

On June 25, Stafford County hosted a groundbreaking for NorthPoint Development’s new Austin Ridge Logistics Center.  The ceremony at 2125 Austin Ridge Drive featured speakers Meg Bohmke, Chairwoman of the Stafford Board of Supervisors, and Ryan Marshall, Development Manager at NorthPoint Development. 

The Austin Ridge Logistics Center will include five to seven buildings, totaling 2,078,015 square feet. Positioned along Interstate 95, the development will accommodate large-scale users, including last-mile logistics facilities, regional distribution warehouses, and data centers. This project aims to provide business and economic opportunities for Stafford County.

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Stafford EDA supports UMW’s Business Acumen Series

By Kelly Sienkowski
UMW's Stafford Campus will host two of the upcoming Business Acumen series.

The University of Mary Washington’s Continuing & Professional Studies Department’s Business Acumen Series has three more events this year. This series of one-day seminars aims to build leadership and business skills in the Fredericksburg region. The series focuses on Dynamic Leadership under the theme “Dynamic Mind for Dynamic Times: Agile Leadership in the Age of Change.”

The Stafford Economic Development Authority has invested in 50 seats for the series to support the Stafford business community with educational resources. Each seminar is valued at $275. A limited number of seats are available at no cost to Stafford businesses. Interested parties are encouraged to apply for this opportunity.

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Giant Food partners with Stafford Schools to fight food insecurity

By Kelly Sienkowski

Stafford County Public Schools: Stafford County Public Schools is again partnering with Giant Food on a program to help support children facing food insecurity. From July 1 through August 1, 2024, Giant Food patrons may choose to  “ROUND UP AT THE REGISTER” at the end of their grocery purchase.

Donations made during this period support school food programs. Patrons may also donate through Giant Delivers, Giant Pickup, and through FLEX points that are converted to grocery dollars.

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Stafford County Animal Shelter reaches capacity, encourages adoptions and fosters

By Kelly Sienkowski
Stafford County Animal Shelter keeps an active list of adoptable animals online. Maximus is a Dutch Shepherd.

Stafford County Animal Shelter has once again reached capacity and is pleading for adoptions and fosters.

In the month of June, the shelter has “had a record 32 dogs surrendered to our shelter in just 20 days,” according to their Facebook page. In addition to the surrenders, the shelter has had 23 stray dogs, with only 18 being reunited with their owners so far. They posted “57 dogs [are] currently in our care – 41 of them are available for adoption. This situation is unprecedented and simply not maintainable. Despite reaching out to our community countless times in the past few months, we find ourselves in an even worse situation each time we catch a glimpse of relief and the fact is, we are now at a breaking point.”

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