Volume 3, Issue 5; May, 2009
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Virginia's Region 2000 Partnership gets a new look
 Virginia's Region 2000 Partnership has undergone a new look to better communicate its vision and identity. A new logo was unveiled at the recent Annual Report Breakfast at LU. We believe the new logo better reflects our guiding focus on regional collaboration, economic growth, and progress in innovation. Special thanks to AREVA's Cassie Hagen who led our Partnership brand strategy session and to Shout Out, LLC for the concept direction and design work.
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Tech Council announces 2009 award winners at annual dinner
 Virginia's Region 2000 Technology Council honored two companies and one individual who have made outstanding contributions in the tech sector this past year at its Eighth Annual Awards Banquet held on Tuesday, May 19 at the Kirkley Hotel in Lynchburg.
Left to right: Peter Zdgiebloski and Robbie Hall of CMC Rebar Virginia, Innovator of the Year Award; Greg Snowman of Sterling Blower Systems, Technology Company of the Year; and Jeff Schleicher, a precision machine technology instructor from E.C. Glass High School, Educator of the Year.
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Local businesses needed to provide summer jobs, with help from Workforce Investment Board grant
 The Alliance for Families and Children, along with Central Virginia
Community College, will employ 110 young adults this summer
through a Youth Summer Employment program. The program, which will give
students work experience with local employers and a paycheck, is
possible through a grant from the Region 2000 Workforce Investment Board. The $290,000 grant stems from stimulus funds the board received
and will help businesses and youth starting in June.
To discuss possible positions at your company, please call (434) 845-5944, ext. 236. Read more here. |
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CAER and Wiley|Wilson gather input on research and education facility
 CAER staff and Wiley|Wilson (A&E firm selected) have been hard at work over the last few weeks talking to regional stakeholders about the needs for the research and education facility that will be built in 2010. As part of the programming phase, Facility Design Committee members, staff and board members recently met with Wiley|Wilson to explore critical needs for the facility such as wireless and nuclear energy labs and programs, and common spaces such as classrooms, offices and meeting rooms.
The 2 5,000 square-foot facility planned for the New London Business and Technology Park in Bedford County is made possible in part due to a $7.6 million award from the Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission. The facility will meet the needs of local industry, with research and development in energy, wireless communications and electronics. Read the facility announcement here. You can download design concepts of the building (pdf) here.
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Stimulus funds sought for improvements to Rt. 460/Rt. 29
 The Central Virginia Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is encouraging the Governor's Office and the Commonwealth Transportation Board to direct stimulus funds to improve road conditions along a 1.5 mile stretch of Rt. 460/Rt. 29 in Lynchburg. This section of roadway where the Route 29 bypass comes together with Rt. 460, includes multiple driveways and median turns into residential and commercial areas. Since the Rt. 29/Madison Heights Bypass opened nearly two years ago, this section has experienced a significant increase in congestion and accidents due to the increase in traffic, up 31 percent to about 34,000 vehicles a day. Total accidents have jumped from five in the 18 months immediately preceding the opening of the Bypass, to 35 for the 18 months immediately following the opening.
According to Bob White, Deputy Director, Local Government Council, VDOT is currently looking into several alternatives to address the safety and access problems associated with that stretch of highway. "It's an important economic artery for this region and the ability to move through it safety and smoothly is a priority," he said.
The Local Government Council, which staffs the MPO, is awaiting word from the Commonwealth Transportation Board on whether it will receive the funds needed to make the road improvements.
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YPCV gives a helping hand for Day of Caring, appoints new board members
 The Young Professionals of Central Virginia (YPCV) recently participated in the United Way Day of Caring, providing talented painters for the Downtown YMCA and the home of Mrs. Pearl Robinson.
New board members appointed
The council also recently elected a vice-chair, Amanda Denny of Randolph College, and four new board members: Vineet Jolly of Tyco Electronics, Ryan Thomas Neace of Neace Network and Consult, Savannah Johnson of Lynchburg College, and Chris McCune of Lynch's Landing.
YP Voices event to be held May 28
On Thursday May 28, Kim Wilkerson of Central Virginia Federal Credit Union will present the monthly YPCV professional development event entitled "How Full is Your Bucket?" at 7:30 a.m. at Terrace on the James restaurant. Full breakfast is $8. RSVP to aloper@ypcv.org.
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Ecomomic developers show off the region to state officials
 The Economic Development Council hosted two representatives from the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) last week as part of a two day tour to show off regional business parks and key destinations throughout Region 2000. The Council coordinates these types of planned visits several times a year in an effort to attract more business prospects to the localities within the region. The VEDP is regularly the first point of contact for business prospects who are looking to locate in the state. Also last week, Bryan David and Traci Blido presented a business update at a VEDP staff meeting in Richmond, with more than 20 state officials in attendance.
Pictured: Local economic developers and VEDP officials, left to right, Mike Davidson, Marjette Glass, Bryan David, Sue Montgomery, John Loftus (VEDP), Elizabeth Berry-Mosely, Kevin Miller (VEDP) Telly Tucker, and John Spencer.
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Free state workshops held in region for small businesses
 A free Entrepreneur Express workshop will be held on Tuesday, June 9, 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. at the CVCC Bedford Center, 1633 Venture Blvd., Bedford. Read more here.
A free Growing Sales Seminar will be held on Tuesday, June 2, 8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. at Sweet Briar College Florence Elston Inn and Conference Center in Amherst. This seminar covers:
- The potential of selling to state, federal and local government markets
- Selling to the private sector
- Marketing 101 and Credit Issues
- Other methods of business growth
- Social Networking
To register, click here or contact Tammy Farmer directly at 804-371-8258.
Both programs are conducted by the Virginia Department of Business Assistance.
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STEM Workforce Program Manager hired
 The Technology Council is pleased to announce that Janet Walton is appointed as Program Manager to manage Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math workforce programs in Region 2000. Janet brings tremendous talent to this position with a strong background working with non-profits, grant writing, teaching and a love for science and technology.
The Technology Council is engaged in over a dozen activities and programs that seek to assist our region's youth in pursuing high-tech careers, reaching more than 1,000 students over the past year.
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Sweet Briar to host summer engineering class for girls
 Sweet Briar will host a week-long summer engineering class for rising high school juniors and seniors July 19 - 24. The class is funded through a new Nuclear Science Foundation grant. Visit www.engineering.sbc.edu to learn more. |
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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, Workforce Investment Board, and Young Professionals of Central Virginia. We welcome your comments or story ideas.
Traci Blido
Program Mgr./Communications Officer
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To contact Virginia's Region 2000 Partnership, please call (434) 845-2000. |
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