Waynesboro has a long history of defining its own destiny. Since the founding of our city, our community has always refused to just stand by waiting for economic change to occur but rather has taken action to create an economic future. The last time this happened was about 100 years ago when several businessmen boarded a train for New York City and Wilmington Delaware at the Waynesboro Union Station. The result? DuPont Fabric and Fibers and the Crompton Company located manufacturing facilities in the city. What followed was 80 plus years of economic prosperity for our city based on the abundant supply of fresh, clean spring waters. Today it is now our time to once again seize the initiative to create a new destiny for Waynesboro centered on our abundant natural resources. The Waynesboro Campus of the Virginia Museum of Natural History forms the first foundation stone for the next 100 years of economic prosperity. This first step will become a catalyst for a reborn downtown district built on natural resource based industries. From recreational industries utilizing the South River resource, to University led natural resource and renewable energy efforts, Waynesboro is uniquely positioned to capitalize on these emerging trends.

The time to take action is now. The General Assembly has begun its 2024 session and one of its most important duties will be to adopt the bi-annual budget. Waynesboro requires that the General Assembly approve Delegate Campbell and Senator Head’s budget amendments to fund the construction of the VNHM Waynesboro Campus. If it is not included with this budget, it will delay the next funding opportunity for two more years, resulting in annual increases in construction, invalidating the state of Virginia’s year to date investments in planning totaling more than $1.250,000.

Contact your state representatives now to show your support for their efforts to bring this project to Waynesboro.

Len Poulin
Chair – the Center for Coldwaters Restoration