The Online Newsletter for the Virginia Economic Developers Association
November 2018
President's Message
Mark your calendar and plan to attend VEDA's annual Legislative Reception on Monday, January 14, 2019. This event will kick off VEDA's program year at McGuireWoods in Richmond.

Join other VEDA members and guests in honoring the Commonwealth's Legislative and Executive branches. Don't miss the opportunity to network with Virginia's lawmakers! 

Look below for details for the event and make your hotel reservations today! I look forward to seeing many of you at next week's Winter Membership Luncheon & Annual Meeting in Charlottesville as we celebrate the accomplishments of 2018 and look forward to new opportunities in 2019.

-Ken McFadyen, VEDA President
Botetourt County Economic Development
MARK YOUR CALENDAR 
AND PLAN TO ATTEND
FOR THE 
VEDA LEGISLATIVE RECEPTION
MONDAY, JANUARY 14, 2019
McGuireWoods,  Richmond

Mark your calendar and plan to attend. Registration will open soon!

L OCATION
McGuireWoods
Gateway Plaza, 800 East Canal Street
Richmond, VA 23219-3916

For overnight accommodations, VEDA has a room block at the Omni Richmond Hotel, 100 S 12th Street, Richmond.

All reservations should be received by Tuesday, December 18th to guarantee the group rate of $169.  Attendees may make their reservation by dialing 1-800-THE-OMNI or by visiting VEDA's customized website: https://www.omnihotels.com/hotels/richmond/meetings/veda-legislative-reception
VEDA now accepting applications for 2019 professional development scholarships
Economic developers realize the importance of professional development. Education venues, where knowledge, professional experience, and best practices are shared between economic development practitioners, provide invaluable learning opportunities. VEDA offers a variety of scholarships to help our members with their professional development efforts. For 2019 VEDA has more than $7,500 for EDI and BASIC/IEDC scholarships, the Virginia Institute for Economic Development, and the Smiley Waller Memorial Scholarships.
 
The deadline to submit applications is January 25, 2019. Applications must be submitted online. Please find below a description of the scholarships available.

General Scholarship Application Information

The VEDA Scholarship application process begins at the end of each calendar year with a notice to members announcing the acceptance of applications. The scholarship deadline is typically in February and recipients are immediately notified once the committee has made their decisions.
Scholarship funding is determined through the VEDA budget process annually (usually in December). The VEDA Board strives to allow for as many scholarships as possible within the confines of the budget based on anticipated revenue and expenses for the coming year.
Dates, times, and locations of all economic development courses may be found on the VEDA website in the Calendar section.
All scholarship application information must be submitted online for easy distribution to review committee. All scholarship applications should consist of one PDF or Word document as opposed to multiple documents.
The application must consist of
~A VEDA Scholarship Request Form (ONLINE APPLICATION FORM)
~A resume (Upload online)
~Letter of support or recommendation from a superior or sponsor (Upload online). In addition to a recommendation for the applicant, this letter from the organization should include the number of people that work in the organization, the number of those who are members of VEDA, the organization's total budget, and the amount of the budget dedicated to professional development. (Upload online)
~A one-page statement defining the applicant's role in his/her community's economic development efforts with potential impacts of that involvement (Upload online). This statement is your opportunity to differentiate yourself from other applicants. It should include your support for VEDA and any other classes you have taken that demonstrate your commitment to economic development. Additionally, if your role includes duties beyond economic development, you should describe them in your letter. (Upload online)
~Copy of the budget for economic development from your organization, which clearly specifies total professional development funds available. Please list employer's total number of employees. (Upload online)
For more information on the guidelines for applying and the online application CLICK HERE.
-Voncile "Von" Gilbreath, VEDA Professional Development Chair, City of Chesapeake Economic  Development
Governor's Infrastructure Financing Conference
The 2018  Governor's Infrastructure Financing Conference, December 10-12, 2018 will take place at  The Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center, Roanoke, Virginia. The conference is designed to bring together government and private sector professionals in discussions that will help facilitate the planning and delivery of much-needed capital improvement projects across Virginia, including schools.

The conference will highlight state funding resources available for capital improvement projects focusing on the health and safety of communities. Particular emphasis will be given to funding resources aimed at promoting economic development and job-creation opportunities for Virginians, including tourism. Informative sessions highlighting various sources of funding, including private financing of public infrastructure, public-private partnerships, state and federal loans and grants, bank loans, etc. will be held as well as the very basics of planning capital projects and developing financial policies that support capital improvement needs. Participants will have the opportunity to earn Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits as well.

In addition to attracting local and state elected and appointed officials, the 2018 Governor's Infrastructure Financing Conference will include public finance professionals such as bankers, financial advisors, accountants, and attorneys, as well as engineers, builders, consultants, and other professionals who assist local communities in planning and implementing capital improvement projects. This will allow attendees an opportunity to network with professionals who may be able to help with their infrastructure financing needs.
To register for the conference and for sponsorship and exhibit opportunities CLICK HERE.
Help VCC host a Learning Exchange Viewing Party on 12/13/18
What is
The Learning Exchange?
Virginia Community Capital is a Virginia-based community development financial institutions (CDFIs) committed to investing in and enhancing its local communities and their capacity. While the approach varies, one central premise is consistent: CDFIs often exist to promote economic development and revitalize their surrounding communities. VCC's increasing investment in building strong, local community partnerships and our mission as a CDFI calls us to be intentional about our engagement strategy and bringing innovative resources to our stakeholders. With this driving belief, VCC has hosted a knowledge sharing initiative for the last 8 years called The Learning Exchange.
 
The Learning Exchange's main goal is to provide frameworks/ideas the state-wide audience can easily digest and apply to their unique communities. These ideas tend to challenge conventional thinking, offer tools and resources, and bring innovative perspectives to Virginia's communities. In 2017, VCC hosted a conversation with Melody Barnes (Aspen Institute) and Xavier de Souza Briggs (Ford Foundation). Using the Collective Impact Model as a guide, these two experts discussed how cities, towns, businesses, and philanthropic entities all over the country are implementing innovative tactics to invigorate and revitalize their communities. 
 
In 2018, VCC will host a conversation between Bruce Katz, former Brookings Institute Fellow and author of The New Localism, and Shena Ashley, a lead author of the Urban Institute's report "Investing Together: Emerging Approaches in Collaborative Place-Based Impact Investing" that VCC participated in. With the theme of "place" guiding the program, these two speakers offer macro and ground-level perspectives of place-based impact investing.
 
Why host a viewing party?
VCC regards viewing parties as a way to provide access to the Learning Exchange in all VCC communities while thoughtfully enriching local communities through thought leadership and robust discussion. It is our goal to host at least one viewing party in each region.
 
Viewing parties are directed toward those who are interested in attending the event but are unable to take off work or unable to travel to Richmond. Viewing parties are opportunities to introduce new community members to the expertise and mission of VCC, as well as encourage all attendees to consider how they can apply what they take away from the Learning Exchange within their own communities.
 
On December 13th, 2018 VCC will offer a free live-stream of the Learning Exchange event. By hosting a viewing party through your organization/at your facility or identifying prospective hosts based on connections within your network, we hope to incite discussions and be a catalyst for innovative action across Virginia.
 
Who participates in a viewing party?
We are looking for hosts/facilitators, viewing party guests, and prospective sponsors.
 
For more information or to host a viewing party in your community email Lauren DeSimone, VCC, Community Impact Advisor, at ldesimone@vccva.org.
In This Issue
VEDA EVENTS IN 2019
Theme for 2019:
Telling the Virginia Story

2019 Legislative Reception
Monday, January 14, 2019
McGuireWoods
Richmond, Virginia

2019 Spring Conference
Your Place - Your Story
Wednesday, March 27-Friday, March 29, 2019
Harrisonburg, Virginia

2019 Summer Membership Meeting
Telling Your Story in Numbers
Tuesday, June 4-Wednesday, June 5, 2019
Portsmouth, Virginia

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

Mark your calendar and plan on attending these economic development events in 2019!
2018 C ORPORATE PATRONS













BE ON THE LOOKOUT!
As we near the end of 2018, there are many things to be aware of as a VEDA member!

-Nominations for the Community Economic Development Awards will be accepted beginning in November

-Professional Development Scholarship Applications will start being accepted in November 

-VEDA's 2019 Public Policy Agenda will be available in December

-VEDA Dues Investment Renewal process will begin in December

-VEDA members will elect new officers and directors for 2019 on December 5th

-2019 Sponsorship Opportunities will open in November

Stay tuned for these and other important VEDA activities to make the most of your membership.
Nominate a Virginia community for the 2019 CED Awards!
We all know that economic development is not a solo practice.   We team with government, the private sector, and countless others to make our communities competitive. Several years ago, the Southern Economic Development Council (SEDC) instituted a new awards program that recognized outstanding communities for their efforts in advancing the economic viability of their communities through economic and community development programs.  
The CEDA program recognizes the best practices and exceptional contributions of communities in the Commonwealth of Virginia for the following efforts:
  • Business Retention and Expansion
  • Business Recruitment
  • Community Development
  • Community Involvement
CLICK HERE for Nominating and Selection Criteria for Virginia's 2019 CEDA Program. The winners will be announced and recognized in Harrisonburg at VEDA's Spring Conference on Friday, March 29, 2019.   

Call for Nominations

So that we may continue to learn from each other, VEDA's Board of Directors and the CEDA Selection Committee urge you to identify an eligible success story in your community and nominate it for consideration TODAY! 

All Nominations Must be Received by February 8, 2019.

- Traci Blido, CEDA Selection Committee Chair
Bedford County