Virginia's Region 2000 Partnership
Phone: 434-845-2000
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Young Professionals celebrate a year of growth
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 The Young Professionals of Central Virginia (YPCV) held its second annual stakeholders meeting on February 12 to celebrate a year of growth. In 2007, the YPCV network grew from 150 young professionals to almost 600 and held more than 30 events. According to Executive Director Jamie Quetglez, she and her board are planning to increase the number of events from two to three per month during 2008 to further their mission.
"The YPCV is delivering a critical need in our region," stated Economic Development Council Director Lee Cobb. 'We have supported the YPCV for the past two years and we encourage local businesses to join them in their effort to attract and retain a talented workforce."
The YPCV will hold its monthly 535 event at Charley's on Thursday, Feb. 21. For more information, please visit www.ypcentralva.org.
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CAER develops operation plan to support future facility efforts
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 The Center for Advanced Engineering and Research, with the help of RIT International, is developing an operations plan and facility requirement outline that will help them grow their presence in the region.
According to Executive Director Bob Bailey, local companies have been participating in preliminary interviews this month to provide input concerning regional research needs and other matters that will assist RIT in developing the operations plan.
The plan is scheduled to be completed by mid-March and will include a facilities plan, as well as a business and financial plan. For more information, please contact Bob Bailey.
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Town of Brookneal awarded $1 million DHCD grant
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 The Town of Brookneal has been selected to receive a $1 million Competitive Grant from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) to support downtown revitalization projects such as façade improvements, rehabilitation of downtown housing and streetscape work.
Scott Smith of the Region 2000 Local Government Council coordinated the grant application process and will work with downtown property owners, business owners, residents, and government officials, to manage this multi-faceted project. Read the News and Advance story here. For more information contact Scott Smith.
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220 new jobs for Bedford County
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 Barr Labs to invest $62 million to add capacity
Governor Timothy M. Kaine recently announced that Barr Laboratories, Inc. plans to invest $62 million to add production and packaging capacity at its facility in Bedford County to augment its current line of products. In addition, Barr plans to add equipment to incorporate a new timed-released technology for solid dosage pharmaceuticals. The project is expected to create 220 new jobs. Read the Governor's press release here. |
Virginia Go Green competition begins
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 The James River Green Building Council (JRGBC) is calling for submissions to its third Virginia Go Green Competition. The program was created to highlight design that supports the principles of sustainability in Virginia. JRGBC seeks Virginia designers' projects for display and discussion that illustrate regional efforts to integrate environmentally responsible design methods and materials into the built environment. Entry deadline is March 27. For more information, please log on to www.jrgbc.org/gogreen/. |
Planning District Commissions celebrate 40 Years of regional planning
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Virginia's Regi on 2000 Local Government Council recently joined the Virginia Association of Planning District Commissions (VAPDC) as they celebrated 40 years of regional planning at the 2008 VAPDC Winter Conference in Richmond, Virginia. The Local Government Council encourages and facilitates regional solutions to problems of area-wide significance and is one of 21 regional commissions in the Commonwealth. It is made up of elected officials and citizens appointed by the local governments within Region 2000. .
To mark the occasion, Governor Timothy Kaine and First Lady Anne Holton provided remarks to the crowd of PDC Directors, Commissioners, and State agency heads thanking them for their service. Governor Linwood Holton received special recognition for signing Executive Order 15 during his time as Virginia Governor which helped establish regional cooperation in the Commonwealth. For more information about VAPDC, visit www.vapdc.org.
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SBDC offers "Start Smart" class
Local center also sponsors franchising expo in Richmond |
 In celebration of Enrepreneurship Week USA the week of Feb. 17-23, The Region 2000 Small Business Development Center will offer a Start Smart seminar on Thursday, Feb. 21 from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. at the College Hill Neighborhood Center, 811 Jackson St., Lynchburg for those who are thinking of starting their own business. This seminar will be offered at various dates and locations through the region over the next several months. The two-hour session will go over six factors to consider before starting a business, such as legal structures, planning, and methods for deciding if a small business venture is right for you. The fee is $10 and includes an information packet. Pre-registration requested. Please call 434-582-6170 or go to www.lbdc.com.
Also, the SBDC is a sponsor of the Central Virginia Franchise and Financing Expo, held Saturday and Sunday, March 1-2 in Richmond. All in one place, you can learn about franchises and financing in virtually every industry. To learn more, click here. |
Tech Council opens nominations for annual awards banquet on May 20
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Mark your calendars for the Technology Council's 6th annual Awards Banquet to be held on May 20 at the Kirkley Hotel. Nominations are now open for the three award categories: Technology Company of the Year, Innovator of the Year, and Educator of the Year (2007 winners pictured here.) The deadline for award nominations is May 1. For more information or to watch the video from last year's event, click here.
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Region 2000 selected as site for 2008 Rural Summit gathering
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 The Council for Rural Virginia has selected Region 2000 as the location for its 2008 Rural Summit to be held September 15-16 at the Kirkley in Lynchburg. Over 200 elected officials and business representatives from throughout the state will gather to address issues related to strengthening economies and preserving quality of life in rural Virginia.
Becca Lingley and the Lynchburg Regional Chamber of Commerce were instrumental in working with the organization during the site selection process for this event. Local Government Council Executive Director Gary Christie and Amherst County farmer and businessman Gary Tucker serve on the Council from our region |
Regional Service Authority receives SCC approval
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 The Virginia State Corporation Commission recently certified the incorporation of the Region 2000 Services Authority, allowing it to take over solid waste disposal for four Region 2000 localities beginning July 1. The Service Authority will save cities and counties about $9.7 million in annual costs by consolidating solid waste services, landfill mangement, and equipment into one operation. The Authority will contract with the Local Government Council which will hire 23 employees under the direction of Solid Waste Director Clarke Gibson.
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Virginia's Region 2000 Partnership serves 10 localities and is made up of the Economic Development Council, Technology Council, Center for Advanced Engineering and Research, Local Government Council, The Workforce Investment Board, and the Young Professionals of Central Virginia. We welcome your comments or story ideas.
Traci Blido, Communications Officer
Virginia's Region 2000 Partnership | | |
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