Cigarette tax money to support visitor center

by Larry Chowning –

Since joining the Chesapeake Bay Region Cigarette Tax Board (CBRCTB) in July 2021 and establishing a 40 cent tax on each pack of cigarettes, Middlesex County has generated $254,187 and the Town of Urbanna $11,977 in new tax revenues. The revenues started coming in August 2021.

The county and town reported the amounts at the December final 2022 board meetings. The county revenues are going into the general fund, while Urbanna Town Council voted earlier this year to earmark the tax to go towards preservation and upkeep of the circa-1766 James Mills Scottish Factor Store.

Earlier this year, Urbanna Town Councilor Steve Hollberg spearheaded a drive to direct the funds annually to go towards preservation of the colonial structure and council voted in agreement. The building is one of the last colonial retail store buildings of its kind in America. The store was supported at the time by Middlesex County’s tobacco economy when the town was the county seat. The building today is owned by the town and houses the town’s museum/visitor’s center.