Why Middlesex County, Virginia?

Positioned for business on the Middle Peninsula.

Middlesex County offers proximity to three of Virginia’s largest metropolitan markets, one of the lowest tax rates in the Commonwealth, no Machinery & Tools tax, a diverse industry base, and active infrastructure investment — all set inside a coastal community shaped by the Chesapeake Bay, the Rappahannock, and the Piankatank.

 

Within 90 min of three major MSAs

Highway, Port, and Airport Access

Among Virginia’s Lowest Tax Rates

No Machinery & Tools Tax

Thrive Coastal Industries

proximity to major markets

Three of Virginia's largest MSAs are within reach.

Middlesex sits between the Richmond MSA and the Williamsburg–Hampton Roads MSA, with the Northern Virginia / D.C. corridor inside a half-day drive. Businesses get regional market reach without the cost structure or congestion of an urban locality.

From Middlesex

Distance

Drive Time

Market Access

Williamsburg

~35 miles

~45 min

Williamsburg–Hampton Roads MSA gateway
 

Newport News

~45 miles

~1 hr 5 min

Peninsula labor market · PHF Airport
 

Richmond

~60 miles

~1 hr 15 min

Richmond MSA · State capital · RIC Airport
 

Norfolk & Port of Virginia

~85 miles

~1 hr 30 min

Hampton Roads MSA · ORF Airport · Deep-water port
 

Washington, D.C.

~135 miles

~2 hr 30 min

D.C. metro · Northern Virginia corridor

Highways, Ports & Airports

Connected by road, water, and air.

Middlesex is served by major regional corridors and is within reach of Virginia’s deep-water port and three commercial airports.

Road

U.S. Route 17 & Route 33

U.S. 17 connects Middlesex north to the Northern Neck and south through Gloucester to the Yorktown/Hampton Roads corridor, reaching I-64 in approximately 31 miles. Route 33 crosses east–west to I-64 in approximately 26 miles toward Richmond.

Water

Port of Virginia Access

Norfolk International Terminals and the broader Port of Virginia — one of the largest U.S. East Coast deep-water ports — are within roughly 1.5 hours, opening access to international freight and supply-chain operations

Air

3 Commercial Airports Within Reach

Richmond International (RIC), Norfolk International (ORF), and Newport News/Williamsburg International (PHF) are all within a 1.5-hour drive — providing commercial passenger and cargo access for a rural locality.

Considering a business in Middlesex?

Browse commercial, light industrial, and waterfront properties throughout the county.
View Available Sites & Properties →

A Tax Climate Built for Business

Among Virginia's lowest — with no Machinery & Tools tax.

Middlesex County operates with one of the most competitive local tax structures in the Commonwealth, giving businesses real cost advantages compared to most Virginia localities.

$0

No Machinery & Tools Tax

Middlesex County does not levy a Machinery & Tools tax — a significant advantage for manufacturers, marine-industry operators, agricultural businesses, and any operation with capital equipment on the books

Low

Real Estate Tax Rate

The County’s real estate tax rate is among the lowest in Virginia — translating directly to lower ongoing carrying costs for commercial property, owner-occupied facilities, and waterfront sites

VA

Right-to-Work State

Virginia is a right-to-work state with one of the lowest unionization rates in the country and one of the lowest average workers’ compensation costs nationally — additional advantages that come with locating in the Commonwealth.

Thriving Industries

Seafood, agriculture, boating, and tourism — all working.

Middlesex County’s economic base is diversified across coastal, agricultural, and visitor-serving industries, each with active growth, real revenue, and ongoing entrepreneurial activity.

Seafood & Aquaculture

Commercial fishing, oyster farming, and seafood processing operate on working waterfronts that have anchored the Chesapeake economy for generations. Protecting and expanding commercial waterfront access is a strategic priority for the EDA and County.

Agriculture

Working farms, agribusiness, and rural land use continue to shape the county’s landscape and contribute to the regional agricultural economy across the Middle Peninsula.

Boating & Marine Industry

Marinas, boatyards, and marine service businesses anchor a year-round marine economy supporting commercial and recreational watercraft from across the region.

Tourism & Hospitality

Visitors generated $30.8M in direct travel spending and supported 132 local jobs in Middlesex in 2024 — a measurable engine for restaurants, lodging, retail, and recreation.

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Considering a business in Middlesex?

The EDA helps entrepreneurs and existing businesses navigate licensing, sites, resources, and growth opportunities.

Start Your Business →

Infrastructure investment

The County is investing in the infrastructure businesses need.

Middlesex County continues to expand the systems that support modern commercial operations — broadband, water service, and long-range public utility planning.

Broadband Expansion

Middlesex County is actively expanding broadband access across the county, supporting better connectivity for homes, businesses, and commercial corridors. The Middlesex County Broadband Authority oversees expansion planning and infrastructure development.

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County Water Service

Public water service is available in selected county service areas, supporting commercial development in established corridors. The EDA can help confirm what’s available at a specific site.

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Long-Range Sewer Planning

A public sewer system is included in the County’s long-range planning conversations. While a near-term build is not currently scheduled, the framework for future expansion is part of ongoing regional discussion.

Get in Touch

Connect with the EDA.

Have questions or looking for guidance? We’re here to help connect you with resources, opportunities, and the next steps for doing business in Middlesex County.

Contact the EDA →

GET TO KNOW

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.