Volume 4, Issue 5; May, 2010
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2009-2010 Annual Report now published
 Virginia's Region 2000 Partnership has published its 2009 - 2010 Annual
Report this month. Read about the latest achievements over the past year
and how our region has fared in the downturn.
The report
can be downloaded here or you may request a paper copy by contacting Traci Blido, Communication Officer.
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Study shows regional economy moves toward high growth industries
 Virginia's Region 2000 Economic Development Council (EDC) released an independent
regional economic study this month that addresses how the local economy is
rebalancing itself toward high paying, high growth jobs in the wake of
the national downturn.
The 2010 study looked at industry gainers and losers and wage trends,
as well as the impact made by the the Region 2000 Partnership to grow
the pool of technologically-trained workers for the new economy. Richmond-based Mangum Economic Consulting, LLC conducted the
analysis.
Download a full copy of the report here (pdf).
See related WSET news report here.
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Tech Council announces 2010 winners
 Virginia's Region 2000 Technology Council hosted its 9th Annual Awards Night on May 11, 2010 at the Holiday Inn Downtown Lynchburg, honoring outstanding contributions in the tech sector this past year. This year's winners: - Innovator of the Year - Team Edison2 of Lynchburg for its design and creation of "The Very Light Car" (pictured.)
- Technology Company of the Year - ABS Technology Architects of Lynchburg for outstanding tech support to area businesses.
- Educator of the Year - Marcia Yochum, a high school physics teacher and chair of the science department at Virginia Episcopal School in Lynchburg.
See photo of winners and read the full story here.
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 Local Government Council announces public meetings
Region 2000 Bicycle Plan - May 25-27
Four meetings will be held to provide
information and allow citizens to comment on a draft Region 2000
Bicycle Plan. Choose the meeting that best works for you: - Tue., May 25, 5-7 p.m. - Lynchburg Public Library, Community Room
- Wed., May 26, 5-6:30 p.m. - Bedford
Central Library, Bedford, VA
- Thurs., May 27,
5-6:30 p.m. - Campbell County Main Library, Rustburg, VA
- Thurs., May 27, 5-6:30 p.m. - R. Robert
Jamerson Library, Appomattox, VA
Plan2035: Central Virginia Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) - June 2
A community workshop (third in a series) will be held on Wed., June 2, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. at the Lynchburg City Hall, Second Floor Training Room to discuss the Draft Long Range Transportation Plan, and how the region's future growth may unfold.
To read more details about these workshops, please click here.
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Career Center sees increased visitors in recent months
 As the local unemployment rate hovers around eight percent, dislocated workers are finding support at the Region 2000 Career Center located at the Plaza, 2323 Memorial Ave. Career counselors provide training and support to workers as they search for jobs. They also provide GED services and assist local employers with job recruitment duties.
In February alone, the Center assisted 259 residents which it says is an unusually high number for a month. Some of the unemployed workers are training for new careers through federal Workforce Investment Act funds.
Watch this WSET interview to hear a few success stories.
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CAER now certified as a "LabView Academy school" The Center for Advanced Engineering and Research (CAER) was recently certified as an official LabVIEW Academy school meaning it is now part of an exclusive group of academic institutions worldwide that teach LabVIEW as a course. LabVIEW is short for "Laboratory Virtual Instrumentation Engineering
Workbench." It is a graphical programming environment used by millions of
engineers and scientists to develop sophisticated measurement, test, and
control systems. Please contact Nick Soukhanov of the CAER for more information. |
| YPCV to host Big Brothers/Big Sisters event on May 29
 The Young Professionals of Central Virginia (YPCV) will host a fun event for kids in the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program on Saturday, May 29 at The Nature Zone in Lynchburg from 2 - 4 p.m.
YP volunteers are needed to mentor and connect with the kids at this event. Please contact Allison Camm or Abe Loper for more info.
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Services Authority steps up recycling education program
 The Region 2000 Services Authority has increased its efforts to educate residents and businesses on the benefits of reducing waste, reusing existing products or packaging, and recycling.
According to Diane Dodd, Recycling Program Manager (pictured), the recycling rate for Region 2000 is currently at 32.7 percent and she would like to see that number increase. She has visited more than 75 Lynchburg and Campbell County classrooms, 35 senior centers and 25 churches during the past year to provide accurate information and encourage recycling.
To request a presentation about recycling at your place of business or community venue, please contact Diane Dodd.
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Region 2000 exceeds U.S. Census rate
 The citizens of Region 2000 have answered the call to return
census forms at a rate of 77 percent. The national return rate on 2010
census questionnaires was 72 percent. Bedford County had the highest return rate in the region at 81 percent, followed by Campbell and Amherst counties at 79 percent.
See all Region 2000 localities' return rates here.
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Applicants being accepted for 39th Leadership Lynchburg program
The Lynchburg Regional Chamber of Commerce is seeking nominees/applicants for Leadership Lynchburg, a nine-month program that strengthens individuals for
personal, organization and community leadership. If
you're curious about Leadership Lynchburg, the Chamber will hold a preview session on Wed., May 26 at 5:30 p.m. RSVP by emailing info@lynchburgchamber.org.
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Business Sales Growth Seminar to be held in Bedford
 The Bedford County Office of Economic Development and the Virginia Department of Business Assistance (VDBA) will hold a Business Sales Growth Seminar at the Bedford Campus of CVCC, 1633 Venture Blvd., Bedford on Wed., June 9, 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Segments will include eVA registration and SWAM certification, eVA reports, doing business with the federal government, how to promote your business, and more.
Admission is free. Continental breakfast provided.
Register at www.vastartup.org or call the VDBA at (804) 371-8258.
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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. Please send comments to tblido@region2000.org.
Traci Blido
Program Mgr./Communication Officer
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www.region2000.org
Follow us on Twitter @VARegion2000 or join Virginia's Region 2000 on LinkedIn or Facebook!
Contact us by phone at (434) 845-2000. |
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