Time seems to be flying by in 2019--this week the calendar says we officially welcome summer though many of us got a jump-start in Portsmouth two weeks ago for our Summer Membership Meeting. Big thanks to Robert Moore (City of Portsmouth) and his team who rolled out the red carpet for VEDA members! The program and meeting committees put together an informative session featuring three site selectors who shared their expertise - and unfiltered feedback- with members.  If you were not able to join us, make sure you ask a colleague for their one or two big takeaways- very valuable feedback from the site selector community.    

 

Over the last two weeks, your VEDA leadership team continued our practice of regular meetings with state leadership.  We had great conversations with Secretary of Commerce and Trade Brian Ball and his team, Virginia Economic Development Partnership's (VEDP) Stephen Moret and Christy Morton and our friends at the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) led by Erik Johnston.  These sessions allow VEDA to stay up to date on new initiatives and have strategic discussions about budget, policies and more- all in an effort to further economic development statewide.

 

Our team will continue those strategic discussions later this summer at our annual Board Retreat- if you have ideas or thoughts that you think the Board should address, my ears (and inbox) are always open!

 

Have a safe and enjoyable summer- hope to see you all soon!

Stephanie Landrum

VEDA President

Alexandria Economic Development Partnership

The Cardinal Award is the most prestigious award bestowed by VEDA to deserving members. The award recognizes leadership in the field of economic development, outstanding professional accomplishments, and exceptional service to the organization. Nominations are open in early summer each year to VEDA past or current members. The nominator must be a member of the Association.

Nominations must be made online. The form links below are provided only for your convenience in preparing to submit a nomination. Do not use the forms below to submit your nomination.

Sample Nomination Form

Sample Service to VEDA Form*

Past Cardinal Recipients

*Contact the VEDA office for assistance with the Service to VEDA form.

The FY2020 Virginia Telecommunication Initiative (VATI) grant round will open on Monday, June 24, 2019. The deadline for completed applications will be Monday, Sept.3, 2019. Learn more here  .

 

DHCD has received $19 million for FY2020 to implement broadband infrastructure deployment in partnership with units of local government and private internet service providers across the commonwealth. The funds shall be used to extend service to areas that presently are unserved by any broadband provider.

The VEDA 2019 Fall Conference will be held at the Omni Richmond Hotel September 18-20. The Program Committee is hard at work to put together Tools for Telling Your Story. So mark your calendar, reserve your hotel room and plan to join us in Richmond in September.

Hope to see you there!

MAPA is partnering with VA Renewable Energy Alliance (VA-REA) and several other not-for-profit organizations to offer the first-ever Virginia Clean Energy Summit on September 17, 2019 at the Richmond Convention Center.

The partner organizations will continue to bring the importance of clean energy as an economic development driver here in the Commonwealth. The Solar Foundation reports that almost 4,000 jobs are sustained in Virginia in 2018 by the solar energy industry; this is predicted to increase in 2019. READ MORE.

City of Danville economic development director Telly Tucker will show his musical side leading musical productions in D.C.  On June 22, he will be music director of the shows "Just a Little Bit of Ray," at 5 p.m., and "A Musical Journey," at 7 p.m. at THEARC Blackbox Theater on Mississippi Avenue Southeast. CLICK HERE to read more!

  

VEDA Member Nicole Smith received the designation of Certified Economic Developer from the International Economic Development Council. Nicole serves as Economic Development Coordinator for the City of Manassas.

The City of Manassas Office of Economic Development launched their new Move to Manassas website to kickstart a multi-channel campaign focused on the community's unique lifestyle which embodies expansive economic development, meaningful civic engagement and a vibrant thriving job market.

Michaela Martin (Virginia Economic Development Partnership) has been promoted from Associate Business Manager to Business Manager on the Products Team in the Business Investment Division.

VEDA Cardinal and Past President Matthew James has been appointed Deputy Director of the Department of General Services (DGS). He has served as a member of the Virginia House of Delegates from the 80th District since 2010 and was a member of the Major Employment and Investment (MEI) Project Approval Commission.  

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership was named the most effective state-level economic development group in the United States by Site Selection.

VEDA is again teaming up with Virginia Business to promote the magazine's 27 ^th Annual Economic Development Site Locator. This special report will appear in the August issue of Virginia Business. 

Invest in a full or half page display ad, and you can double your message's impact. Virginia Business will match the space with your detailed story that picks up where your display ad leaves off. Send Virginia Business your copy, photos, logo, and they will do the rest. Full-page profile = 450 words; half-page profile = 250 words. Plus: 2-page and 1-page Site Locator advertisers will receive a free ½-page horizontal ad in Virginia Business' October issue-Construction feature or in the November issue - Big Economic Development feature.

 

Contact Hunter Bendall ( 804-225-0078/hbendall@va-business.com ) for more information.