In This Issue

  • Highlighting 2006 Growth and Activity
  • Gateway Communities Explore Broadband
  • Petersburg Area Regional Tourism Welcomes New Executive Director
  • New Portal Streamlines Workforce Information

Save the Date

BRAC / RCI Update and Overview Sessions, Friday 4.13.07 Attend the morning or evening information session at at John Tyler Community College for your opportunity to learn the latest BRAC / RCI info and network with prime contractors. 

 

Additional information will be posted on our Events Calendar as it becomes available.

March 13, 2007

Dear Reader,

Welcome to the winter issue of Access is Everything, the eNewsletter brought to you by Virginia's Gateway Region Economic Development Organization.

Highlighting 2006 Growth and Activity

The last year was like no other for the Gateway Region.  At VGR's Annual Meeting, held March 8, 2007, at the Country Club of Petersburg, the organization highlighted the year's initiatives, opportunities and accolades.  VGR Executive Director C. Renee Wyatt-Chapline announced the organization had helped secure more than $208 million in capital investment and 1,358 jobs in the 2006 fiscal year.  Wyatt-Chapline said the organization focused extensively on marketing and research in 2006, bringing in a full-time Research Manager and resulting in several awards and recognitions for marketing initiatives.  Jason Gray, District Representative / Military Liaison with Congressman J. Randy Forbes spoke to the crowd about the Region's growth and collaboration.  Guests received the first copies of VGR's 2006 Annual Report, which Petersburg-based Owen Printing Company printed in-kind and will be mailed to investors.  

Gateway Communities Explore Broadband

Under the direction of the General Assembly, the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) has launched the Virginia Rural Broadband Planning Initiative (VRBPI).  The initiative focuses on ensuring Virginia’s rural communities have the infrastructure to be sustainable and competitive in a global marketplace, with a secondary goal of facilitating universal high speed internet access.  VGR localities are in the early stages of working with the DHCD on the planning initiative.  Under the VRBPI, the DHCD will commit up to $25,000 to localities to support the first phase of the planning process, during which time localities will develop a comprehensive community telecommunications plan.  The plan’s key elements include establishing a diverse management team of regional stakeholders who will facilitate an intensive exploration of telecom infrastructure, needs, and goals.  Communities will need about eight months to complete the first phase of the planning before deciding if and how they wish to invest in physical infrastructure.  From there, the localities will work with DHCD to pursue additional funding and guidance.  The Gateway Region strongly supports this initiative to explore how we can make our communities more competitive and will provide further information as the planning progresses.  For more information on the planning initiative visit www.dhcd.virginia.gov.

Petersburg Area Regional Tourism Welcomes New Executive Director

Things are moving quickly with the region's new tourism group, the Petersburg Area Regional Tourism Corporation (PART).  PART was formed in 2006 to represent the cities of Colonial Heights, Hopewell, and Petersburg, and the counties of Chesterfield, Dinwiddie, and Prince George, in addition to the Fort Lee Army installation.  This February PART received its 501-C3 status, launched its new website, www.petersburgarea.org, and hired its first executive director, David J. Schulte.  Schulte brings 25 years of executive management and marketing experience in the tourism and travel industry to PART.  He most recently served as Executive Director of the Williamsburg Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.

 

Fact Facts: Did you know?

  • The Gateway Region's marketing efforts were recognized by the Southern Economic Development Council (SEDC).  VGR received SEDC Literature and Promotion Awards for its targeted mailing, overall marketing campaign, and corporate identity package.

New Portal Streamlines Workforce Information

The Region's workforce is one of its greatest assets and the Gateway Region's new Workforce Portal aims to convey its advantages and opportunities.  The Workforce Portal was developed in conjunction with the Crater Regional Workforce Investment Group (CRWIG).  The new site highlights CRWIG's priorities and programs, providing information for employers, job seekers, partners and more.