Weekly Newsletter
November 2, 2017
In the News  
VGR Board Executives Victor Branch and Peter Clements Receive Awards of Distinction from the Richard Bland College Foundation
 
Crater Regional Workforce Center Opens in Petersburg 
 
Register now for the Metro Richmond Exports Initiative's upcoming Lunch & Learn to discuss exporting resources specific to manufacturers.   
Partner Spotlight
ITAC specializes in engineering and construction for industrial and manufacturing clients, many of which are the world's largest companies and brands. While ITAC has experience in virtually every industry, they are experts in Chemicals, Films & Fibers, Pulp & Paper, Power & Utilities, and Food & Beverage.  ITAC excels at industrial design build and EPC projects, industrial controls and automation, balance of plant services as well as fall protection and power systems. ITAC's world-class safety record and APMā„¢ (Assured Project Management) process provide a seamless client experience that assures success from project concept to completion. ITAC has offices in Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina and will be celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2018.

The Best-Educated State? Virginia's Plan for Increased Degree Attainment

By Jessica Sabbath | Virginia Business | Full Article      

Becoming the most-educated state is an ambitious proposal, especially as college tuition continues to rise and changing demographics create challenges. The Virginia Plan for Higher Education provides a framework on how the Commonwealth can become "the best-educated state" by 2030. It includes targets such as raising degree completion to a total of 1.5 million awards, increasing research expenditures by 30 percent and improving the affordability of higher education.

Currently Virginia ranks sixth highest among the states for percentage of working-age adults with a degree or credential. About 51 percent of Virginia's working-age adults currently meet that standard, according to the Lumina Foundation, an Indianapolis-based foundation whose goal is to make post-secondary education more available.
Publix Supermarket Opens in Colonial Heights 
 
By Kelsey Reichenberg | Progress-Index | Full Article 
    
COLONIAL HEIGHTS - Publix Supermarket officially opens to the community on Wednesday, November 1 at 7 a.m. in Colonial Square Shopping Center. The grocery chain will offer customers a selection of groceries, along with deli and bakery departments.
 
In addition to their emphasis on customer service, Publix strives to become heavily involved within its communities.
"Publix donated a $500 check to each of the five public schools in Colonial Heights, and the store's managers spent a day volunteering at the local food pantry a few months ago," said Colonial Heights Mayor Gregory Kochuba. "They have already displayed a strong desire to have a big tie to our community," he said.