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Middlesex County EDA Awarded $99,840 for Blue Catfish

The Middlesex County Economic Development Authority was awarded $99,840 in GO Virginia Region 6 funds for the “River to Table – Blue Catfish Study,” a regional economic analysis covering the blue catfish industry across the Middle Peninsula and Northern Neck.


THE STUDY

The grant funds a comprehensive examination of the blue catfish supply chain in the region, including harvesters, processors, and wholesale and retail sales. The study will outline options, establish priorities, and estimate costs for implementing strategies to promote, support, and expand businesses associated with blue catfish. The final deliverable will identify actionable steps that can then support applications for implementation funding.

Virginia Tech is leading the market analysis. The Middlesex EDA is also engaging the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services workgroup, the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, the Rivers Region Entrepreneurship Council, and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science as part of the effort.


WHY BLUE CATFISH

Blue catfish is an invasive species to the Chesapeake Bay and its estuary system, including the Rappahannock, Potomac, and James Rivers. The species was introduced into Virginia rivers in the 1970s for sportfishing and has since grown exponentially with no natural predators. Its population growth is affecting blue crabs, striped bass, and other native species that carry both economic and historical significance to the region.

The fish is also considered an excellent food source. Addressing the blue catfish population through commercial harvest and processing represents an opportunity to protect native species while building a new regional industry.

“The GO Virginia Region 6 Council recognizes our unique position to address the overpopulation of blue catfish in our waterways, and exploring the economic benefits that blue catfish could bring to the Northern Neck, Middle Peninsula, and other regions of the Commonwealth,” said John Anzivino, Chair of the Region 6 Council. “We also recognize the imperative need to partner with other regional and statewide stakeholders to create a coordinated action plan to promote an economy around blue catfish. Bringing the current population of blue catfish under control is also key to protecting our existing commercial fishing and aquaculture industries.”


REGIONAL PARTNERSHIP

The study is a regional effort. A $62,590 match is being provided by the Economic Development Authorities of Middlesex, Essex, Gloucester, King George, Lancaster, and Mathews County, all of which will be represented on the grant advisory committee.


WHAT’S NEXT

The study is currently underway. Updates will be posted here as findings are finalized and the region moves toward implementation.


Related coverage:

Middlesex County EDA Awarded $99,840 for a Blue Catfish Processing Study and Economic Analysis — GO Virginia Region 6, August 25, 2025

Blue catfish processing study awarded $99,840 — Southside Sentinel, August 28, 2025

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John Anzivino

John Anzivino brings decades of experience in economic development, local government administration, and public-sector leadership to the Middlesex County Economic Development Authority, where he has served as a board member since 2018 and Chairman since 2020.

Originally from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, John earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Concord University and a Master’s in Public Administration with a concentration in Urban and Regional Administration from the University of Georgia. John and his wife, Kristi, purchased property in Urbanna in 2008 before becoming full-time Middlesex County residents in 2016.

Throughout his career, John has held leadership positions in planning, economic development, and local government across the Mid-Atlantic region. His experience includes serving as Planning Director and Deputy Director for the Eastern Panhandle Planning District Council in West Virginia, State Planning Director for the Governor’s Office of West Virginia, County Administrator in both Amelia and Caroline Counties, and Town Manager for the Town of Warrenton, Virginia. He also served as Senior Vice President and Mid-Atlantic Group Director for a national consulting firm specializing in public-sector management, organizational development, budgeting, and economic development.

Even in retirement, John has continued serving communities throughout Virginia in interim leadership roles, including Interim Town Manager, Interim County Administrator, and Interim Executive Director for several localities and economic development organizations. He currently serves as Chairman of GO Virginia Region 6 and is also a member of the Town of Urbanna Board of Zoning Appeals.

John joined the Middlesex County EDA to help support future generations by expanding economic opportunities throughout the County. He believes economic development in Middlesex should remain balanced — building upon the County’s rural character, waterways, working waterfronts, agriculture, forestry, and tourism economy while creating sustainable opportunities for residents to live and work close to home.

GET TO KNOW

Doug McMinn

Doug McMinn was born and raised in Wilmington, Delaware, and graduated from Brigham Young University in 1996 with a degree in microbiology. A lifelong love for the Chesapeake Bay and strong family ties to the region led Doug to become a full-time resident of Middlesex County in 1997.

From 1997 to 2000, Doug served as the Marine Science Director at Christchurch Episcopal School. He married his wife, Karen, in 1998, and the couple later moved to St. Croix, USVI, where they worked at Good Hope School before returning home to Middlesex County in 2001.

In 2002, Doug started a small oyster farm on the Rappahannock River. He expanded those operations in 2003 by founding Chesapeake Bay Oyster Company, which farm-raises oysters and develops and distributes commercial shellfish farming equipment. Doug is also a founding member and current board member of the Shellfish Growers of Virginia, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting Virginia’s shellfish farming industry, and serves on the State Aquaculture Advisory Committee.

Doug and Karen live in Wake, Virginia and have three children, all graduates of Middlesex County High School.

As a member of the Middlesex County Economic Development Authority, Doug is passionate about supporting long-term economic stability while increasing public access to the waterways that help define Middlesex County.

GET TO KNOW

Hallie Jean Holmes

Hallie J. Holmes is a lifelong resident of Middlesex County and currently serves on the Middlesex County Economic Development Authority. Following her retirement in 2010 from the Middle Peninsula Regional Security Center, Hallie committed herself to volunteering and serving the Middlesex community in any capacity she could.

Hallie attended Rappahannock Community College in Glenns, Virginia, where she studied subjects including psychology, chemistry, biology, algebra, and constitutional law. Over the years, she has worked a variety of jobs throughout Middlesex, Essex, Richmond, and Gloucester, giving her a broad understanding of the region and its communities.

As the daughter of a former waterman who worked as both a menhaden fisherman and oysterman before later serving as Sheriff, Hallie has deep roots in Middlesex County’s maritime heritage and working waterfront culture. Her travels throughout Virginia and across the country have also given her a strong appreciation for tourism, local identity, and community development — though she says Middlesex has always felt like home.

Hallie enjoys genealogy and local history research, baking pound cakes for family and friends, and continuing to learn through community leadership opportunities, including recent board leadership training through the River Counties Community Foundation.

GET TO KNOW

Joe Heyman

Joe Heyman is the President of The Allen Group Inc. and has been a business owner and community leader in Middlesex County since moving to the area in 1989. Shortly after relocating, Joe started his construction business and has since built experience across several industries including construction, hospitality, marina operations, commercial leasing, and small business development.

Throughout his career, Joe has remained deeply involved in the Middlesex community, serving on numerous local boards and organizations including the YMCA, the Urbanna Oyster Festival, and the Middlesex Sports Complex. He also previously served on the Urbanna Town Council and has spent many years coaching local youth sports programs.

Joe joined the Middlesex County Economic Development Authority to help support existing businesses while encouraging new economic opportunities throughout the County. To him, economic development means creating an environment where small businesses can succeed and where future generations have opportunities to live, work, and invest locally.

One area Joe is especially excited about is expanding recreation and boating access throughout Middlesex County and continuing to strengthen the County’s connection to the water. Outside of work and community service, he enjoys sailing and spending time with his family, including his grandchildren.

GET TO KNOW

Gerald "Jerry" Crittenden

Gerald “Jerry” F. Crittenden is a lifelong resident of Middlesex County and a fifth-generation member of the Deltaville community. A graduate of Middlesex County Public Schools, Jerry earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Radford University in 1988.

Throughout his career, Jerry has worked across several industries including farming, education, coaching, agricultural supply sales, and contracting. He is the owner of GFC Contracting LLC and part owner of T.H. Crittenden & Son (Riverdale Farm), a third-generation family farming operation in Middlesex County.

Deeply involved in the local community, Jerry has served for more than 30 years as a Little League baseball coach and has managed the Deltaville Deltas baseball team for over four decades. He is also a founding board member of the Wilton Hunt Club and serves on the boards of the Middlesex County Farm Bureau, the Deltaville Community Association, and the Middlesex County Economic Development Authority.

Jerry and his wife, Martha Fleet Crittenden, have three children and two grandchildren, all of whom reside in Middlesex County. In his free time, he enjoys baseball, hunting, and fishing.