|
The Online Newsletter for the Virginia Economic Developers Association
|
|
Happy Autumn! It's hard to believe it's that season when leaves fall, candy abounds, everything is pumpkin spice, and the holiday sales are on when it's so warm! But we were spoiled at the Fall Conference at The Homestead with warm weather, so I'll take it!
As we begin winding down the year, it is important that you know how busy your Board of Directors, Executive Committee and Committees have been this year. Always working to be the "Voice of Economic Development in Virginia," and increasing our presence and political capital in the legislative and executive hallways in Richmond, we:
- Had a great VEDA Legislative Reception and Day at the General Assembly - meeting with dozens of legislators to tell our story about the success of incentive programs;
- Unveiled a powerful new logo as a first step in our rebranding process;
- Enjoyed an engaging and informative Spring Conference in Williamsburg;
- Took our first trip to Martinsville for the Summer Membership Meeting - and saw amazing workforce initiatives in Virginia's Southside;
- Held multiple meetings with Secretary of Commerce Maurice Jones before he left in September, with Bill Shelton at DHCD to discuss GO Virginia, and with the new Secretary of Commerce & Trade Todd Haymore;
- Met with the Virginia Senate leadership to discuss 2017;
- Held our annual Leadership Planning Retreat in Charlottesville;
- Represented you, the VEDA membership, on the GO Virginia Advisory Work Group;
- Enjoyed the Best Fall Conference Ever at The Homestead; and
- Held five Board of Directors meetings.
I truly hope you've seen results from all this hard work. If you haven't, ask - because we saw tremendous growth in the respect we enjoyed at the General Assembly.
I also share this long list of activities with you, because I want you to know how hard our group works. We are always looking for heightened engagement from our membership. We want new faces to volunteer to work on our committees. Yes, it is a commitment of time, but an investment with a guaranteed return. Organizational pride, growth and credibility, strong friendships and partnerships, and downright fun are all included in that return.
I look forward to seeing all of you in Richmond on November 30, when we hold our Annual Meeting and Winter Membership Luncheon. It's guaranteed to be educational and enjoyable. Until then, enjoy this Indian Summer!!
-Deborah K. Flippo, VEDA President
Draper Aden Associates
|
|
Attend VEDA's Annual Meeting and Winter Membership Luncheon on November 30th
|
VEDA's 2016 Annual Meeting and Membership Luncheon completes our program year of
Leveraging Virginia's Value Proposition
and brings a first-rate program to Richmond on November 30
th
. This final meeting for 2016 entitled
Business Talks, Virginia Listens: How Policy Success in Workforce Credentials is Winning Projects for the Commonwealth
will feature two communities who will discuss specific initiatives employed to take advantage of the New Economy Workforce Credential Grant Program. The keynote lunch presentation will feature The Honorable Todd Haymore, Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade.
AGENDA
9:00-10:00 am: Registration and Networking
10:00-11:30 am:
How Policy Success in Workforce Credentials is Winning Projects for the Commonwealth
11:30-12:15 pm: VEDA Annual Meeting of the Membership
12:15-1:45 pm: Awards Luncheon with Keynote Speaker
1:45 pm: Adjournment and Announcements
LOCATION
The Westin Richmond,
6631 West Broad Street,
Richmond, Virginia 23230,
800-937-8461
SPONSORED BY
|
|
VEDA announces two new member benefits
|
Mentor on Call program
- Mentor Resource Group applications being accepted
The VEDA Mentor on Call program has been created by the VEDA Cardinal Council to serve as a resource to new VEDA members or other members who have questions about economic development in general or questions about economic development in Virginia.
The first step in this new program is to create a pool of Mentors who will serve on this Resource list. The Mentor Resource group will be comprised of VEDA members with long-term local, regional and state experience in community development, either directly or a combination of professional expertise in such fields as utilities, engineering and economic development consulting. Potential Mentors must agree to have their contact information listed on the Mentor Resource group list on the VEDA website (accessed by members only) and agree to return phone calls and emails from those needing assistance. Members of the Cardinal Council will review the Mentor Resource group applications and notify the applicants on acceptance.
VEDA's new Career Center is up and running and can be found under the Professional Development tab on the VEDA home page or through this
LINK
.
With this new tool, VEDA members can create and manage their resumes via the Networking & Careers section of their personal Manage Profile page. Members can also set the privacy settings associated with their resumes to control who has access.
In addition to the creation of this online members-only, professional tool, members and non-members alike can create and manage their job postings directly through the website. Job postings are available for 90 days with VEDA members receiving a discounted rate. VEDA members should contact
jeanne@associationbuilders.com
to receive the promotional code allowing the discounted rate. Job postings will be available and open to any visitors to the VEDA site to receive maximum exposure.
|
 |
|
CIT announces FY2017 solicitation for Commonwealth Research Commercialization Fund
|
|
$2.8 million in funding opportunities available for Virginia's research community
 The Center for Innovative Technology (CIT) has announced
the Commonwealth Research Commercialization Fund (CRCF) Request for Proposals (RFP) for FY2017. Letters of Intent (LOIs) are due by Thursday, November 10th. Award announcements are planned for early June 2017.
The CRCF grows Virginia's economy by supporting high-potential technology commercialization projects at Virginia's public and private colleges and universities, the private sector and nonprofit research institutions. A single solicitation for $2.8 million will be offered in FY2017, with five programs available for funding: Commercialization, SBIR Matching Funds, STTR Matching Funds, Matching Funds and Eminent Researcher Recruitment.
Awards from the CRCF further the goals and industry opportunities set forth the in the
Commonwealth Research and Technology (R&T) Strategic Roadmap. Eligible technology sectors this round are advanced manufacturing, cyber security, energy, environment - specifically water quality, information technology, life sciences and unmanned systems.
|
|
EPA FY-2017 Brownfield grant proposal guidelines are out
|
Is your community in need of grant money to assess and clean up brownfield properties? The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is now accepting grant proposals for the FY 2017 Brownfields grants competition. The grant funds may be used to address sites contaminated by petroleum, hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants. Opportunities for funding this year include Assessment and Cleanup (AC) grants.
The proposal submission deadline is December 20, 2016.
The Guidelines, supplemental guidance documents, and resources are available at EPA's Website.
Need help in preparing your grant proposal? The Grant Proposal Guidelines have changed his year. We strongly encourage you to participate in the various workshops and use the other forms of assistance identified.
|
|
CDFA launches the Virginia Financing Roundtable in Partnership with VEDA
|
CDFA has launched the
Virginia Financing Roundtable and a partnership with VEDA. The Roundtable is dedicated to the development of a sustainable economic development finance industry for the state of Virginia and will bring the development finance industry together through education, resource management, research, and networking.
"CDFA is very proud to announce the launch of this new roundtable in such a key state." Said Toby Rittner, President & CEO of CDFA. "Virginia has always been very active in CDFA since our organization's beginning and launching this Roundtable is a milestone achievement for both CDFA and the leadership of the state. We are pleased to have VEDA partner with us moving forward."
The CDFA Virginia Financing Roundtable in partnership with VEDA will offer webcasts, online resources and dedicated state finance newsletters in the coming months. Topics covered will include bonds, tax increment finance/special assessment, tax credits, revolving loan funds, capital access, energy finance, seed & venture capital, public-private partnerships and the entire development finance toolbox.
The first CDFA Virginia Financing Roundtable conference was held in Richmond last month.
|
|
|
|
Watch your email for these important VEDA message:
Coming in December...
...VEDA Dues Renewal
...Nominations open for Community Economic Development Awards
...Applications accepted for 2017 Professional Development Scholarships
...Registration open for 2017 VEDA Legislative Reception
|
|
Thanks to our 2016 Corporate Patrons
|
|
VEDA 2017 Program Schedule announced
|
| Theme for 2017: Partnering for Progress
Economic Development is a team effort, bringing together a variety of partners and resources to make the team stronger. In 2017, VEDA will focus its programming topics on partnerships and collaboration in entrepreneurism, regionalism, higher education, competitiveness, and creating a culture for innovation.
Schedule for 2017:
Legislative Reception
January 16, 2017
Location: Richmond, Virginia
Spring Conference
March 29-31, 2017
Location: Charlottesville, Virginia
Powering a Dynamic Region through the Strength of Local Assets
Summer Membership Meeting
Wednesday, June 7, 2017
Location: Fredericksburg, Virginia
Embracing Shared Outcomes with Higher Education
Fall Conference
October 11-13, 2017
Location: Virginia Beach, Virginia
Gaining a Competitive Advantage through Collaboration
Winter Membership Luncheon & Annual Meeting
Wednesday, December 6, 2017
Location: Staunton, Virginia
Cultivating Culture and Refreshing Innovation
|
|
The
Virginia Beach Department of Economic Development has been recognized by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) as one of 50 economic development organizations accredited by IEDC as an Accredited Economic Development Organization (AEDO).
The
Shenandoah Valley Partnership (SVP) received a Gold Excellence in Economic Development Award for its Harvest Box Save the Date project in the category of General Purpose Print Promotion from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC).
The
C
ity of Waynesboro received two Silver Excellence in Economic Development Awards in the less than 25,000 population category from IEDC. The award winning projects were the Grow Waynesboro Website and An Entrepreneur's Guide to Starting a Business in Waynesboro, VA, both of which focused on developing and growing small businesses in the Valley.
Jonathan D. Sweet has been named County Administrator for Pulaski County, Virginia. Sweet has been the Grayson County Administrator for more than seven years. He begins his new job in January 2017.
Henry Cobb has joined The Ron Sawyer Team at RE/MAX Allegiance Realty in Hampton Roads. Cobb was previously with Tidewater Community College in Workforce Services.
Courtland Robinson has been selected to serve as the new Director of Business Development for the Shenandoah Valley Partnership (SVP) Robinson previously served as the Assistant Director of Economic Development in the City of Staunton.
Liz Povar, Riverlink Group LLC, has been named Executive Director for the new Middle Peninsula Economic Development Resource Organization. Povar has worked in economic development for more than 30 years at the state and local levels.
The Southern Economic Development Council (SEDC) selected two of Virginia's four submissions for their 2016 Community Economic Development Awards (CEDA).
Rocky Mount, VA won in population category of less than 5,000 and
Virginia Beach, VA won in population category of more than 100,000. The winners were recognized at the SEDC Annual Conference in Kansas City, Missouri.
|
|
The Virginia Resources Authority's (VRA) b
iennial
Governor's Infrastructure Financing Conference
will be in at the Williamsburg Lodge, December 14-16, 2016.
A room block has been reserved for The 2016 Governor's Infrastructure Financing Conference. Further information may be found HERE or you can click HERE to register directly online.
|
|
|
|
|
Virginia Business Ready Sites Program funds 28 projects across the Commonwealth
|
|
The first round of Virginia Business Ready Sites Program (VBRSP) grants to 28 projects across the Commonwealth have been announced. The VBRSP, administered by the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP), is a discretionary program established to help Virginia localities develop and market their existing industrial or commercial sites to prospective businesses, thus enhancing the Commonwealth's infrastructure and promoting its competitive business environment.
"I am confident that the Virginia Business Ready Sites Program will be a powerful economic development tool to identify marketable sites for prospective businesses," said Governor McAuliffe. "Every locality that requested funding and met the required guidelines will receive it, which is a huge testament to the motivation and commitment of Virginia's communities and our partnership to ensure that the Commonwealth remains competitive in the global arena. These grants will be used to identify and assess large sites so they can be marketed for industrial or commercial purposes, thus increasing Virginia's inventory. This new program goes hand-in-hand with our efforts to diversify and build a new Virginia economy, and I congratulate the award recipients and the four business ready sites."
More than 20 Virginia localities were approved for more than $96,000 in funding to assess their industrial or commercial sites and receive a Site Characterization Tier Level. Four Virginia sites have been designated as business ready sites and 28 grants will be awarded during Phase I of the program. Tier 4 designations include: Commonwealth Crossing Business Centre in Henry County, New River Valley Commerce Park in Pulaski County, and Wildwood Commerce Park in Carroll County. The CenterPoint Intermodal Center in Suffolk is the first recognized site with Tier 4 and Tier 5 certifications, meaning all critical infrastructure components are in place.
Through this public-private partnership program, localities can apply for funding to identify marketable properties greater than 100 contiguous acres. Acreage readiness is ranked from Tier 1 to Tier 5, as outlined below.
- Tier 1: The site is not zoned and minimal or no due diligence has been performed;
- Tier 2: Owners have agreed to a competitive sale price and the comprehensive plan reflects that the site is intended for industrial or commercial development;
- Tier 3: Sites are zoned for commercial and industrial use, due diligence has been completed and the estimated costs of development have been quantified;
- Tier 4: All infrastructure is in place or will be deliverable within one year and all permit issues have been identified or quantified; and,
- Tier 5: All permits are in place and the site is ready for a disturbance permit.
"The Virginia Business Ready Sites Program provides an important avenue for localities to assess, better develop, and then market their large acreage sites for economic and job creation opportunities," said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Todd Haymore. "With awards being made from Tazewell County to the City of Chesapeake, it is exciting to see most all regions of Virginia benefit from this new program."
Applicants awarded can use the funds for retaining or reimbursement of a site development professional for site characterization. The VBRSP committee is comprised of state, regional, and local stakeholders, including VEDP, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, railroad representatives, utility representatives, civil engineers and other government, business and industry representatives.
Phase II of the Virginia Business Ready Sites Program will provide funds for site development. Applications for the site development grants will be accepted in 2017.
The Phase I award recipients includes the following:
- Appomattox County Economic Development Authority, Appomattox Center for Business & Commerce, Lot 13 ($4,450)
- Town of Ashland, Holland/Axelle Site ($5,000)
- Augusta County, Blue Mountain Properties ($5,000)
- Bedford County, New London Business & Technology Center ($5,000)
- Botetourt County, Botetourt Center at Greenfield ($5,000)
- Chesapeake Economic Development Authority, Frank Williams Farm ($5,000)
- Dinwiddie County, Boydton Plank Road - Portion of Virginia Motorsports Park ($5,000)
- Franklin County, Southway Business Park ($5,000)
- Fredericksburg Regional Alliance, Orrock-Simms Assemblage ($5,000)
- Henrico County Economic Development Authority, White Oak 5/6 ($581)
- Henrico County Economic Development Authority, White Oak 7 ($534.50)
- Henrico County Economic Development Authority, White Oak 8 ($683.50)
- Henrico County Economic Development Authority, White Oak 10/11/12 ($597.50)
- Isle of Wight County Economic Development Authority, Shirley T. Holland Intermodal Park, Phase III ($2,025)
- New Kent County Economic Development Authority, Kinney Tract 2, ($5,000)
- New Kent County Economic Development Authority, New Kent City Center ($5,000)
- Orange County, King Property ($2,065.25)
- Danville-Pittsylvania Regional Industrial Facility Authority, Berry Hill ($1,400)
- Pittsylvania County, Southern Virginia Multi-Model Park - Former Burlington Hurt Industrial Site ($5,000)
- Rockingham County, Innovation Village @ Rockingham (IV@R) ($4,000)
- Shenandoah County, Town of Mount Jackson, Turkey Knob Road ($5,000)
- Southampton County, Camp Parkway Commerce Center ($4,800)
- Spotsylvania County, Gilman Tract East ($2,376.50)
- Spotsylvania County, Gilman Tract West ($3,575)
- City of Staunton Economic Development Authority, Staunton Crossing ($5,000)
- Town of Bluefield, Leatherwood Site ($1,187.50)
- Joint Industrial Development Authority of Wythe County, Progress Park ($630)
- York County Economic Development Authority & James City County Economic Development Authority, Pottery Property ($2,500)
|
|
|
|
|
Copyright © 2016. All Rights Reserved.
|
|
|
|
