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December 2019 Newsletter
CEO Update
Happy Holidays! I hope you are enjoying these monthly updates from VGR. We are excited about the regional success stories we shared in 2019, and we look forward to more collaboration with you in 2020. In late November, we held a Vision Casting session at our office with our communities. The input we received was extremely valuable, and we will use this information as we craft our next five-year strategic plan. I hope you experience some quality R&R with your family and friends this month. If you have any questions or input, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at kboswell@gatewayregion.com or 804-732-8971.
VGR Site Characterization Kicks Off
VGR is working to certify 22 sites in the Region that range from 10 to 25 acres and we have hired Timmons Group to facilitate the project. Each site will be characterized according to the tier categories as developed for the Virginia Business Ready Sites Program. In addition to the tier rating, each site will receive an infrastructure development cost estimate and a site development priority matrix. We expect these site assessment reports will be completed by late Spring 2020. Once received, the reports will be shared with our localities and the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP). Working in concert with the Virginia Business Ready Sites Program, VGR aims to increase the availability of development ready sites with a two-pronged approach of characterization and development. It is the goal of all parties involved to bring business ready sites online with greater speed and transparency than ever before.

Virginia Manufacturing Region Launches
This new region, nicknamed VMR, is active and has a new website at https://vamanufacturing.com/ . Virginia’s Manufacturing Region is a collaboration between Virginia’s Gateway Region, Virginia’s Growth Alliance and the Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance to market the region globally as a top advanced manufacturing destination. Our own Mario Camardella represented VMR on its first marketing mission this fall. More prospect trips are planned for the new year.
John Tyler Community College Opens New Workforce Development Center
The VGR Team visited John Tyler Community College this month to witness the opening of the newly renovated Bird Hall, newly renovated Nicholas Center, and new William H. Talley, III Center for Workforce Development, which have been under construction since summer 2018. The center will play an integral role in preparing the local workforce for future opportunities as VGR markets the region to new business. Read more HERE ( https://www.jtcc.edu/about/news/10796 ).
Virginia Business Magazine Features VGR President & CEO

Keith Boswell was listed in the December issue of Virginia Business as one of The Top 100 People to Meet in 2020 in the Rainmakers category. Read the full article HERE. https://www.virginiabusiness.com/article/rainmakers/
VGR Bids Farewell to Longtime Board Member Dorothy Jaeckle
At December’s VGR Board Meeting, members shared their best wishes and sincere thanks to Chesterfield County Supervisor Dorothy Jaeckle who has served for more than a decade. VGR President & CEO Keith Boswell and VGR Board Chairman Victor Branch paused here for a festive farewell photo. 
CARVANA announces 400 new jobs in Chesterfield County 

Read the full article here !
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Partner Spotlight
The Southside Electric Cooperative (SEC) strives to provide safe, reliable electricity and related services at the highest value to its member-owners. They exist to enhance the quality of life of the communities in which they serve and live. SEC achieves this mission by actions that demonstrate integrity, fiscal responsibility, member engagement, community involvement and by living out the cooperative principles. Headquartered in Crewe, VA, they serve 55,000 homes and businesses in 18 counties across central and Southside Virginia. Visit SEC at http://www.sec.coop/ .