The Online Newsletter for the Virginia Economic Developers Association
August 2018
President's Message
Summers are always enjoyable but also busy with the good things in life- vacations, warm weather, and holiday cookouts.  As we enter Labor Day weekend, our summer begins to wind down and I hope that it has been an enjoyable and productive time for you.
 
Our Fall Conference Committee, led this year by Jill Loope and Ann Blair Miller, has completed its summertime planning for the September Fall Conference and the conference will not disappoint. The Roanoke region is a great place to visit and to gather for a VEDA meeting.  
 
We have a great schedule of activities and social time together. This year's Fall Conference theme is centered around innovation, which is at the center of how we are adapting our profession in an evolving economy.  Technology is central and being responsive to business needs and our constituencies is as critical as it has ever been.  Utilizing ever-changing technology in what we do in serving our communities requires us to constantly innovate and apply new strategies.  
 
I am confident that VEDA's Fall Conference at the Hotel Roanoke, September 12th through the 14th, will deliver on our 2018 program theme of change in economic development.
 
Enjoy your Labor Day weekend!

-Ken McFadyen, VEDA President
VEDA Member News
Gerald Gordon, who has served as President & CEO of the Fairfax County EDA for 31 years has announced he will be leaving at the end of the year for a fellow position with the College of Charleston in South Carolina.

Turner Widgen has been named Special Assistant to the Secretary of Commerce and Trade. Prior to her appointment, Turner served as Communications Specialist and Associate Communications Manager at the Virginia Economic Development Partnership since March 2016.

VEDP Staff Changes:
  • Tommy Miller has moved from a project management role on the Products Team to the Lead Generation Team as a Business Manager in the Business Investment Division.
  • Jason Smith  has joined VEDP as a Business Manager on the Products Team in the Business Investment Division. Jason previously served as the Director of Community and Economic Development for Fluvanna County.
  • Tracy Tynan  accepted a position as Director for the Virginia Office of Unmanned Systems at the Center of Innovative Technology. Tracy was a Business Manager on the Technologies and Services Team in the Business Investment Division.
  • Scott Parsons  has retired from his position as Vice President of the Division of Incentives.
  • Johan Salen  has joined VEDP as Vice President of the Division of Incentives. Johan recently served as Executive Director of the New York City Industrial Development Agency.
The Shenandoah Valley Partnership has launched a new regional economic development website with a new domain name. Check out www.theshenandoahvalley.com. 

The Winchester, Virginia Economic Development Department  has launched a new website at
VEDA board member Amanda Jarratt to serve on rural Virginia Board
Amanda Jarratt, president and CEO of the Franklin-Southampton Economic Development Inc., has been appointed as a board trustee of the Center for Rural Virginia, which is for a two-year term. Delegate Emily Brewer (R-64) nominated Jarratt.

The Center for Rural Virginia is a non-profit created by the Virginia General Assembly in 2004 to address the obstacles and capitalize on the many opportunities in rural Virginia.

CLICK HERE to read more.
How long does it really take? A satirical look at BRE
When a board member sees your goal of two (2) BRE visits a week, do they ask if that's  all  you have time for? They don't understand the time it takes to set up and prepare for the meeting (often rescheduling a few times) and how much time it takes for follow up and information tracking. How many times are you tasked with something others think takes "just a few minutes?" This is a somewhat  satirical  look at how long it really takes a developer to do some common tasks. Share it with your board members!

CLICK HERE to read more of this article from Creative Economic Development Consulting.
In This Issue
BRE
ONLINE REGISTRATION CLOSES FOR THE 

VEDA Fall Conference
September 12-14, 2018

ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7TH

2018 C ORPORATE PATRONS













In the news...
The Virginia Chamber Foundation has released its 2nd Quarter Economic Update. In an online update released at the end of July, the report says, "The 2nd quarter of 2018 brought more good news. Nationally, year-over-year growth in Total Non-farm Employment continued to accelerate, reversing the decelerating growth trend we had been experiencing since 2015.

To check out the  Chamber's Economic Dashboard CLICK HERE.

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