"Determining our Future" campaign is launched

Virginia's Region 2000 Partnership launched its five-year public/private fundraising campaign recently to continue to strengthen our region's ability to compete effectively for quality jobs and new capital investment. Thirteen area leaders are serving as co-chairs for the "Determining our Future: Together We Grow" campaign aimed at raising $3.95 million in five-year pledges to carry out its strategic priorities from 2012-2016.

Four of the Partnership's six organizations will benefit from the campaign: Economic Development Council, Technology Council, Center for Advanced Engineering & Research, and the Young Professionals of Central Virginia. The Workforce Investment Board is funded through the federally funded Workforce Investment Act, while the Local Government Council operates from local government participation, state resources and project management/contract fees.

The campaign leaders have set five priorities for Partnership staff to focus on in its work plan: Innovation, Workforce Development, Business Retention and Recruitment, Regional Marketing, and identifying opportunities for Collaboration.

Click here to view the campaign brochure and learn more about this effort. 

The development of Gateway Park and refurbishment of the Broad Street pedestrian bridge were components of the overall streetscape project in Altavista.

The Town of Altavista and Appomattox County were two of the eight Transportation Enhancement Grants awarded to localities from VDOT's Lynchburg District. 

Altavista's $501,000 award is the final piece in a comprehensive downtown revitalization project that has so far included more than $1.2 million in transportation enhancement funds, $1 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, and $1.7 million in local private and public matching funds.

Appomattox County received $213,000.This grant represents the third successful Transportation Enhancement Grant awarded to the county with a total of $273,000 having been awarded in previous grant rounds.  All of the Transportation Enhancement grant monies, combined with local in-kind and financial contributions, will be utilized to design and build the first phase of the Appomattox Heritage and Recreational Trail.  The approximate 1.6 mile trail will create a pedestrian linkage between the Town of Appomattox and the Appomattox County Community Park.   

The CAER has R&D space for local companies and universities.

The Center for Advanced Engineering & Research (CAER) will hold its Grand Opening Event on Thursday, August 25, 2011 at 10 a.m. at its new facility located in Bedford County's New London Business & Technology Center, 1173 Research Way, Forest, VA.  

This research and education facility, underwritten through a $7.6 million Tobacco Commission grant, will serve as the region's source for industry innovation in nuclear and wireless technologies and will result in knowledge creation and economic growth through new patents, business start-ups and breakthrough technologies.  

The key elements of the building include:

• Fully configurable nuclear power plant control room simulator
• High-performance computing capability and visualization lab to support the development of three-dimensional simulation models of plant operation
• Six 20 x 32 ft. research labs 
• Support space for up to eight research faculty and 16 research assistants
• Cognitive radio test room and 100-foot antenna tower
• The Babcock & Wilcox mPower ™ Integrated System Test Facility