South Hill – Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling today joined state and local officials to announce the creation of a regional economic development organization, Commonwealth TransTech Marketing Alliance, and present the Alliance with Building Collaborative Communities grants.

On behalf of Governor McDonnell, Lieutenant Governor Bolling presented a $168,000 grant to the Alliance, which is comprised of the Counties of Brunswick, Charlotte, Greensville, Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, Nottoway, and the City of Emporia for the Building Community Collaborative program, which is a new initiative that was created through a recommendation from the Governor's Commission on Economic Development and Job Creation. This grant will cover the initial costs of establishing the organization and hiring an executive director. Also announced at the event was a $200,000 grant from the Virginia Tobacco Indemnification Commission in support of the marketing activities of the Commonwealth TransTech Marketing Alliance.

Lieutenant Governor Bolling said, “I want to congratulate our local partners in Southern Virginia for banding together to create the Commonwealth TransTech Marketing Alliance and I am delighted that the Commonwealth has been able to play a role in making this announcement possible. We know from experience that economic development efforts are more successful when regions of the state work together instead of competing against each other. Today, I am pleased to present a grant check to the Commonwealth TransTech Marketing Alliance to support long-term economic development efforts in their region. These funds will provide critical support to programs that help create jobs, promote tourism and support critical educational projects in the region. I look forward to working with the Alliance to maximize these resources and bring more jobs to Southern Virginia.”

State Senator Frank Ruff said, “The Commonwealth TransTech Alliance is a regional effort that is needed in Southern Virginia. We believe that we can be far more effective by marketing our part of Virginia through regional economic development collaboration; we expect to create new opportunities and expand existing ones through this effort. Collectively we have many assets to market globally. We will focus on promoting the region and creating new jobs and opportunities.”

Angie Kellett, Economic Development Director for Mecklenburg County, said, “These grants are a big step forward for this Alliance. We want to create an active, multi-functional economic organization, which will aggressively support and market the seven-locality region.”

Building Collaborative Communities is a broad-based program that brings together resources from a number of state entities, including the Lieutenant Governor’s Office, Department of Business Assistance, Virginia Tourism Corporation, Virginia Economic Development Partnership, Department of Housing and Community Development, Virginia Community College System, Virginia Tobacco Indemnification Commission and other agencies as appropriate. The Commonwealth is providing $100,000 to support this program in FY2012, along with an additional $28,000 from the Virginia Community College System for proposals targeting workforce enhancements and $40,000 from the Department of Housing and Community Development for proposals supporting entrepreneurship development.

For more information on the Building Collaborative Communities, click here.

Lt. Governor Bill Bolling stated, "Congratulations to the Mid-Atlantic Advanced Manufacturing Center for being recognized as one of the 'Ten Best Automotive Assembly Plant Sites in the Southern Auto Corridor.' Manufacturing is a vital part of Virginia's economy. We know that we can't just be an economy that consumes things, we need to be an economy that makes things too. I look forward to the localities in the region working together to promote Virginia's only certified megasite facility. This facility will enhance Southern Virginia's economic development opportunities for years to come.”

"I am delighted that Southern Business & Development Magazine has so quickly found the MAMaC site and understands the potential it offers. That potential was the reason that the Tobacco Commission decided to assist in the development." Senator Frank Ruff, Vice-Chairman of Virginia Tobacco Indemnification & Community Revitalization Commission.

In their recognition of MAMaC, Southern Business & Development Magazine wrote:

The 1,545-acre MAMaC site is the only McCallum Sweeney certified mega site in VA, NC and MD.

The Development Team includes CSX, Virginia Port Authority, Virginia Manufacturer's Association,
Mid-Atlantic Broadband Cooperative, Old Dominion Electric Cooperative, and Southside Virginia
Community College. The MAMaC site is a regional economic development initiative of Greensville
County, the City of Emporia and Brunswick County with funding support from the Virginia Tobacco
Commission.

• Direct frontage on I-95 (over 7,000 feet) and convenient access to I-85
• CSX mainline rail access
• 90 minutes to VA Ports – only East Coast port that can handle "post-Panamax" ships
• Less than 25 miles from the NC Center for Automotive Research (NCCAR)
• Less than 40 miles from Rolls-Royce Crosspoint Center
• Southern Virginia Education Center Phase III Training Center launched Nov. 2010

The McCallum Sweeney certification was achieved through support from CSX. A certified megasite, ensures the lowest possible level of risk to a client, thanks to a predictable project schedule and pre-calculated development costs. Businesses can become operational more quickly, giving them an edge over the competition. No other industrial site can combine this certification with Virginia's award-wining business climate.

MAMaC is also located about 40 miles from the new Rolls Royce campus including the Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing.

For more information, visit the MAMaC website at www.mamacva.com.

Southern Business & Development Magazine recognizes Governor and Seven Virginia organizations in its annual Top Ten lists

Newly formed Southern Virginia Regional Alliance recognized as one of Top Ten Notable Collective Economic Development Efforts in the South

RICHMOND – Governor Bob McDonnell and seven Virginia organizations were recently recognized by Southern Business & Development Magazine in its annual Top Ten in the South lists. Governor McDonnell was recognized in the category of: “Ten People Who Made A Difference” in the South. A full listing of awarded Virginia organizations and their categories are outlined below.

Speaking about the ranking, Governor McDonnell noted, “The only ranking that matters to me is ensuring that Virginia remains the best place in the world for business. The more we can do in Richmond to promote economic development and job creation, the more Virginians who will be able to find the good paying jobs they need in their counties and cities. From our local economic development officials, to the great team at the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, to the work of Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling, Secretary of Commerce and Trade Jim Cheng and Senior Economic Advisor Bob Sledd, we are fortunate to have so many talented and committed individuals working so diligently to bring new job-creating businesses here, and help existing businesses expand and grow. Government doesn’t create jobs; the private sector does. Our aim is to create the kind of policy climate that is most conducive to job creation. We are not going to stop until every Virginian can gain access to the basic opportunity of a rewarding job.”

Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling, Virginia’s Chief Jobs Creation Officer, added, “I congratulate Governor McDonnell for receiving this terrific recognition of his leadership and commitment to creating jobs and economic opportunity for all Virginians. Having seven Virginia organizations recognized among the Top Ten in the South validates our approach and highlights our success. I am especially proud of the Southern Virginia Regional Alliance. One year ago there was no regional economic development organization in Southern Virginia. However, through the joint efforts of the Administration, Tobacco Commission and participating localities, the Southern Virginia Alliance is off to a strong start, as this recognition as one of the top collaborative economic development organizations in the South reflects. We hope to replicate this success in other regions of Virginia.”

In their recognition of Governor McDonnell, Southern Business & Development Magazine wrote:

“Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell, a Republican from Northern Virginia, won 59% of the vote and was sworn in as Governor of Virginia on January 16, 2010. He received more votes than any governor in Virginia history. When it comes to economic development, it looks like those voters knew what they were doing. McDonnell already is being compared with former Gov. George Allen, whose term in the 1990s brought Virginia its best economic development years in state history.

The first executive order by Gov. McDonnell once in office was to establish the Chief Job Creation Officer and the Governor's Economic Development and Job Creation Commission. McDonnell has made job creation a priority since he took office a little more than a year ago. In his inaugural address, the Virginia Governor said, "the creation of new job opportunities for all our citizens is the obligation or our time."

The following is a full list of the Virginia organizations and their category included in Southern Business & Development’s Top Ten list:

• Ten People Who Made A Difference – Governor Bob McDonnell
• Ten Notable Collective Economic Development Efforts in the South
  • Southern Virginia Regional Alliance
  • Mid-Atlantic Broadband Cooperative
  • Hampton Roads Economic Development Authority
• The Ten Best Automotive Assembly Plant Sites in the Southern Auto Corridor
  • Mid-Atlantic Advanced Manufacturing Center - Emporia, VA
• The Ten Best Data Center Sites in the South
  • Scott County Regional Business and Technology Park – Duffield, VA
  • QTS – Richmond, VA
  • GigaParks – Various locations in Southern Virginia

Established in 1992, Southern Business & Development Magazine is the only print and online source covering and promoting economic development in the South. The magazine reports on economic development opportunities in the South but is designed to be read by executives and other decision makers from outside the region. The magazine publishes an annual Top Ten list of different economic development classifications.

A full list of all Top Ten categories and recognitions can be found here.

###

• View "Plan For Land in Greensville Could Bring More Than 1,000 Jobs to the Area" on WTVR's website
• View "New Jobs to Southside" on WTVR's website

MAMaC is a 1,545 acre mega site certified by McCallum Sweeney Consulting. MAMaC is located in Greensville County north of Emporia with direct access to the CSX mainline rail and approximately 1.3 miles of frontage along Interstate 95. The development of the project will be transformational for the entire 60 mile radius surrounding the site. Greensville County Administrator David Whittington said the MAMaC site is the only certified “mega-site” in Virginia, and one of only 10 in the U.S. He also stated that five other certified “mega-sites” across the country had already been sold, with each site averaging more than $1 billion in investment and creating on average more than 1,000 jobs.

Bernard Jones, Chair, Brunswick County Board of Supervisors stated that “the decision of Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission to award the Mid-Atlantic Advanced Manufacturing Center $6.5 million to purchase and develop the industrial site strengthens Southside Virginia's positioning as a premier global market for economic growth and development; and supports Brunswick County Board of Supervisor's commitment to work collaboratively with the County of Greensville, and neighboring localities, to grow our local economy.”

City of Emporia Mayor Sam Adams adds, "We appreciate this grant award from the Tobacco Commission. This project should serve to provide many job opportunities for our residents in the years to come."

Peggy R. Wiley, Chair, Greensville County Board of Supervisors stated that “the decision by the Tobacco Commission to fund MAMaC will have a profoundly beneficial impact on the ability of Southside Virginia, working together, to effectively compete in the global marketplace for new job growth and substantial private investment.”

Regional economic impact analysis indicates an economic benefit ranging from $2.8 billion and 2,487 permanent jobs for an advanced manufacturing center, to $3.7 billion and 3,297 permanent jobs for an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) such as Toyota or Volkswagen.

The Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission is a 31-member body created by the 1999 General Assembly. Its mission is the promotion of economic growth and development in tobacco-dependent communities, using proceeds of the national tobacco settlement. To date, the Commission has awarded 1,365 grants totaling more than $763.7 million across the tobacco region of the Commonwealth, and has provided $234 million in indemnification payments to tobacco growers and quota holders The Tobacco Commission Mega
Site grant program is a four part opportunity for communities to advance the development of their large scale industrial sites. MAMaC is one of only seven sites in the Tobacco Commission Region to receive funding from the program.

For more information, visit the MAMaC website at www.mamacva.com.

This announcement is made possible by a grant from the Virginia Tobacco Commission that awards Greensville County $1,502,622 to be used for the construction of Phase III. " I am delighted that Greensville County was successful in obtaining grants from the Virginia Tobacco Commission to help develop the Employment Enhancement Center," said Delegate Tommy Wright (R-61st) of Lunenburg County, a member of the Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission. "It is extremely important that the expanded SVEC will be able to provide highly trained workers for existing and anticipated industries in Greensville County and Southside Virginia."

The Tobacco Commission joins other local, state and federal agencies that are providing financial support of the third phase of SVEC. Financial support is being provided by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, the U.S. Department of Education, Rural Development and Greensville County. The entire project budget is approximately $5.0 million.

The first phase of SVEC is the Southside Virginia Workforce Development Center. It is one of eight campuses of the Southside Virginia Community College as well as being the regional office of the Southside Programs for Adult Continuing Education. It also contains 10 classrooms as well as other miscellaneous office spaces. Educational opportunities are also offered by Mary Baldwin College and Longwood College, both of which are 4 year accredited Virginia colleges. The facility is served by state of the art technology including broadband services made possible by the cooperation of the Mid-Atlantic Broadband Cooperative as well as distance learning opportunities within the Southside Community College network.

The second phase of SVEC is the Golden Leaf Commons, a 9,000 square foot facility complete with a full catering kitchen. The Golden Leaf Commons is used as a community facility as well as an enhancement to the adult education facility used by employers when addressing large groups of employees. It is also designed as an emergency services shelter for use when the Governor declares an emergency.

The third phase of the SVEC is the Employment Enhancement Center. It will contain additional classrooms for the Southside Virginia Community College, Longwood College and a high production manufacturing lab and an industrial arts lab. Both labs have been requested by local industries. In addition, Phase III will allow Greensville County to establish a Comprehensive One Stop Center. The Virginia Employment Center as well as the Department of Rehabilitative Services, the Improvement Association, and the Area Agency on Aging will join the Southside Virginia Community College and the Southside Programs for Adult Continuing Education in Phase III. The expanded SVEC will be an important facility and resource to provide workforce training services to Southside Virginia. This is particularly important as Southside Virginia develops the Mid Atlantic Advanced Manufacturing Center (MAMaC), the only mega site in Virginia, North Carolina and Maryland that has received certification by McCallum Sweeney Consulting. MAMaC is also located on Interstate 95, Exit 13, less than one half mile west of the SVEC. Information on MAMaC is available at www.MAMaCVA.com.

Designation opens doors to potential automotive assembly plant opportunities