The Connector Road That Never Happened: Town Council Lays a Flower on a Grave

At a January 5 work session of the Town Council, it was the mayor’s express wish that the public benefit from the summary of an outstanding debt that the Town owes to VDOT. Given that it pertains to former EDA executive director Jennifer McDonald’s legacy of corruption and represents an incremental step toward closing that dark chapter of this community’s history, it seems appropriate to dwell on that point.

The Town Council gathers for a work session on January 5. Royal Examiner Photo Credits: Brenden McHugh.

“On December 7, 2016,” the summary reads, “the Commonwealth Transportation Board approved a $650,000 Economic Development Access Grant to assist the Town of Front Royal with the construction of a portion of the West Main Street Connector for the ITFederal LLC development. The Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Transportation has requested the Town of Front Royal to repay $565,582.56 for the Economic Development Access Grant.

The Town of Front Royal was unable to requisition the full $650,000 grant because the project could not be completed due to construction-related issues at the ITFederal LLC property.

The Terms of the Economic Development Access Grant required the Town to provide documentation for at least $3,250,000 in eligible capital outlay. In June 2016, Jennifer McDonald, the Executive Director of the Front Royal/Warren County Economic Development Authority (EDA), led the Town to believe that ITFederal LLC would invest approximately $40 million in a new facility, land, and equipment, and bring 600 new jobs to the area.

Without having the consent of the Town of Front Royal, on February 27, 2017, Jennifer McDonald, representing the EDA, signed a first amendment to the deed of trust for ITFederal LLC to reduce the Construction Target from $5 million to $2 million, resulting in the Economic Development Access Grant capital outlay requirements not being able to be met.

The Town has budgeted $216,665 annually for fiscal years 2023-2025 to set aside approximately $650,000 in anticipation of repayment of the grant. In addition, the Town has paid approximately $5,000 annually since fiscal year 2017-2018 for a letter of credit, as required under the grant terms, to ensure the Town meets its obligations for the grant funding.

In July 2025, the Town paid the first portion of the reimbursement totaling $426,233.04. On December 16, 2025, VDOT provided written notice for the remaining balance.”

The remaining balance is $106,558.26, and the staff recommends that the council approve repayment at the January 12 work session.

Several other housekeeping measures were taken, an application for an alley vacation was reviewed, and the council adjourned after discussing strategy for the upcoming liaison meeting between Town and County, in which one of the most urgent items will be to inquire whether the County plans to increase tipping fees this year.