The Online Newsletter for the Virginia Economic Developers Association
September 2020
President's Column
Dear VEDA Members,

There is an old joke that goes something like this “The Lone Ranger and Tonto were suddenly surrounded by a hundred hostile Indians. The Lone Ranger turns to Tonto and says “we may not get out of here alive”. Tonto replies “what do you mean we?” This joke ran through my mind recently as I stood before another locality’s elected body, pitching investment in a regional economic development project. Everything was going great until the members comments before the vote, and the Chairman expressed some concern that the citizens hadn’t been adequately notified about this proposed investment in a regional endeavor. Fortunately the other members reminded him of multiple notification processes and the request passed unanimously. I think the Chairman’s real concern was that the Board may be criticized for using financial resources for a regional project, instead of a local venture.

The example above of trepidation regarding regional endeavors is something we are all going to have to conquer to economically recover from the impact of COVID-19. I pulled the following language from a GOVA grant proposal to support a talent pipeline project for the Richmond and Hampton Roads regions. “Every effort must be made to accelerate economic recovery from COVID-19 on a local, regional, mega-region, and state-wide basis. Partnering and seamless coordination are the key. Whether it’s targeting the supply of tech and tech adjacent talent, appealing to the country’s growing distributed or remote workforce, or increasing opportunities for small businesses, black entrepreneurs, and minority-owned businesses, a coordinated approach will leverage limited resources and drive our desired outcome – job growth”. This argument stretches beyond regional cooperation and touches on the need to reach across divides between different agencies, like economic development and workforce services. In this revenue challenged environment effectively utilizing our resources is another key to accelerating our economic recovery.

VEDA is positioned perfectly to foster state-wide and regional cooperation, as well as cross agency cooperation. Simply by bringing together economic development professionals on all levels, and engaging our allies, we are promulgating this type of collaborative environment. Our impactED programs have exemplified this type of thinking, and our 2020 Virtual Fall Conference highlighted this as well. 

The 2020 Virtual Fall Conference has rightfully received stellar reviews, and I want to thank the conference Co-Chairs Amy Jordan and Chris Gullickson, and their committee, for putting on such an engaging event. I also want to thank our Executive Director, Connie Long, and her team for their ability to pivot, and reinvent our conference experience in such a positive way. Despite that success, I sincerely hope I will be able to see many of you in person at our next event.

Jim Noel
VEDA President
York County Economic Development
VEDA impactED Session: October 19, 2020

Speakers:

Glenn A. Youngkin, The Carlyle Group/Virginia Ready
Stephen Moret, Virginia Economic Development Partnership

Thursday, October 19, 2020 @ 12:30 pm

VEDA McGuireWoods Consulting and Virginia Community Capital Join Forces on Webinar
Rebuild & Reimagine: COVID-19's Impact on Plans for New Real Estate Development

Join Virginia Community Capital, McGuireWoods Consulting, and the Virginia Economic Developers Association for a conversation with real estate developers Ed Walker and Dave McCormack on October 22nd at 12 pm. Known for their catalytic projects and innovative approaches to rehab and reuse developments, these two developers will share their experience with COVID-19, how it has impacted their current work, and how they are adjusting their approach to future projects.  

Thursday, October 22, 2020 @ 12:00 pm

Members in the news
Congratulations to VEDA members named to the Virginia Business Virginia 500—The 2020 Power List. On the list for their role in Economic Development were Telly Tucker, Arlington Economic Development; Taylor Adams, Virginia Beach Department of Economic Development; Barry DuVal, Virginia Chamber of Commerce; H. Garrett Hart III, Chesterfield County Economic Development; Todd P. Haymore, Hunton Andrews Kurth, LLP; Victor Hoskins, Fairfax County Economic Development Authority; Stephanie Landrum, Alexandria Economic Development Partnership; Stephen Moret, Virginia Economic Development Partnership; Buddy Rizer, Loudoun County Economic Development; Anthony J. Romanello, Henrico County Economic Development Authority; Matthew Rowe, Pittsylvania County Economic Development; Leonard Sledge, City of Richmond Economic Development; and Douglas L. Smith, Hampton Roads Alliance.
VIED/VIDA - Virtual Economic Development Training combined for 2020
As learning and meetings continue to "go virtual" the Virginia Tech Office of Economic Development is pleased to present a combined learning experience for economic development professionals as well as EDA/IDA members and staff. On Monday, November 16th participants will have access to general sessions on economic development. The following day, Tuesday, November 17th will offer two concurrent learning tracks. One for the economic development practitioner and one for EDA/IDA members and staff. The group will come back together for a closing general session.

General session topics will include:
  • Four Fundamentals of Economic Development: An Overview
  • Business Recruitment
  • Business Retention and Expansion
  • Tourism as an Economic Engine
  • Growing Your Own—The Role of Entrepreneurism in Economic Development
  • Economic Development in Virginia: A Public Policy View

Economic Development Practitioner Track topics will include:
  • Economic Development and Higher Education
  • Workforce and Economic Development
  • Asset Based Development: Using the Unique Features of Your Community

EDA/IDA Members and Staff Track will include:
  • IDAs/EDAs: The Basics
  • Financing Tools Available to Localities to Facilitate Economic Development and Redevelopment
  • Utilizing IDAs/EDAs—Beyond the Basics

Benefits of Attending
  • Learn from leading industry professionals
  • Update your knowledge of the latest programs/techniques
  • Learn new ways to package and market your community’s assets
  • Interact virtually with economic development leaders from across the Commonwealth
  • Learn about the fundamentals of economic development
  • Learn how Virginia’s history and public policy impact the Commonwealth’s economic development programs at a local, regional, and state level.
  • Learn the role that partners plan in the economic development process

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO REGISTER CLICK HERE
Virginia Community Capital seeking Director for the Small Business Development Center in Richmond
About VCC:
Virginia Community Capital is a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) with a mission to create jobs, energize places, and promote an enhanced quality of life for Virginians. With offices in Christiansburg, Norfolk, and Richmond, we offer innovative and flexible financing tools throughout the state. In addition, we provide professional advisory services to individuals and organizations in low-to-moderate income and underserved communities.
 
Opportunity:
VCC is currently seeking a full-time Director for the Small Business Development Center at VCC (SBDC Director). The SBDC Director will be responsible for contributing to the relaunch of the Richmond-based center and managing the day-to-day operations with an emphasis on assisting businesses and entrepreneurs impacted by COVID-19. 
 
The SBDC Director will provide assistance, coaching, and strategic direction for new business startups or business expansions in the greater Richmond region; oversee professional training class delivery; represent the VCC SBDC at regional professional events and associations; and work with other directors and management within VCC to raise additional funding as required to expand services and offerings to small business owners. This is a grant-funded position contingent upon availability of grant funds. The VCC SBDC is part of the Virginia SBDC Network, a partnership program of the U.S. Small Business Administration and George Mason University. The position reports to the Director of Community Innovations for VCC

CLICK HERE for more information.
VEDA CORPORATE PATRONS 2020