Yesterday, DRS Technologies announced it would relocate its corporate headquarters from New Jersey to Arlington County, Va. The company will expand its Virginia presence to more than 100 employees, bringing a capital investment in excess of $10 million to the region.

The defense technology leader is a subsidiary of Italian conglomerate Finmeccanica S.p.A., a top ten global defense and aerospace leader. DRS Technologies develops a wide range of mission-critical systems for homeland security and military needs.

The Governor met with company officials at the Farnborough International Air Show in summer 2010.

Virginia was chosen for the company’s new headquarters location due to its proximity to key customers in the D.C. area, as well as the company’s positive experience with Virginia’s pro-business regulatory environment and tech-savvy workforce. Virginia has the highest concentration of high-tech workers according to Cyberstates 2011.

To learn why major defense companies such as DRS Technologies, Northrop Grumman, ITT Exelis and ATK have all recently selected the Commonwealth for their headquarters location, click here.

L-3 Communications spin-off Engility Corp. announced yesterday that it would establish its new corporate headquarters in Fairfax County, Va. The project, a positive result of the Governor’s recent marketing mission to New York and Canada, will bring 50 new jobs and a $6.5 million investment to Northern Virginia.

With more than $2 billion in sales and 9,200 employees worldwide, Engility Corp. is a leading professional services firm providing systems engineering and technical assistance support services to numerous government agencies, including the Department of Defense. Virginia’s proximity to the company’s key markets and customers was a deciding factor for this headquarters location.

L-3 Communications’ existing presence in the Commonwealth and positive experience with Virginia’s highly-skilled workforce and pro-business tax structure led Engility to choose Virginia over its competition in Maryland.

As part of the professional services industry, Engility’s new headquarters location builds upon the success Virginia has shown in the sector. Professional services was the Commonwealth’s top sector for job creation in 2011, announcing 12,769 new jobs. With human capital as the major input, the sector’s 108 percent growth over the last year illustrates the driving force of Virginia’s world-class workforce.

To learn more why companies continue to select the Commonwealth for their headquarters locations, click here.

New industry study Broadband at the Speed of Light details how three communities, including Bristol, Va., took matters into their own hands to develop some of the top broadband networks in the country.

Published by the Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR) and the Benton Foundation, the study details a growing trend — rather than relying on the slower pace of private sector telecommunications expansion, community leaders are successfully designing and implementing their own public broadband networks.

Bristol is touted as one of the first municipalities in the nation to build a citywide Fiber-To-The-Home (FTTH) network that offers telephone, cable television and Internet broadband access. The local power utility, Bristol Virginia Utilities, launched its fiber optic network in 2003 under the name OptiNet.

Study author Christopher Mitchell noted that Bristol’s residents have “faster and lower cost access to the Internet than anyone in San Francisco, Seattle or any other major city.”

With a take rate above 70 percent, OptiNet has since expanded outside of Bristol to nearby businesses and industrial parks, helping to create hundreds of jobs for Virginians. Named the 2009 Community Broadband Fiber Network of the Year by the National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisers, the network has also been praised in The Economist and in the FCC’s National Broadband Plan for America.

OptiNet is not the only technology investment Southern Virginia has seen. Several years ago the Mid-Atlantic Broadband Cooperative established an 800 mile open-access, fiber-optic broadband network, attracting Gigaparks and technology companies to the former tobacco region.

High-speed broadband infrastructure has become an increasingly important component to business expansion decisions, allowing Virginia to remain competitive on a global level. The expansions of companies such as Microsoft, Northrop Grumman, CGI and Alpha Natural Resources in the region are due in part to the availability of a high-speed network.

To learn more about Virginia’s strength as a technology leader and why companies continue to locate in the Top State for Business, click here.

Earlier this week, Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling joined McKesson officials to celebrate the grand opening of the company’s new medical distribution center in Caroline County. Initially announced in August 2010, the new, state-of-the-art distribution center will allow McKesson to better serve its domestic and international customers, bringing 150 new jobs and a $50 million investment to Virginia.

Ranked 15th on the Fortune 500, McKesson is the largest pharmaceutical wholesaler in North America, distributing one-third of all medicines used each day. McKesson’s selection of Virginia over Maryland and Pennsylvania confirms the Commonwealth’s strong advantages for companies vested in global logistics.

The new distribution center will enhance McKesson’s total supply chain efficiency as well as extend the company’s footprint in Virginia. Building off the McKesson Medical Surgical corporate office in Richmond, this new distribution center will bring the company’s employee base in Virginia to more than 600.

Virginia offers several advantages for distribution centers, including easy rail access, six major highways, one of the largest container ports on the East Coast, and the third largest state-maintained transportation network in the country.

To learn more about why the nation’s leading distributors are locating in Virginia, click here.

In its fifth edition of Rich States, Poor States the American Legislative Exchange Council rated Virginia in the top three for its 2012 Economic Outlook Ranking. This forward-looking ranking comprises 15 equally weighted state policy variables, including personal and corporate tax rates, as well as worker’s compensation costs, right-to-work status and even the quality of the state legislature.

As the highest ranked state in the region, Virginia definitively outshined its competition. With a corporate tax rate of six percent that remains unchanged since 1972, a right-to-work regulatory environment, and an unemployment tax burden that is 32 percent lower than the national average, it is easy to see why this is the second consecutive year the Commonwealth has made the top three in this study.

Virginia’s pro-growth economic policies offer companies long-term incentives to invest in the Commonwealth. For example, Virginia was able to successfully compete against nearby Maryland on a number of recent headquarters relocation announcements, including Northrop Grumman, ITT Exelis, Bechtel Corp. (divisional headquarters), Acentia and Alpha Natural Resources.

To learn why Virginia is consistently ranked America’s Top State for Business click here.

Virginia professors represented more than 10% of The Princeton Review's inaugural Best 300 Professors list. Teaming up with RateMyProfessors.com, the organizations reviewed data on more than 42,000 professors to create their first ranking of America’s top undergraduate professors.

The Best 300 Professors list includes professors from five Virginia schools:  University of Mary Washington, James Madison University, Sweet Briar College, University of Richmond and the College of William & Mary. A broad range of departments was represented, including computer science, mathematics, economics, chemistry, biology, accounting, political science, english and psychology, among others.

The ranking was based on survey data from college students, using both quantitative and qualitative statistics to evaluate factors such as the student’s overall experience in the classroom, the professor’s teaching ability and the professor’s accessibility.

Virginia’s strong performance on The Best 300 Professors list is yet another validation of the Commonwealth’s excellent higher education system. Virginia’s colleges and universities have achieved national recognition on a number of the prestigious U.S. News and World Report college rankings.

Last year, Virginia’s colleges and universities awarded 133,603 degrees ranging from associate through doctorate levels. With more than 500,000 students currently enrolled in more than 100 in-state institutions, Virginia’s strong pipeline of skilled workers is ready to meet the needs of businesses expanding across the Commonwealth. 

To learn more about Virginia’s outstanding education system and workforce training programs, click here.

Richmond, Va., was recently ranked No. 3 on Gallup’s Job Creation Index. Comparing the 50 largest metro areas across the U.S., the index looks at net job creation — contrasting percentage of companies hiring against companies letting employees go.

What makes this ranking unique is that it reflects the perception of the local workforce regarding job creation in their city. Gallup performed a survey over calendar year 2011, interviewing employees in each metro area about whether their employers were expanding or downsizing.

Thirty-six percent of Richmond’s workforce stated that their employer was expanding while only 14 percent said their company was decreasing its workforce, yielding a net job creation index score of 22.

Richmond’s No. 3 ranking illustrates the positive job creation momentum in Virginia, and the workforce survey correlates with actual results. Governor McDonnell recently announced that January’s seasonally adjusted unemployment in Virginia fell to 5.8 percent, a three-year low.

Coming shortly after Virginia was named the 2012 Best State to Make a Living by MoneyRates.com, Gallup’s Job Creation ranking illustrates the high quality of life and career opportunities employees find in Virginia, as well as why the Commonwealth is able to attract a world-class workforce. New and established companies alike continually praise the skill and productivity of Virginia’s workforce.

To learn more about Virginia’s stellar employee base and why the Commonwealth is continually ranked America’s Top State for Business, click here.

Businesses and residents in Southwestern Virginia will soon enjoy faster, more consistent wireless network access. Over the next three years, The Virginia Coalfield Coalition will partner with Verizon Wireless to install the network that will reach 95,000 households and 2,600 businesses in seven counties.

The Virginia Tobacco Commission committed $7.5 million in grants to implement the Fourth Generation Long Term Evolution (4G LTE) wireless network. The 4G LTE network is the most advanced technology currently available and is up to 10 times faster than 3G service, according to Verizon. The project will be completed in three phases, upgrading many existing towers and building at least 11 new towers in 2013-2014. Officials expect the first towers to be operational as soon as October 2012. 

This investment will improve cellular phone service and also bring high-speed internet access to new areas, making Southwestern Virginia an even more appealing location for all businesses, particularly the high-tech industry. Global leaders such as Northrop Grumman, CGI and AT&T have all chosen to locate operations in the region. Southwestern Virginia also offers tech businesses access to high-speed broadband networks, a skilled workforce with tech-tailored training programs and low operational costs.

These easily accessible resources mirror a statewide trend, making Virginia an even more attractive place to do business. With the highest concentration of high-tech workers according to Cyberstates 2011, the Commonwealth has the workforce to support its expanding tech industry.

To learn why leading technology companies have invested more than $9 billion over the last ten years to grow their operations in Virginia, click here.

MeadWestvaco Corporation (MWV) recently opened its state-of-the-art pilot plant in Henrico County, Va., last week. The plant is part of MWV’s Center for Packaging Innovation, which the company moved to its corporate headquarters in Richmond, Va., from Raleigh, N.C. in 2010.

MWV’s Center for Packaging Innovation develops and tests new products and technologies as part of the company’s effort to find creative packaging solutions for customers across the globe. The 48,000-square-foot plant will allow the company to increase its pre-commercialization product testing. 

With five new labs MWV’s capabilities include wood fiber development, polymer compounding, metallurgy and corrosion analysis, coatings and materials testing, form/fill/seal machines, die-cutting, distribution and supply chain testing, equipment prototyping, injection molding and multi-layer extrusion and lamination, to name just a few.

The pilot plant is the latest in a series of investments this Fortune 500 company has made in the Commonwealth. MWV invested $80 million to move its corporate headquarters from Connecticut to Richmond, Va., in 2006, creating 400 new jobs. The company also announced an investment of $285 million in June 2011 to construct a new, state-of-the-art biomass boiler at its Covington Mill in Alleghany County, Va.  MWV has been a Covington employer since 1899.

These investments illustrate MWV’s confidence in Virginia’s talent and infrastructure to support innovative projects across the Commonwealth. According to MWV Chairman and CEO John A. Luke, Jr., “Virginia is not only our corporate home; it is a major base of operations and gateway for our business around the world.”

To learn why companies continue to invest in the Commonwealth and locate their headquarters in Virginia’s pro-business environment, click here.

Site Selection Magazine awarded Virginia a Top 5 ranking with its annual Governor’s Cup for new and expanded facilities. Virginia’s 273 new projects and expansions showed an increase of 44 percent over 2010, allowing the Commonwealth to climb from 10th place last year to 5th place this year.

To be included in the rankings, new facilities and expansions had to meet at least one of the following criteria: a minimum investment of $1 million, creation of at least 50 jobs and the addition of at least 20,000 square feet of new floor space.

Northern Virginia’s Arlington/Alexandria area received a No. 8 ranking for Top Metros with populations over one million. For metro areas with a population less than 200,000 three Virginia regions made the top 10 list. The Blacksburg/Christiansburg/Radford region was rated No. 4 and Charlottesville and Danville were both rated No. 8.

Staunton/Waynesboro, Va., received a 13th place ranking in the Top Micropolitan category. Micropolitans are defined as rural areas with a population of less than 50,000.

Staunton has been in the press recently when Forbes.com picked up the publication “How to Radically Revitalize America: A Micropolitan Manifesto.” Written and photographed by Staunton business owners, the publication describes how entrepreneurs are choosing to locate their businesses in Staunton, Va., for the rich quality of life the area offers.

Virginia’s pro-business operating environment, highly skilled workforce, leading R&D centers, premier logistics network and strong quality of life are just some of the reasons Virginia continues to lead with top accolades from CNBC, Forbes.com, Pollina Corporate Real Estate and Site Selection Magazine.

To learn why Virginia is the best state for business and offers the right mix of resources to support your business, click here.

Volvo Trucks’ New River Valley plant in Dublin, Va., is the first U.S. facility certified to the ISO 50001 standards and the first Superior Energy Performance (SEP)-certified facility to use the ISO 50001 as its energy management standard.

The New River Valley plant achieved both certifications by participating in pilot programs supported by the U.S. Department of Defense and offered through the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the ASQ National Accreditation Board (ANAB). The Virginia plant was SEP certified at the highest level, platinum, due to its 15 percent improvement in energy performance over a three-year period.

These energy efficiency certifications not only take the Virginia plant closer to becoming carbon neutral, they also allow the company to be more competitive at a global level.

Company management credits its skilled Virginia workforce for coming up with many of the energy-saving ideas. “These certifications required a high degree of cooperation — a total plant effort. Employees at all levels have been actively engaged throughout our entire energy reduction journey,” said Lars Blomberg, Volvo Trucks vice president.

The 1.6 million-square-foot plant at New River Valley is a marquee establishment in Southwestern Virginia, employing more than 2,000 Virginians. The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with New River Economic Development Alliance and Pulaski County in 1999 on the company’s $148 million expansion of the plant, which created 1,277 new jobs. 

Virginia is home to 170 automotive companies and Volvo Trucks’ New River Valley plant is a prime example of the innovation Virginia companies are bringing to the industry. With a pro-business operating environment, skilled workforce and R&D partnerships with universities, such as the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute and the National Tire Research Center, the Commonwealth has the infrastructure to support the future growth of this industry.

To learn more about what Virginia can offer automotive companies click here.

As many of you are already aware, the 2015 UCI Road World Championship cycling event is taking place in Richmond this week.

Excitement has built around the event, which is returning to the U.S. for the first time in nearly 30 years. It is a huge coup for Richmond to have been selected as the host city and furthers its reputation as a global destination. The championships are held annually in an international city chosen by the Union Cycliste Internationale through a competitive bidding process.

With 450,000 spectators expected to watch the race onsite and a TV audience in the hundreds of millions, this is certainly a tremendous opportunity to represent Virginia on the world stage. 

The Virginia Tourism Corp. has partnered with Richmond 2015, the organizer of the nine-day event, and will air 500 30-second commercials across U.S. domestic television broadcasts during the event. As part of Virginia's sponsorship, VEDP received a portion of these spots and produced a new commercial tailored to the UCI event that is airing on NBC Sports Network during the race this week.

VEDP worked with Richmond companies Elevation Advertising to create the ad and The Branching to produce it. Overcoast developed the original background track, incorporating the cycling sounds.

Richmond is fortunate to have a strong cycling culture and was able to draw upon local talent to film the ad. We’re grateful to Carytown Bicycle Company, who provided items for the shoot, and local cyclist John Eiler, who rides for Team Carytown Bicycle Company and appears in the commercial.

Sports commentators have already remarked on the beauty of the city and the diverse and challenging courses that Richmond offers to competitors.

To learn why Virginia is a great place tstyle="font-size: small;">May’s seasonally adjusted unemployment numbers confirm Virginia’s positive story. Holding steady at 5.6 percent, the jobless number is well below the national average and remains the lowest rate in three years.

To learn why Virginia continues to receive top rankings for its pro-business environment, skilled workforce and high quality of life, click here.

Last week, Carmeuse Lime & Stone announced it will expand its Frederick County limestone mining and quarrying operation through a $45 million investment, creating 25 new jobs.

The investment will be used to purchase new machinery and equipment, including a new modern kiln, to meet increased demand for the company’s products. With new EPA regulations around the production of “clean coal,” demand for lime products has increased due to lime’s ability to absorb sulfur and reduce emissions.

With a Belgium parent company and 90 facilities across the globe, the largest producer of lime and limestone products in North America certainly had its pick of locations. Carmeuse Lime & Stone chose Virginia not once, but five times, through its multiple operations across the Commonwealth. 

Carmeuse Lime & Stone has found success in Frederick County since 1959. The company’s decision to grow this location was based upon the region’s highly skilled workforce, wealth of natural resources, and supporting infrastructure.

With trucking as the company’s main distribution channel, Virginia’s superior logistics network helped seal the deal. The Frederick County location offers convenient access to I-81, I-70 and the I-66 connection to I-95, allowing the company to easily reach Eastern, Midwestern and Canadian markets.

In addition, the Virginia Inland Port is only a few miles away, allowing the company to access international markets through the world-class Port of Virginia.

To learn why Virginia is consistently ranked America’s Top State for Business, and why manufacturing companies keep coming back to the Commonwealth, click here.

Virginia was ranked the No. 7 Friendliest State by more than 6,000 small businesses surveyed by Thumbtack.com and the Kauffman Foundation in the recently published Thumbtack.com Small Business Survey.

Virginia was in the top ten nationwide in the following categories: lowest cost to hire a new employee, business-friendly labor and hiring regulations, strong training programs, and networking events geared towards small businesses.

The Commonwealth was also the No. 1 state in the Mid-Atlantic region in the categories of overall small business friendliness, lowest cost of hiring a new employee, and ease of starting a small business.

Small businesses and entrepreneurs are at the heart of economic growth, providing 65 percent of net new jobs nationwide between 1993 and 2009, according to the Thumbtack.com Small Business Survey.

Governor McDonnell’s recent announcement of new legislature to encourage investment in small business further illustrates Virginia’s intent to attract and assist small businesses. Senate Bill 344 and House Bill 585 created the Small Business Investment Grant Fund which offers a grant equal to 10 percent of the qualified investment.

To learn why Virginia is a great place to start a business and read more about the extensive resources available to entrepreneurs, click here.

As promised, VEDP is delving into UBED (University-Based Economic Development) in our institutions of higher learning across the Commonwealth.

“William & Mary (W&M) is looking at how to grow what’s already in Virginia, as well as to help bring companies into the Commonwealth,” said Leonard Sledge, William & Mary’s Director of Economic Development.

To that end, W&M’s Technology and Business Center has partnered with the county to run the James City County Business & Technology Incubator (JCC-BTI). The incubator provides support and advisory services to help accelerate the growth of younger companies. This support includes help setting goals and milestones, general business advice, organizational guidance, networking events, assistance locating financing and other service providers, and the use of a professional business facility.

The incubator also liaises with W&M’s Mason School of Business and Entrepreneurship Center. Business school professors are assigned to each incubator company to help determine strategy. Business school students are also engaged in problem-solving initiatives for incubator companies through project and classroom exercises.

Launched in January 2007, the JCC-BTI has worked with 10 companies, graduating three to date. One such graduate is MODU System, a Malaysian manufacturer of conveyor belt systems. The incubator helped the company enter the U.S. market, advising management on how to position the product and locate resellers in the U.S.

Another success story is Breathe Healthy, a manufacturer of antimicrobial face masks with superior comfort and filtering abilities. JCC-BTI helped the veteran-owned company locate key markets for its product, as well as launch international sales.

According to William Bean, Director of W&M’s Technology Business Center, “We’re looking for companies that are passionate and serious about the growth of their business. Our incubator clients span a variety of industries, but the one thing they have in common is a genuine excitement to use the services of our incubator for accelerating growth.”

To learn more about W&M’s Office of Economic Development or the James City County Business & Technology Incubator, click on the highlighted links.

here.

Image courtesy of Thumbtack.com

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Classes Commence at the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center’s IT Academy

Thursday, 13 August 2015 13:32 by Info@YesVirginia.org

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Classes start this Monday, August 17, at the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center’s IT Academy. The IT Academy offers a fast track for students to gain the knowledge and credentials to quickly obtain employment in the technology sector...

Classes start this Monday, August 17, at the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center’s IT Academy.

The IT Academy offers a fast track for students to gain the knowledge and credentials to quickly obtain employment in the technology sector.

Seventeen students are enrolled in the first cohort, with classes scheduled Monday – Thursday evenings over a four month period. Afterwards, students can test for the Computing Technology Industry Association A+, Network+ and Server+ certifications. SVHEC is a member of the CompTIA Authorized Partner Program. 

Classes will take place in the newly renovated, 5,013-square-foot lab at SVHEC in South Boston, Va. The lab includes a data center, hardware repair center, computer-based classroom and conference area to closely approximate a real-world environment.

“We are seeing what I call a market correction in education with an increasing emphasis on students earning third-party credentials. The hands-on, intensive nature of the program allows students to quickly learn the skills they need to be successful in the workplace. Initiatives like the IT Academy are critical to closing the skills gap and preparing the region with skilled workers needed for jobs available right here, right now,” said Dr. Betty Adams, executive director of the SVHEC.

SVHEC and its partners initially designed the academy’s core curriculum around the three certifications and will develop advanced training based on needs and recommendations from major employers in the region. SVHEC worked closely with the Mid-Atlantic Broadband Cooperative, ATOS/Microsoft and HP to launch the academy.

The academy was announced in September 2014 after the Virginia Tobacco Indemnification & Community Revitalization Commission approved grant funding. Governor McAuliffe gave the keynote address at the ribbon-cutting ceremony this June.

To learn more about the program or sign up for the next cohort in June, visit http://www.svhec.org/ita.

The SVHEC IT Academy is another example of the cutting-edge training programs available across the Commonwealth. To learn how Virginia’s workforce can be the advantage for your business, click here.

Governor McAuliffe, Secretary Maurice Jones and SVHEC Executive Director Dr. Betty Adams join members of SVHEC and local officials at the IT Academy ribbon-cutting ceremony in June. Photo courtesy of SVHEC/Drew Morris.

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Tags:		Southern Virginia Higher Education Center, IT Academy, SVHEC, Computing Technology Industry Association, CompTIA Authorized Partner Program, South Boston, Virginia, data center, IT, technology, workforce development, IT training, VEDP
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VEDP’s Dan Gundersen to Speak at White House Forum on Economic Development

Wednesday, 29 July 2015 16:00 by Info@YesVirginia.org

Virginia Tech has developed a number of University-Based Economic Development (UBED) programs as part of its long-term strategy to help connect faculty and students with companies and communities...

Virginia Tech has developed a number of University-Based Economic Development (UBED) programs as part of its long-term strategy to help connect faculty and students with companies and communities. 

According to John Provo, Office of Economic Development Director, “The global network starts as soon as you walk out the door. We facilitate the sharing of Virginia Tech’s intellectual capital with the private sector to develop problem-solving solutions.”

One such group is VT-IDEA (Virginia Tech Intelligence and Defense Executive Alumni). Founded in January 2009, VT-IDEA is made up of alumni working in senior government and industry positions in the national security sector. The group’s mission is two-fold:  it serves as both a resource for national security professionals to better connect, and it helps Virginia Tech get even more plugged in to the national security space.

Through its efforts to build a faster pipeline from the research in Blacksburg to the cyber security needs in D.C., VT-IDEA has recently helped introduce two new ideas to industry insiders. The first is a data safeguarding device that can wipe tablets and cell phones clean, removing confidential information once the individual has left a secured area. The second technology foils radio signal eaves-droppers. The technology senses the intrusion and reconfigures the network to make it secure.

VT-IDEA not only helps spot and commercialize winning solutions; it also puts early stage entrepreneurs in touch with financing and venture capital sources. The group will be doing just that at its upcoming meeting “VT-IDEA Presents Innovation and Entrepreneurship at VTECH” on June 21 at the VT Research Center - Arlington.

To learn more about how the VT-IDEA group and Virginia Tech’s Office of Economic Development are building partnerships with the business community, click on the highlighted links.

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German Manufacturer McAirlaid’s Expands in Virginia

Wednesday, 30 May 2012 13:19 by Info@YesVirginia.org

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German manufacturer McAirlaid’s recently celebrated the addition of a 75,000-square-foot expansion to its existing U.S. headquarters in Rocky Mount, VA. Adding to the company’s 70,000-square-foot facility at Franklin County Commerce Center, the expansion will increase the company’s global capacity by 30 percent while creating 40 new jobs in the region...

German manufacturer McAirlaid’s recently celebrated the addition of a 75,000-square-foot expansion to its existing U.S. headquarters in Rocky Mount, Va. Adding to the company’s 70,000-square-foot facility at Franklin County Commerce Center, the expansion will increase the company’s global capacity by 30 percent while creating 40 new jobs in the region.

The expansion provides McAirlaid’s with the additional space to serve its customers in the hygiene, medical, food packaging, filtration and home décor spaces through its non-woven absorbency materials. It also allows the company to reduce imports of raw materials and rely more heavily on U.S. vendors, primarily on the East Coast.

McAirlaid’s first announced it would establish its U.S. headquarters in Virginia through an $85 million investment in 2006. In the words of CEO Alexander Maksimow, “Franklin County’s commitment to education through the public school system and job training programs, coupled with an existing workforce of highly motivated people with a strong work ethic, were key factors in McAirlaid’s site selection.”

Since opening its U.S. headquarters in Franklin County in March 2008, the company has received a warm welcome while experiencing the benefits of Virginia’s skilled workforce, education system and premier East Coast location. This additional investment allows McAirlaid’s to build on its success to date, illustrating the company’s commitment to grow in Franklin County.

To learn why companies continue to locate in Virginia due to the Commonwealth’s skilled workforce and excellent education system, click here.

Company and local officials joined Mary Rae Carter, Deputy Secretary of Commerce and Trade for Rural Economic Development, at McAirlaid’s ribbon-cutting ceremony.

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virginia, economic development, mcairlaid's, german manufacturing in virginia, site selection consultants, absorbency materials, RaesWear is another strong example of the innovation and creativity of Virginia entrepreneurs. To learn why the Commonwealth is a great location to grow a business, click here. Leigh Cockram, RaesWear owner, stands next to a display of her company’s pocketed athletic products at Mollie’s Originals in Martinsville, Va. Photo courtesy of Leigh Cockram. 64cc5fe8-5e15-4c0a-b3d6-3d79a38de70e|1|5.0|96d5b379-7e1d-4dac-a6ba-1e50db561b04 Tags:   RaesWear, athletic apparel, running gear, running shorts, pocketed running shorts, skorts, running tights, pouch pants, Leigh Cockram, The Launch Place, Mollie's Originals, Martinsville, entrepreneur, Virginia, VEDP Categories:   Actions:   E-mail | Permalink | Comments (0) | Comment RSS Wise, Virginia is Home to First FAA Approved Drone Delivery of Medical Supplies in the U.S. Friday, 17 July 2015 15:18 by Info@YesVirginia.org Tweet Share Today’s event, called Let’s Fly Wisely, is the first FAA approved delivery of medical supplies by drone in the U.S... Today’s event, called Let’s Fly Wisely, marked the first FAA approved delivery of medical supplies by drone in the U.S. This research mission was overseen by the Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership, one of only six groups across the U.S. that won FAA approval to conduct Unmanned Aerial System research at sites across Virginia, New Jersey and Maryland. MAPP is headquartered at Virginia Tech’s Institute of Critical Technology and Applied Sciences. The mission began when NASA Langley Research Center flew about twenty prescriptions from Tazewell County Airport to the Lonesome Pine Airport in Wise, Va., in an SR22 aircraft. The plane was operated remotely, but had a pilot on board for backup and safety purposes. The prescriptions were then transferred into smaller packages, flown in 10-pound drones provided by Australian company Flirtey Inc. and delivered to the Remote Area Medical tent at the Wise County Fairgrounds. Remote Area Medical has served the people of Wise County for more than 15 years. This project demonstrates one of the humanitarian outcomes of UAS technology could include delivery of medical supplies to underserved or remote areas. Flirtey Inc. Founder and CEO Matt Sweeney called this a “Kitty Hawk moment” for Wise County and the UAS industry. The success of this event and its location in the Commonwealth furthers Virginia’s leadership position in the aerospace industry. To learn why more than 260 aerospace companies have chosen to operate in Virginia, click here. Governor McAuliffe holds one of the first medical prescriptions delivered by drone in the U.S. at the Let’s Fly Wisely event in Wise, Va. Photo courtesy of Virginia Tech College of Engineering. 488742dd-c9b0-4b37-84c5-72422956a7d0|0|.0|96d5b379-7e1d-4dac-a6ba-1e50db561b04 Tags:   Let's Fly Wisely, Wise County, FAA approved, drones, UAS, UAV, Unmanned Aerial Systems, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership, MAAP, NASA Langley Research Center, Flirtey Inc., Remote Area Medical, aerospace, aerospace leader, Virginia, VEDP Categories:   Actions:   E-mail | Permalink | Comments (0) | Comment RSS Virginia’s Colleges and Universities Make Another Strong Showing on MONEY’s Best Colleges List Tuesday, 14 July 2015 17:16 by Info@YesVirginia.org Tweet Share Once again, Virginia’s higher education institutions made a strong showing on MONEY Magazine’s 2015 Best Colleges List... Once again, Virginia’s higher education institutions made a strong showing on MONEY Magazine’s 2015 Best Colleges List.  10 Virginia institutions made the Top 200 overall:  University of Virginia (No. 17), Washington and Lee University (No. 24), Virginia Military Institute (No. 48), Virginia Tech (also tied at No. 48), James Madison University (No. 59), College of William and Mary (No. 75), University of Richmond (No. 105), University of Mary Washington (No. 119), George Mason University (No. 127), and Hampden-Sydney College (No. 157). The Commonwealth had seven schools make the Top 50 Best Public Colleges list:  UVA was No. 4, Virginia Tech and VMI both tied for No. 15, JMU tied with another school for No. 19, College of William and Mary was in a three-way tie for No. 26, University of Mary Washington tied with another school for No. 42, and GMU rounded out the list in a three-way tie for No. 47. Virginia also had strong results in the Top 50 Best Liberal Arts Colleges list with four schools:  Washington and Lee was No. 4, VMI was No. 10, University of Richmond tied with another school for No. 26, and Hampden-Sydney College was No. 38.   Bridgewater College was counted among the Top 50 Most Affordable Private Colleges and Hampton University was included in the Top 50 Colleges That Add the Most Value list. The editors at MONEY Magazine only included the 736 schools with an above-median graduation rate from the list of 1,500 four-year colleges and universities in the U.S. The schools were then ranked on 21 factors falling into the three categories of quality of education, affordability and outcomes. Virginia’s world-class education system is currently serving more than 575,000 students who will provide a steady pipeline to support the Commonwealth’s current industry needs. To learn why Virginia’s higher education institutions continue to be highly ranked, click here. A view of The Rotunda at University of Virginia, ranked No. 4 on MONEY Magazine’s Top 50 Best Public Colleges list for 2015. Photo courtesy of Virginia Tourism Corp. 3c7cb574-75e2-4cfb-9aae-4a080478170a|0|.0|96d5b379-7e1d-4dac-a6ba-1e50db561b04 Tags:   Virginia, higher education, top colleges and universities, MONEY Magazine 2015 Best Colleges list, workforce training, workforce development, VEDP, UVA, Virginia Tech, Washington and Lee University, Virginia Military Institute, James Madison University, College of Williams and Mary, University of Richmond, University of Mary Washington, George Mason University, Hampden-Sydney College, Bridgewater College, Hampton University Categories:   Actions:   E-mail | Permalink | Comments (0) | Comment RSS University of Mary Washington’s Convergence Center Joins Learning and Technology Tuesday, 30 June 2015 16:39 by Info@YesVirginia.org Tweet Share The University of Mary Washington’s energetic new learning facility, the Information and Technology Convergence Center, was completed fall 2014... The University of Mary Washington’s energetic new learning facility, the Information and Technology Convergence Center, was completed fall 2014. This technology-rich, four-story building offers UMW students and faculty a “commons” space that includes a digital auditorium, 10 conference rooms, four high-tech classrooms, audio/video production space, and multiple collaboration, study and meeting spaces through an open design. It also houses UMW’s speaking and writing centers, along with a café. Visitors are greeted by a multi-story media wall in the atrium that uses laser phosphor display technology to showcase student work. The digital gallery on the third floor also features student artwork on interactive touchscreens. The Convergence Center houses a production studio with a 180 degree green screen, high definition cameras, teleprompters, a control room and an audio recording booth. The multimedia editing lab has five iMacs loaded with a full suite of A/V editing software so students obtain real-world experience. The center also holds a two-story digital auditorium that can seat 150 people for classes, lectures or performances. The auditorium has three screens and a full theatrical lighting system. It also opens up into a lobby and garden that can be used to host events holding up to 300 people. Sprinkled throughout the center are collaboration spaces and conference rooms that have conferencing capabilities, projectors and flat-panel displays. There is even an incubator classroom that allows professors to experiment with the latest technology. The modular design is complemented by high definition projectors, cameras, flat screen displays and wireless microphones. UMW’s Convergence Center has become a central gathering place for students to learn and engage with their schoolwork in an interactive, high-tech environment. It is another example of the state-of-the-art technology Virginia’s higher education institutions are using to train the 21st century workforce. To learn more about the Commonwealth’s premier educational offerings, click here. VEDP gets a tour of the digital auditorium at UMW’s Information and Technology Convergence Center. 99fcb76a-399c-49fe-8001-2f3c7fae72d5|0|.0|96d5b379-7e1d-4dac-a6ba-1e50db561b04 Tags:   VEDP, Virginia, University of Mary Washington, UMW, Information and Technology Convergence Center, digital auditorium, interactive classroom, Virginia higher education Categories:   Actions:   E-mail | Permalink | Comments (0) | Comment RSS Virginia Western Community College Offers Cutting-Edge Mechatronics Training Monday, 22 June 2015 15:07 by Info@YesVirginia.org Tweet Share Mechatronics is a growing interdisciplinary field that incorporates mechanical and electrical engineering with computer science and looks at industrial operations from a system-wide perspective... Mechatronics is a growing interdisciplinary field that incorporates mechanical and electrical engineering with computer science and looks at industrial operations from a system-wide perspective. Students in this field become well-versed in electro-mechanics, computers, digital control systems, robotics and mechanical CAD, and go on to pursue careers in the automotive, aerospace, defense, consumer and manufacturing industries. Virginia Western Community College offers three programs in mechatronics. First, students can earn a certificate that will allow them to take Level 1 of the Siemens Mechatronic Systems Certification Program. Second, students earning a two-year associate degree can sit for Level 2 of the Siemens certification. And, third, students completing the two-year program who go on to a university and earn a four-year degree can sit for Level 3 of the Siemens certification. The Siemens Mechatronic Systems Certification is an industry standard with worldwide recognition allowing students to illustrate to employers that they are qualified and ready to work as technicians. The college began offering mechatronics courses in 2008, and now has 100 students in the program. VWCC is one of only 35 colleges in the world that offers a certified Siemens Mechatronics program. VWCC is actively engaged with high school students in the area. Through The Regional Academy for Advanced Technology it offers both engineering and mechatronics training for high school juniors and seniors interested in a STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) career. Currently, about 250 students are enrolled in The Regional Academy. VWCC maintains an active dialogue with companies in the Roanoke Valley to ensure its training closely aligns with industry requirements. They have held two annual manufacturing summits where faculty meet with employers in the area to better understand their needs. Regional employers have also made commitments to mentor students and donate lab equipment. “The goal of the mechatronics program at Virginia Western is to prepare students with globally, in-demand skills through local engagement to be well-educated, work-ready engineering technicians,” said Professor Dan Horine, Mechatronics Program Head at VWCC. VWCC is a great example of the cutting-edge STEM education available through Virginia’s 23-member community college system. To learn how Virginia’s higher education institutions are preparing the workforce of tomorrow, click here. VWCC mechatronics students commission the FESTO Modular Production System at one of the labs in the School of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. b17b8cb5-9e1e-42dd-a4ce-8bc0d62adc9a|0|.0|96d5b379-7e1d-4dac-a6ba-1e50db561b04 Tags:   Virginia, VWCC, Virginia Western Community College, Mechatronics, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, Siemens Mechatronic Systems Certification Program, The Regional Academy for Advanced Technology, Roanoke, STEM, Dan Horine, FESTO modular production system, VEDP Categories:   Actions:   E-mail | Permalink | Comments (0) | Comment RSS << Older posts Newer posts >> Newer posts 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 ... 27 28 Older posts Search Search Blog Homepage Return to blog homepage Subscribe Subscribe to RSS Feed About VEDP The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP), a state authority created by the Virginia General Assembly to better serve those seeking a prime business location and increased trade opportunities, provides confidential site selection and international trade services. VEDP's mission: To enhance the quality of life and raise the standard of living for all Virginians, in collaboration with Virginia communities, through aggressive business recruitment, expansion assistance, and trade development, thereby expanding the tax base and creating higher-income employment opportunities. Archive 2009 May (1) June (4) July (1) August (3) September (1) October (1) 2010 December (1) 2011 January (1) April (1) May (2) June (3) July (1) August (4) September (4) October (4) November (8) December (6) 2012 January (5) February (10) March (7) April (6) May (10) June (11) July (8) August (11) September (8) October (8) November (7) December (8) 2013 January (5) February (7) March (7) April (5) May (5) June (5) July (6) August (4) September (6) October (4) November (5) December (4) 2014 January (4) February (4) March (6) April (2) May (2) June (4) July (7) August (4) September (4) October (4) November (3) December (3) 2015 January (2) February (4) March (2) April (4) May (6) June (2) July (4) August (3) September (2) October (2) November (1) December (2) 2016 February (4) April (1) May (4) June (2) August (1) September (1) December (1) 2017 January (1) February (1) March (1) © Copyright 2018 Stay Connected 901 East Byrd Street P.O. Box 798 Richmond, VA 23218-0798 USA Get Directions 804.545.5600 (General) 804.545.5806 (Media) info@yesvirginia.org Facebook Like Twitter Follow LinkedIn Follow RSS Subscribe Asset Rich Fast Facts Workforce Education Research and Development Location and Infrastructure Quality of Life Pro-Business Robust Economy Competitive Operating Costs Stable Taxes Incentives Global Focus Gateway for Global Enterprise International Investment International Company Directory FAQ ExportVA.org Key Industries Food Processing Aerospace Plastics & Advanced Materials Data Centers IT Life Sciences Automotive Energy Distribution Corporate HQ Tools & Resources Site Selection Tools Announcement Database Closing Database Maps and GIS Data Helpful Links Library Higher Education Business Resources First Deep Space Mission Launches from Virginia’s Wallops Flight Facility Monday, 9 September 2013 17:03 by Info@YesVirginia.org Tweet Share At approximately 11:27 p.m. on Friday, September 6, NASA, Orbital Sciences and the Virginia Space Flight Authority launched the LADEE (Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer) Mission from Virginia’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) Pad OB at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility on Virginia’s Eastern Shore... At approximately 11:27 p.m. on Friday, September 6, NASA, Orbital Sciences and the Virginia Space Flight Authority launched the LADEE (Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer) Mission from Virginia’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) Pad OB at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. The LADEE Mission accomplishes a number of firsts—it is the first deep space mission to launch from the Wallops Flight Facility, as well as the first payload to launch on the U.S. Air Force’s Minotaur V rocket. The Minotaur V launch vehicle was built by Virginia company Orbital Sciences.  The LADEE spacecraft was constructed using Modular Common Spacecraft Bus Architecture, representing a departure from custom design towards assembly production and multi-use design in order to reduce costs. Upon completing three phasing orbits around the earth, the LADEE spacecraft will enter the moon’s orbit through a three-minute Lunar Orbit Insertion maneuver that involves firing the spacecraft’s onboard propellant for approximately three minutes. After being captured by the moon’s gravitational field, LADEE will orbit around the moon for a 100-day science phase to collect data and study the lunar atmosphere. The moon’s atmosphere is classified as a surface boundary exosphere, a thin layer that is theorized to be the most common type of atmosphere in the universe. Scientists hope to determine the density, composition and variability of the moon’s atmosphere, as well as learn more about the lunar dust environment. Knowledge gained through this mission can be extrapolated to the atmosphere of other planets, including Earth. With another Antares mission expected to launch in mid-September from the MARS facility, Virginia remains at the forefront of U.S. space exploration. MARS is one of only four commercial sites authorized by the FAA for orbital space launches, and offers an ideal trajectory for earth orbit insertion. To learn more about Virginia’s burgeoning aerospace industry, click here. The LADEE Mission launches from Virginia’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility on September 6. Photo courtesy of NASA/Carla Cioffi. 25a95906-049f-4165-94a7-f647c11050a7|0|.0|96d5b379-7e1d-4dac-a6ba-1e50db561b04 Tags:   virginia, vedp, site selection, economic development, space exploration, ladee, nasa wallops flight facility, mars, virginia space flight authority, minotaur v Categories:   Actions:   E-mail | Permalink | Comments (0) | Comment RSS Service Center Metals Celebrates 10-year Anniversary and Expansion Thursday, 5 September 2013 12:46 by Info@YesVirginia.org Tweet Share Service Center Metals recently celebrated 10 years of doing business in Prince George County, Va. The ceremony, attended by Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling, included a ground-breaking celebration for a second plant at the SouthPoint Business Park location... Service Center Metals recently celebrated 10 years of doing business in Prince George County, Va. The ceremony, attended by Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling, included a ground-breaking celebration for a second plant at the SouthPoint Business Park location. Service Center Metals was founded in 2002 by three former Reynolds Metals executives to produce aluminum extruded products. As its name implies, Service Center Metals has chosen to focus exclusively on a unique niche—service center customers.  After weathering the ups and downs of the last 10 years, the company now boasts more than 120 employees and $145 million in revenue. Since its opening, Service Center Metals has produced more than 635 million pounds of extrusions. The company’s expansion includes a compact remelt plant that will be located adjacent to its extrusion plant. Currently, Service Center Metals must ship its aluminum scrap to and from a third-party provider to be remelted. Bringing this process in-house will allow the company to better recycle its scrap materials, as well as serve its customers more quickly and in an environmentally-friendly way. As a home-grown manufacturing company, Service Center Metals is a strong example of the success entrepreneurs experience when they start a business in the Commonwealth. To learn more about Virginia’s innovative business environment, click here. Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling (left center) joins company and local officials at the Service Center Metals ground-breaking ceremony in Prince George County, Va. f03ac9d0-429d-4400-b4fb-710055528d58|0|.0|96d5b379-7e1d-4dac-a6ba-1e50db561b04 Tags:   virginia, vedp, site selection, economic development, service center metals, reynolds metals, aluminum extruded, compact remelt plant Categories:   Actions:   E-mail | Permalink | Comments (0) | Comment RSS 2013 ALEC-Laffer State Economic Competitiveness Index Ranks Virginia No. 5 in Economic Outlook Wednesday, 21 August 2013 16:23 by Info@YesVirginia.org Tweet Share In its sixth edition of Rich States, Poor States, the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) recognized Virginia at No. 5 in its 2013 Economic Outlook ranking... In its sixth edition of Rich States, Poor States, the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) recognized Virginia at No. 5 in its 2013 Economic Outlook ranking. The Economic Outlook category measures how a state is expected to perform in the future based on 15 policy areas controlled at the state level. The study points out the direct correlation between policy decisions and a state’s level of economic competitiveness. Virginia has historically performed strongly in the Economic Outlook category—in five out of the last six years the Commonwealth has scored in the top five. Virginia was the only state in the mid-Atlantic to break the top 10. Rich State, Poor States highlights some of Virginia’s pro-growth policies that enabled it to achieve a top ranking. The Commonwealth’s pro-growth tax policies, fairness of its legal system, low workers’ compensation costs and right-to-work status were among the reasons Virginia’s economic outlook remains strong. In addition, Virginia offers companies a corporate tax rate of six percent that remains unchanged since 1972, electricity costs below the national average, and the second lowest unemployment insurance tax rate in the nation. Virginia has been providing companies with the right location and resources to succeed for more than 400 years. To learn why the Commonwealth continues to receive top accolades, click here. 992582e4-a1d7-4355-8e86-40d6355545ee|0|.0|96d5b379-7e1d-4dac-a6ba-1e50db561b04 Tags:   virginia, vedp, site selection, economic development, alec, rich states poor states, american legislative exchange council, economic outlook, 2013 alec-laffer state economic competitiveness index Categories:   Actions:   E-mail | Permalink | Comments (0) | Comment RSS VEDP Launches ‘Going Global’ Initiative for Defense Companies Tuesday, 13 August 2013 14:45 by Info@YesVirginia.org Tweet Share Today, VEDP announced the launch of its ‘Going Global’ initiative as part of its strategy to help Virginia defense companies mitigate the effects of sequestration... Today, VEDP announced the launch of its ‘Going Global’ initiative as part of its strategy to help Virginia defense companies mitigate the effects of sequestration. Sequestration is the name for the automatic federal spending cuts that began on March 1 as part of the Budget Control Act of 2011, enacted by Congress to resolve the U.S. debt-ceiling crisis. The impact of Sequestration has been less severe than expected—Department of Defense contracts decreased from $56.9 billion in FY2011 to $51.5 billion in FY2012. However, the Commonwealth is the top state for DoD contracts, raising concerns that lost contracts could results in lower revenues for Virginia companies unless they can find new customers. As part of its sequestration mitigation strategy, VEDP is working with Virginia defense companies to help them find those new customers overseas. The receipt of nearly $2 million in federal and state funds will allow VEDP to augment some of its most successful programs already underway within the International Trade division.  For example, defense companies will be able to utilize VEDP’s Global Network team of in-country consultants from more than 55 countries. Market research services include compiling background information, identifying potential distributors, conducting due diligence, arranging matchmaking appointments with potential partners and customers, assessing competition, and helping companies understand the regulatory environment.   VEDP will be able to assist companies with export compliance. Virginia companies participating in this program will receive an export compliance analysis, including guidance on completing a Commodities Jurisdiction Analysis and submitting the required paperwork to the Department of State in compliance with International Traffic in Arms Regulations. The grant will also allow companies to enhance their marketing and digital presence to target foreign markets through website translation and search engine optimization. VEDP recently released an export guide for defense companies titled Export Opportunities for Virginia’s Defense Industry. The guide outlines regulations, processes and strategies specific to the defense industry, and contains marketing and sales best practices for both new and experienced exporters.  VEDP’s International Trade division offers a wide variety of programs to help Virginia companies succeed in the global marketplace. To learn more, click here. 1d555412-426b-4d66-a882-b7bc1a0512a5|0|.0|96d5b379-7e1d-4dac-a6ba-1e50db561b04 Tags:   virginia, vedp, site selection, economic development, going global, vedp international trade, sequestration, budget control act of 2011, department of defense, dod, dod, global netowrk, international traffic in arms regulations, commodities jurisdiction analysis, export guide for defense companies, export opportunities for virginia's defense industry Categories:   Actions:   E-mail | Permalink | Comments (0) | Comment RSS Virginia Receives Numerous Top Rankings from Business Facilities Magazine Friday, 9 August 2013 10:35 by Info@YesVirginia.org Tweet Share Once again, Virginia received a number of top rankings in Business Facilities’ 2013 State Rankings Report. The Commonwealth was ranked No. 5 for Best Business Climate and No. 8 for Economic Growth Potential... Once again, Virginia received a number of top rankings in Business Facilities’ 2013 State Rankings Report. The Commonwealth was ranked No. 5 for Best Business Climate and No. 8 for Economic Growth Potential. The strength of Virginia’s workforce and education system was recognized through a No. 8 ranking for Best Education Climate and a No. 9 in the Employment Leaders category. A number of Virginia’s key industries were also touted by the study. Virginia was ranked No. 4 in the Data Center category. Data center investment has grown at a rapid pace in the Commonwealth due to Virginia’s plentiful high-tech workforce, substantial broadband infrastructure, and low-cost environment. In 2012, Virginia saw more than $1 billion in investment in this sector. Virginia was ranked No. 7 in the Aerospace/Defense Industry Leaders category. This comes as no surprise, as the Commonwealth is the No. 1 state for Department of Defense contracts and is home to a number of global aerospace and defense companies due to its strengths in the high-tech and manufacturing spaces, strong military presence and close proximity to federal customers. Virginia also offers one of only four commercial sites authorized by the FAA for orbital space launch. Often referred to as the “Energy Capital of the East Coast,” Virginia was recognized as a Biofuels Leader with a No. 7 ranking. The Commonwealth has seen a number of announcements in this sector—Enviva is currently completing construction on a 454,000-metric-ton wood pellet manufacturing facility in Southampton County. The company will utilize Southern Virginia’s rich wood basket, seasoned labor force, and proximity to the Port of Chesapeake to provide biomass for its international customers. In addition, three Virginia localities were recognized in the Business Facilities Metro Rankings Report. Prince George County was rated No. 7 for Economic Growth Potential, due in part to expansions at Ft. Lee, Rolls-Royce and the Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing (CCAM).  Newport News and Norfolk were ranked No. 2 and No. 9, respectively, as Logistics Leaders (Ports) for their proximity to the international Port of Virginia. Offering access to 250 ports in more than 100 overseas locations, the Port of Virginia is the only U.S. East Coast location able to handle post-Panamax vessels as first port of call. Virginia continues to receive top accolades because the Commonwealth offers the location and resources businesses need to succeed. To learn why companies have prospered in Virginia for more than 400 years, click here. be3cf98d-3dbf-4d00-8307-4221b001be74|0|.0|96d5b379-7e1d-4dac-a6ba-1e50db561b04 Tags:   virginia, vedp, site selection, business facilities magazine 2013 state rankins report, best business climate, economic growth potential, best state for business, data centers, energy capital of the east coast, biofuels, biomass, enviva, port of virginia Categories:   Actions:   E-mail | Permalink | Comments (0) | Comment RSS Nine Virginia Schools Make Forbes 2013 America’s Top 200 Colleges Report Thursday, 1 August 2013 16:30 by Info@YesVirginia.org Tweet Share Once again, Virginia colleges and universities made a strong showing on the Forbes 2013 America’s Top Colleges list... Once again, Virginia colleges and universities made a strong showing on the Forbes 2013 America’s Top Colleges list. Nine Virginia institutions were ranked in the Top 200 in the Overall Category: Washington and Lee University (No. 21), University of Virginia (No. 29), College of William and Mary (No. 44), Virginia Military Institute (No. 87), University of Richmond (No. 88), Virginia Tech (No. 110), James Madison University (No. 168), Hampden-Sydney College (No. 189), and George Mason University (No. 197). Virginia schools also stood out in a number of categories. Washington and Lee University was ranked No. 20 on the Best Private Colleges list, and James Madison University came in at No. 21 on the Best Value Colleges List. Three Virginia schools made the Top 25 in the Best Public Colleges category. University of Virginia was ranked No. 4, College of William and Mary was ranked No. 9, and Virginia Military Institute came in at No. 17. What is unique about this ranking is that Forbes focuses on ROI and what students get out of their college experience. Forbes looks at five areas to determine its rankings—student satisfaction scores, post-graduate success, student debt, graduation rates and nationally recognized awards. Virginia’s higher education system currently includes more than 450,000 students enrolled at institutions ranging from 15 comprehensive public institutions, eight of which offer doctoral programs, more than 50 private accredited four-year colleges and universities, and 23 public community colleges. The quality of Virginia’s workforce is often cited as a critical advantage by companies in the Commonwealth, and with a world-class higher education system, Virginia is poised to maintain a strong pipeline of skilled workers. To learn how Virginia’s premier higher education system is preparing a skilled workforce for the future, click here. a4f0299b-5df5-4f18-a546-5a8dba1bb96e|0|.0|96d5b379-7e1d-4dac-a6ba-1e50db561b04 Tags:   virginia, vedp, site selection, economic development, forbes america's best colleges 2013, best colleges list, virginia higher education, virginia schools, virginia colleges, virginia universities Categories:   Actions:   E-mail | Permalink | Comments (0) | Comment RSS << Older posts Newer posts >> Newer posts 1 2 ... 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 ... 27 28 Older posts Search Search Blog Homepage Return to blog homepage Subscribe Subscribe to RSS Feed About VEDP The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP), a state authority created by the Virginia General Assembly to better serve those seeking a prime business location and increased trade opportunities, provides confidential site selection and international trade services. VEDP's mission: To enhance the quality of life and raise the standard of living for all Virginians, in collaboration with Virginia communities, through aggressive business recruitment, expansion assistance, and trade development, thereby expanding the tax base and creating higher-income employment opportunities. Archive 2009 May (1) June (4) July (1) August (3) September (1) October (1) 2010 December (1) 2011 January (1) April (1) May (2) June (3) July (1) August (4) September (4) October (4) November (8) December (6) 2012 January (5) February (10) March (7) April (6) May (10) June (11) July (8) August (11) September (8) October (8) November (7) December (8) 2013 January (5) February (7) March (7) April (5) May (5) June (5) July (6) August (4) September (6) October (4) November (5) December (4) 2014 January (4) February (4) March (6) April (2) May (2) June (4) July (7) August (4) September (4) October (4) November (3) December (3) 2015 January (2) February (4) March (2) April (4) May (6) June (2) July (4) August (3) September (2) October (2) November (1) December (2) 2016 February (4) April (1) May (4) June (2) August (1) September (1) December (1) 2017 January (1) February (1) March (1) © Copyright 2018 Stay Connected 901 East Byrd Street P.O. Box 798 Richmond, VA 23218-0798 USA Get Directions 804.545.5600 (General) 804.545.5806 (Media) info@yesvirginia.org Facebook Like Twitter Follow LinkedIn Follow RSS Subscribe Asset Rich Fast Facts Workforce Education Research and Development Location and Infrastructure Quality of Life Pro-Business Robust Economy Competitive Operating Costs Stable Taxes Incentives Global Focus Gateway for Global Enterprise International Investment International Company Directory FAQ ExportVA.org Key Industries Food Processing Aerospace Plastics & Advanced Materials Data Centers IT Life Sciences Automotive Energy Distribution Corporate HQ Tools & Resources Site Selection Tools Announcement Database Closing Database Maps and GIS Data Helpful Links Library Higher Education Business Resources Blog News Center Media Gallery VIRGINIA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP © 2014 All rights reserved. About VEDP Contact Us Governor of Virginia Privacy Policy About Us Contact Us Virginia - The Best State for Business Asset Rich Fast Facts / Workforce / Education / Research & Development / Location & Infrastructure / Quality of Life Pro- Business Robust Economy / Competitive Operating Costs / Stable Taxes / Incentives Global Focus Gateway for Global Enterprise / International Investment / International Company Directory / FAQ / ExportVirginia.org Key Industries Food Processing / Aerospace / Plastics & Advanced Materials / Data Centers / IT / Life Sciences / Automotive / Energy / Distribution / Corporate HQ Tools & Resources Site Selection Tools / Announcements Database / Closings Database / Maps and GIS Data / Helpful Links / Library / Higher Education Business Resources / Blog / NewsCenter / Media Gallery Preparing Virginia's Future Engineers Wednesday, 29 December 2010 15:16 by Info@YesVirginia.org Tweet Share The Commonwealth Graduate Engineering Program is a long-standing program that has demonstrated Virginia's higher education partnerships for many years. It continues to support the workforce needs of significant advanced manufacturing employers in the Commonwealth. This article is worth the short read. 062b284b-8d59-4541-bfbc-7304bb7c16dd|0|.0|96d5b379-7e1d-4dac-a6ba-1e50db561b04 Tags:   commonwealth graduate engineering program, virginia, higher education, workforce, advanced manufacturing, center for advanced engineering and research, central virginia community college, economic development Categories:   Actions:   E-mail | Permalink | Comments (0) | Comment RSS Search Search Blog Homepage Return to blog homepage Subscribe Subscribe to RSS Feed About VEDP The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP), a state authority created by the Virginia General Assembly to better serve those seeking a prime business location and increased trade opportunities, provides confidential site selection and international trade services. VEDP's mission: To enhance the quality of life and raise the standard of living for all Virginians, in collaboration with Virginia communities, through aggressive business recruitment, expansion assistance, and trade development, thereby expanding the tax base and creating higher-income employment opportunities. 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