The Coalition of Loudoun Towns (COLT) had the honor of addressing the Loudoun business community at the Middleburg Community Center earlier this month. It was part of the Loudoun Chamber of Commerce's Policy Maker Breakfast Series and the event drew a packed house, with standing room only. I, along with Mayors Burke (Leesburg), Simpson (Hamilton), Fontaine (Lovettsville) and Vance (Hillsboro) took the stage to answer questions and discuss those issues which we felt were of most importance to our communities and the County. Stacey Metcalfe, from the Chamber, moderated and did not hold back on the tough questions, starting with economic development.

In terms of economic development and tourism the message was one of progress and excitement. The transformation of western Loudoun in and around our towns has been tremendous. For example, the success of the winery and brewery industry has shown that a diverse and rural economy can be successful and a huge asset to greater Loudoun – it does not need to be all data centers and houses to be successful. Mayor Fontaine pointed out that western Loudoun produces $1.8 billion in annual revenues, supports over 18,000 jobs and is a net positive in taxes to the county vs. services provided by the County. Mayor Simpson noted, "cows don't call the police or need schools."

On the question of transportation and roads, we all agreed our system is broken. The approval process and endless bureaucracy in getting road projects started, and then completed is frustrating. It drives up cost, increases delays and aggravates the public. Mayor Vance provided an excellent example of how local control can solve some of these issues. The Town of Hillsboro took over their interchange project from VDOT and in doing so is going to be able to save over $10 million dollars and will complete it 2 years early. We stressed that we need a holistic re-vamp of how road projects are done at the state level and push more control, and the funding, of these projects to local government for execution.

While the questions ranged from economic development, to transportation to tourism, by far the topic which garnered the most attention was the discussion on Loudoun's Comprehensive Plan. If a single word could capture the sentiment expressed by each of us Mayors about the plan, it would be this: SERIOUS CONCERN. We noted that the 7 towns of Loudoun and our adjoining zip codes account for over 50% of the population of the County and those residents considered themselves a member of that town's broader community. Our message, which represents their input, was clear – adding growth in unconstrained ways to the buffer regions around our towns and between eastern and western Loudoun (the TPA) pose a serious threat to the future sustainability and way of life for the County. Without balance, restraint and a generational outlook as to what we need to protect, Loudoun is being set on a dangerous path. Each of us as Mayors also committed to continuing to express our thoughts and input as the planning process heads to the Board of Supervisors for their deliberation.

On behalf of COLT, we would like to express our sincere thanks to the Chamber for creating this event and to the Middleburg Community Center for hosting it. We look forward to participating in the Policy Maker Series in the future and to hearing from the community on what's important to you and how COLT and our Towns can help lead these discussions and decisions.