Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Work is moving forward in the Town of Victoria on the Industrial Development Authority project. Victoria Town Manager Rodney Newton updated the mayor and council during their Wednesday, Jan. 10 meeting. 

Set up in the old STEPS building, located at 300 Court Street in town, the idea has been to set aside 25,000 square feet to house up to four tenants. But first, some construction work needs to take place. Newton told the group that the divider wall, to split the section between tenants, has been built on what was formerly the production floor. He added that HVAC work is starting up and the town is looking at liquid propane tank pricing. 

Despite being overlooked for the Local Innovation Fund grant from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, the IDA began work on the former STEPS building after taking possession of the former manufacturing facility early in 2021.

STEPS discontinued using the facility more than three years ago. Before STEPS, the building initially housed Diemolding Corporation and Southern Virginia Plastics, both of which manufactured plastic components of cookware.

As for the big question, when will the property be ready to move forward, the answer, Newton said, is soon. He estimates that by the end of the first quarter here in 2024, the town will be wrapping up this project. Tenants for the area, he mentioned, are already starting to show some interest.