The Online Newsletter for the Virginia Economic Developers Association
January 2018
President's Message
It is a privilege to serve as VEDA's president during 2018.  I am indebted to Debbie Melvin who led the way during 2017 with her cheerfulness and professionalism.  Connie Long provides invaluable skill and guidance in managing our organization of 528 members and by coordinating events across the Commonwealth.
 
January 2018 has already been packed with activity.  The Legislator of the Year Committee, led by Patrick Barker, presented the 2017 award to Delegate Chris Jones, chair of the House Appropriations Committee, during our Legislative Reception in Richmond.  VEDA's Legislative Day Committee, led by George Anas, organized eleven teams and met with about half of the General Assembly's members to deliver VEDA's public policy agenda.  Congratulations to Chairman Jones and thank you Patrick and George for contributing to VEDA's success!
 
Recently, I have been reading some of our Association's newsletters from previous decades.  Naturally, I have learned a lot more about VEDA.  Our organization has purposefully sought, from the beginning, to better the Commonwealth through its work with the General Assembly and Virginia's governors.  Our members have remained focused on improving the delivery of economic development services to the Commonwealth, our communities and clients.  Staying current on workforce development, preserving incentives appropriations, and paying attention to perceptions of Virginia from outside the Commonwealth seem to be constants, which remain relevant today. 
 
At the same time, we have new directions to decide upon and follow.  We understand that our profession is evolving in ways that we must be prepared to meet so that we can continue to add value to Virginia's economy.  As professionals, how do we plan to address and deliver economic development in an evolving Virginia?  With these thoughts in mind, the Program Committee, chaired by Greg Hitchin, has organized the 2018 conference & meeting theme: Agents of Change.  We look forward to seeing you at our next VEDA event, the Spring Conference in Richmond, April 11-13.  

-Ken McFadyen, VEDA President
VEDA holds successful Legislative Reception and VEDA Day at the General Assembly
Thanks to our sponsors and everyone who attended the 2018 VEDA Legislative Reception and those who participated in VEDA Day at the General Assembly. 

VEDA's Legislative Reception keeps getting better and better. Mark your calendars for the 2019 Legislative Reception on Monday, January 14, 2019. 


2018 Legislative Reception Sponsored By

     
SAVE THE DATES
FOR
VEDA 2018 EVENTS
and see why economic developers are
Agents of Change

VEDA Spring Conference
April 12-13, 2018
Richmond, Virginia

VEDA Summer Membership Meeting
June 5, 2018
Danville, Virginia

VEDA Fall Conference
September 12-14, 2018
Roanoke, Virginia

VEDA Winter Membership Luncheon
and Annual Meeting
December 5, 2018
Charlottesville, Virginia
In This Issue
Quick Links
VOLUNTEER TO BE ON A COMMITTEE IN 2018. YOU'LL BE GLAD YOU DID!
VEDA 2018 Public Policy Platform
Sign up to be a SPONSOR in 2018
2018 C ORPORATE PATRONS









Nominate a community for a Community Economic Development Award
We all know that economic development is not a solo practice.  We team with government, the private sector, and countless others to make our communities competitive. Several years ago, the Southern Economic Development Council (SEDC) instituted a new awards program that recognized outstanding communities for their efforts in advancing the economic viability of their communities through economic and community development programs. 
 
The CEDA program recognizes the best practices and exceptional contributions of communities in the Commonwealth of Virginia for the following efforts:  Business Retention and Expansion;  Business Recruitment;  Community Development; and  Community Involvement
 
CLICK HERE for Nominating and Selection Criteria for Virginia's 2018 CEDA Program. The winners will be announced and recognized in Richmond at VEDA's Spring Conference on Friday, April 13, 2018.    
 
So that we may continue to learn from each other, VEDA's Board of Directors and the CEDA Selection Committee urge you to identify an eligible success story in your community and nominate it for consideration TODAY!  
 
ALL NOMINATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2018
Choose from:
Communications
Sponsorship
Professional Development
Awards Committees
Membership
Conference Committees
and 
More!
Location advisors group releases third annual site selection trends report
CHICAGO - The Site Selectors Guild (SSG) released findings from the group's 2017 State of Site Selection Trends survey. SSG is the world's largest association of corporate location experts, whose combined membership leads corporate location projects valued at more than $30 billion in annual capital expenditures and thousands of new jobs globally each year.
 
For three consecutive years, SSG has surveyed its members on their predictions for the future of site selection and the state of industry in the U.S. and abroad. All forty-three members responded to the survey and the full report contains their collective thoughts on the current state of site selection.
 
Top insights for the next three years from the 2017 Guild member survey included:
  • 85 percent of Guild members predict that the number of manufacturing projects in the U.S. will increase over the next three years.
  • 76 percent predict the decision to not participate in the Trans-Pacific Partnership will impact corporate site selection projects in the U.S.
  • 72 percent expect distribution projects to increase in international locations
  • 90 percent predict that an increase in restrictions on immigration will impact projects considering the U.S.
  • Labor skills shortages worldwide represent a prominent challenge for companies seeking to expand or establish new facilities.
  "Site selection consultants and the major expansion and development projects they manage can serve as a barometer for the overall global economy," said Mark Williams, board chair of the Site Selectors Guild. "Findings from our annual member survey are relevant to location advisors, economic development professionals and corporate leaders responsible for their company's location investment decisions."
 
For a full copy of the 2017 Site Selectors Guild State of Site Selection trend survey, please visit the SITE SELECTORS GUILD WEBSITE.
 
About The Site Selectors Guild
The Site Selectors Guild (SSG) is a professional association comprised of the world's leading corporate location advisory consultants to companies looking to build or expand. The mission of SSG is to advance the profession of corporate location strategy by raising the awareness of the value professional location strategy and site selection services create for corporations, sharing thought leadership and best practices, developing and nurturing relationships between SSG members, economic development organizations and corporate stakeholders and contributing to policy discussions that affect location strategy and the future of the profession.
 
All members of SSG have been nominated and approved by their industry peers. As the first and only group of its kind, SSG brings together a dynamic network of site selectors from around the world, combining their talent and expertise to create an invaluable, top quality resource for both corporations seeking site selection assistance and economic development organizations.

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