The Online Newsletter for the Virginia Economic Developers Association
May/June 2019
President's Column
Time seems to be flying by in 2019--this week the calendar says we officially welcome summer though many of us got a jump-start in Portsmouth two weeks ago for our Summer Membership Meeting. Big thanks to Robert Moore (City of Portsmouth) and his team who rolled out the red carpet for VEDA members! The program and meeting committees put together an informative session featuring three site selectors who shared their expertise - and unfiltered feedback- with members.  If you were not able to join us, make sure you ask a colleague for their one or two big takeaways- very valuable feedback from the site selector community.    
 
Over the last two weeks, your VEDA leadership team continued our practice of regular meetings with state leadership.  We had great conversations with Secretary of Commerce and Trade Brian Ball and his team, Virginia Economic Development Partnership's (VEDP) Stephen Moret and Christy Morton and our friends at the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) led by Erik Johnston.  These sessions allow VEDA to stay up to date on new initiatives and have strategic discussions about budget, policies and more- all in an effort to further economic development statewide.
 
Our team will continue those strategic discussions later this summer at our annual Board Retreat- if you have ideas or thoughts that you think the Board should address, my ears (and inbox) are always open!
 
Have a safe and enjoyable summer- hope to see you all soon!
Stephanie Landrum
VEDA President
Alexandria Economic Development Partnership
VEDA still has scholarships available - deadline to apply is July 10th!
VEDA is conducting a second round of accepting scholarship applications for 2019. There are three $500 scholarships for BASIC and IEDC Courses and three scholarships for the Virginia Institute for Economic Development, September 25-26, 2019. All remaining scholarships must be used by December 15, 2019 and are for tuition only. Please complete your application and submit no later than July 10, 2019. 

Applications must be submitted online. Go to the VEDA website to apply and find a description of the scholarships available.

CLICK HERE to apply for a Professional Development Scholarship by July 10th.
Cardinal Award nominations being accepted--deadline to nominate is July 10th
The Cardinal Award is the most prestigious award bestowed by VEDA to deserving members. The award recognizes leadership in the field of economic development, outstanding professional accomplishments, and exceptional service to the organization. Nominations are open in early summer each year to VEDA past or current members. The nominator must be a member of the Association.

Nominations must be made online. The form links below are provided only for your convenience in preparing to submit a nomination. Do not use the forms below to submit your nomination.

*Contact the VEDA office for assistance with the Service to VEDA form.
2020 Virginia Telecommunications Initiative (VATI) application deadline
The FY2020 Virginia Telecommunication Initiative (VATI) grant round will open on Monday, June 24, 2019. The deadline for completed applications will be Monday, Sept.3, 2019. Learn more here  .
 
DHCD has received $19 million for FY2020 to implement broadband infrastructure deployment in partnership with units of local government and private internet service providers across the commonwealth. The funds shall be used to extend service to areas that presently are unserved by any broadband provider.
VEDA Fall Conference to be held in Richmond September 18-20

The VEDA 2019 Fall Conference will be held at the Omni Richmond Hotel September 18-20. The Program Committee is hard at work to put together Tools for Telling Your Story. So mark your calendar, reserve your hotel room and plan to join us in Richmond in September.

Hope to see you there!
Mid-Atlantic PACE Alliance (MAPA) to partner with VA Renewable Energy Alliance (VA-REA)
MAPA is partnering with VA Renewable Energy Alliance (VA-REA) and several other not-for-profit organizations to offer the first-ever Virginia Clean Energy Summit on September 17, 2019 at the Richmond Convention Center.

The partner organizations will continue to bring the importance of clean energy as an economic development driver here in the Commonwealth. The Solar Foundation reports that almost 4,000 jobs are sustained in Virginia in 2018 by the solar energy industry; this is predicted to increase in 2019. READ MORE.
VEDA member news
City of Danville economic development director Telly Tucker will show his musical side leading musical productions in D.C.  On June 22, he will be music director of the shows "Just a Little Bit of Ray," at 5 p.m., and "A Musical Journey," at 7 p.m. at THEARC Blackbox Theater on Mississippi Avenue Southeast. CLICK HERE to read more!
  

VEDA Member Nicole Smith received the designation of Certified Economic Developer from the International Economic Development Council. Nicole serves as Economic Development Coordinator for the City of Manassas.

The City of Manassas Office of Economic Development launched their new Move to Manassas website to kickstart a multi-channel campaign focused on the community's unique lifestyle which embodies expansive economic development, meaningful civic engagement and a vibrant thriving job market.

Michaela Martin (Virginia Economic Development Partnership) has been promoted from Associate Business Manager to Business Manager on the Products Team in the Business Investment Division.

VEDA Cardinal and Past President Matthew James has been appointed Deputy Director of the Department of General Services (DGS). He has served as a member of the Virginia House of Delegates from the 80th District since 2010 and was a member of the Major Employment and Investment (MEI) Project Approval Commission.  

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership was named the most effective state-level economic development group in the United States by Site Selection.
VEDA and Virginia Business partner to promote the magazine's 27th Annual Economic Development Site Locator
VEDA is again teaming up with Virginia Business to promote the magazine's 27 th Annual Economic Development Site Locator. This special report will appear in the August issue of Virginia Business. 

Invest in a full or half page display ad, and you can double your message's impact. Virginia Business will match the space with your detailed story that picks up where your display ad leaves off. Send Virginia Business your copy, photos, logo, and they will do the rest. Full-page profile = 450 words; half-page profile = 250 words. Plus: 2-page and 1-page Site Locator advertisers will receive a free ½-page horizontal ad in Virginia Business' October issue-Construction feature or in the November issue - Big Economic Development feature.
 
Contact Hunter Bendall ( 804-225-0078/hbendall@va-business.com ) for more information.
In This Issue
2019 C ORPORATE PATRONS









 








VEDA EVENTS IN 2019
Theme for 2019:
Telling the Virginia Story

2019 Fall Conference
Tools for Telling Your Story
Wednesday, September 18-Friday, September 20, 2019,  Richmond, Virginia

2019 Annual Meeting & Winter Membership Luncheon
Has Your Story Hit its Mark?
Tuesday, December 3-Wednesday, December 4, 2019, Waynesboro, Virginia

Mark your calendar and plan on attending these economic development events in 2019!
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

President
Stephanie Landrum
Alexandria Economic Development Partnership

Vice President
James Noel
York County Office
of Economic Development

Treasurer
Amanda Glover
Augusta County Economic Development

Secretary
Steven Harrison
Virginia Beach Department of Economic Development

Immediate Past President
Kenneth McFadyen
Botetourt County Economic Development

DIRECTORS

Shannon Blevins
The University of Virginia's College at Wise

Voncile Gilbreath
City of Chesapeake
Economic Development

Linda Green
Southern Virginia
Regional Alliance

Garrett Hart
Chesterfield County Economic Development

Amanda Jarratt
City of Franklin

David Manley
Joint IDA of Wythe County

Courtland Robinson
Virginia Economic
Development Partnership

Curry Roberts
Fredericksburg Regional Alliance

Christina Winn
Arlington Economic Development

EX-OFFICIO 
Russell Held
The Port of Virginia

Barry DuVal
Virginia Chamber of Commerce

Patrick Gottschalk
Williams Mullen

Erik Johnston
Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development

Jody Keenan
Virginia SBDC Network-George Mason University

Connie Long
Virginia Economic Developers Association

Stephen Moret
Virginia Economic Development Partnership

Sharon Morrisey
Virginia Community College System


Corporate Patron Spotlight
VEDA is fortunate to have the generous support of Annual Corporate Patrons who assist us in bringing great programming, scholarships, professional development opportunities and much more to VEDA members. If you have an opportunity, please thank them for their support of economic development in Virginia.

The Port of Virginia
The Port of Virginia is the third largest container port on the U.S. East Coast.   It operates five marine terminals, including the barge served Richmond Marine Terminal, and also operates the Virginia Inland Port, an intermodal container transfer facility located in Front Royal, VA.   With its deep channels, state-of-the-art terminal infrastructure, strategic location and world-wide reach, the Port of Virginia is an engine for economic development and prosperity across the Commonwealth.   In 2016, The Port of Virginia began infrastructure projects totaling nearly $700 million that will increase the port's annual capacity by 1,000,000 containers by 2020, ensuring economic opportunity for your clients, localities and region for decades to come. Please feel free to contact us to discuss how The Port of Virginia can support your efforts in business retention, expansion and attraction.
Contact:
Russell Held, Vice President Economic Development
Email: rheld@portofvirginia.com 
Website: www.portofvirginia.com

The Riverlink Group 
The RiverLink Group is a Virginia-based woman-owned economic development consulting firm, serving public, private, corporate and non-profit clients at the local, regional and state level.   Our focus - at the intersection of community development, workforce, higher education and business development - delivers innovative and high quality professional and technical services to solve short or long-term needs.  Led by an economic development professional with over 35 years of local, regional and state experience, The RiverLink Group teams with preferred partners with unique expertise to provide comprehensive customized and practical solutions.   Our capabilities focus on business retention and growth, entrepreneurial system development, higher education partnerships, talent system development, economic and data analytics, group facilitation, strategic action planning, corporate intelligence, and organizational management services, and rural economic development strategies.
Contact
Elizabeth Povar, Principal
Email:  liz@riverlinkgroup.com
Website:  http://www.riverlinkgroup.com/