Media Center
Celebrating Successes at Annual Business Reception
Virginia’s Gateway Region Economic Development Organization (VGR) is taking regional marketing efforts to new heights. At the organization’s annual business reception, held April 6, 2006, at the Petersburg Country Club, the area’s most prominent business leaders and governmental officials were on hand to celebrate the regional economic development organization’s successes.
“Many of the attendees already knew the Gateway Region’s key role in helping to create jobs in the region,” Executive Director C. Renee Wyatt said. “They know we are committed to enhancing opportunities for citizens across the region, and we will continue to do so by promoting the region as the premiere business location both domestically and internationally.”
At the event sponsored by Dominion Virginia Power, Wyatt announced Virginia’s Gateway Region had been notified they were selected as one of the top 20 economic development groups in the nation. Her organization’s work will be recognized in the May issue of Site Selection Magazine.
Following Wyatt’s announcement, Conaway B. Haskins, III, a program officer with The Cameron Foundation delighted the crowd with word the Gateway Region had been awarded a three year, $275,000 grant to support the organization’s marketing and research development.
“The Cameron Foundation is committed to improving quality of life across the region,” Charles E. Townes, Sr., VGR President said. “Their support is invaluable, and we are grateful for what truly is a long term investment in the health and vitality of our community.”
Townes also received special recognition at the event, where he was presented with a lifetime achievement award in recognition of his 20 years of leadership and service to the organization.
The evening marked a major coup for the Gateway Region, which until recently had been a quiet force in the area.
Virginia’s Gateway Region is the lead marketing arm for the cities of Colonial Heights, Hopewell and Petersburg, and the counties of Dinwiddie, Chesterfield, Prince George, Surry and Sussex. The organization was created in its present form in 1985 under the name of Appomattox Basin Industrial Development Corporation, better known as ABIDCO. The name Virginia’s Gateway Region was adopted in February 2002.
The staff at the publicly and privately funded organization works directly with state and local economic development officials to raise quality of life in the region by bringing in jobs and investment, while supporting the area’s existing industries.
“Since taking over as executive director one year ago, Wyatt has brought a new dynamism to the organization,” Gateway Region Project Manager Tammie J. Collins said. “She laid the framework for a new marketing approach and new economic development strategy, bringing the region to the forefront and giving her staff room to excel.”
Collins, who has been with the organization since 2003, works directly with new and existing business to ensure they find support and success in the region. She is a key member of Wyatt’s team, which also includes Marketing & Research Manager Megan E. Johnson.
“The team has worked tirelessly,” Wyatt said, “and we have come along way. In the past year we developed a new logo, website, targeted industry materials, specialized publications, an overall marketing strategy, and more. In the coming months, we will be building on all that with a capital campaign, intensified marketing efforts and a commitment to raising this region’s visibility and vitality.”
Virginia’s Gateway Region has had a great year, Wyatt said, but she added this is just the beginning of many good things to come.