Hanover County Economic Development’s (HCED) experienced staff is ready to provide services to companies that are considering a location in the County and assistance to its existing businesses. Hanover County offers distinct advantages for your business to INNOVATE. PROSPER. GROW. Location: Residents here get the best of both worlds. Hanover County prides itself on maintaining its rural roots and offering residents a laid-back lifestyle, while its close proximity to Downtown Richmond provides convenient access urban amenities such as upscale shops, fine dining, museums, galleries and other attractions. Access: Hanover has prime access to Interstates 95 and 295, along with an extensive network of commuter and freight rail lines. The County is served by a regional airport and is in close proximity to Richmond International Airport. Strong, Well-run Local Government: Hanover County is the smallest U.S. county (by population) to have a AAA bond rating from all three ratings agencies. Low Taxes: Hanover continues to have the lowest real estate tax rate ($0.81) in the region. There is no business license tax (except for contractors), a distinct advantage for Hanover businesses. Stable Workforce Virginia is a right-to-work state. There are low levels of unionization and union election activity in the County and state. Quality Public Schools Compared to other school districts in Virginia with a similar student population size, Hanover County surpasses the state average with one of the lowest dropout rates (2.7%) and the highest graduation rate (95.2%) in the region. High Quality of Life Hanover has been recognized by Forbes, Bloomberg BusinessWeek, Money magazine and the American City Business Journals for its superior quality of life.