Local economy Tech clusters will keep us prosperous

by Lee Beach, Executive Director of the Hampton Roads Research Partnership and a member of the Hampton Roads Technology Council. He can be reached by e-mail at LBeach@HamptonRoadsRP.org. Originally published in Inside Business on 5/18/09 and reprinted here by permission of the author.

Some believe the national economy has entered a period of sustained decline. Others may worry that, in a severe recession, the country will lose its preeminence in matters scientific and technological as investors and investment turns elsewhere. From where I sit, neither appears to be true, particularly in the case of Hampton Roads.

Partly that has to do with the region’s considerable support from the federal government. But I believe the main reason is “homegrown.” One only has to look at the substantial progress being made locally to see that technology-based economic development is thriving and accelerating. That progress can be attributed to a growing number of partnerships that are concentrating on real products for the marketplace.

That’s where the Hampton Roads Research Partnership comes in. We’re in our ninth year and are currently a consortium of seven colleges and universities, two federal laboratories and a research institute: Christopher Newport University; College of William and Mary; Eastern Virginia Medical School; Hampton University; Norfolk State University; Old Dominion University; Virginia Wesleyan College; Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility, or JLab; NASA Langley Research Center and National Institute of Aerospace.

Applied-technology-wise, these are a group of heavy-hitters. Our members receive many millions of dollars to support research and technology efforts, and for good reason. No one should think the recipients are conducting ivory-tower exercises, suitable only for the rarified air of the cloistered laboratory. Our institutions are pursuing useful projects that are having or will have substantial impact on our daily lives.

This application of laboratory know-how creates real-world jobs, bringing in much-needed revenue, giving birth to companies which, as they mature, create even more opportunities as well as their own spinoffs. That translates locally into what we are calling “technology clusters.” We at the research partnership think, and are betting on, the viability of Hampton Roads clusters to create not just a small-scale nexus of prosperity, but a model for the regional economy. Our premise in creating clusters in 2004 was to gain the power to compete on an equal footing with other areas in the country by leveraging existing strengths in judiciously selected disciplines. The three technology clusters that we chose – bioscience, modeling and simulation, and sensors – have a critical mass of expertise and proven economic viability in Hampton Roads, and so made sense from every point of view that we considered.

Here, I should mention the critical financial support we’ve received from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration, under the terms of awards to Norfolk State University and the Hampton Roads Partnership. Without the EDA grants we simply couldn’t have accomplished what we have; simply put, the EDA has made HRRP clusters a reality.

The cluster model has as its fundamental premise that proactively facilitating relationships between technology generators like universities and federal labs and technology users like industry will ultimately produce prosperity for all. Traditionally in Hampton Roads, many of our companies do not have relationships with the regional universities, do not know how to partner and work closely with them, and, particularly, if intellectual property is involved, are wary of potential problems likely to arise.

A key cluster goal is to help companies in each technology area make good decisions in finding the best university/lab expertise or partners for their particular needs (and vice versa). This is a time-consuming process that often involves facilitation of initial and then subsequent contacts between interested parties, and involves multiple industry and university personnel. It’s taken a while, but we’re already starting to generate results.

In April of last year, for instance, we organized a business-academia roundtable that took place during the fifth annual research exposition at Old Dominion. Roundtable talks centered on how successful firms are bridging the gap between potentially profitable ideas and their viability as a commercial application or product.

This year, in mid-February, we co-sponsored a half-day symposium in Suffolk at the Virginia Modeling Analysis and Simulation Center that featured some of the extraordinarily advanced research in biosensors under way in Hampton Roads. Panelists reviewed biosensor projects that are in the development stage and that are creating opportunity for collaboration with locally based academia and industry, and several collaborative projects are in the works as a result of the event. A perspective on the potential for bioscience can be found at http://www.HamptonRoadsRP.org/Bioscience Survey Final Report.pdf.

The bottom line: Our clusters are thriving, gaining traction and membership. We continue to develop activities to help them mature and flourish.

But don’t take my word for it. Visit our website http://www.HamptonRoadsRP.org and see for yourself. One innovation at a time, our economic development future is indeed taking shape.

Creating Green Jobs: Algae-to-Biodiesel Research at ODU

In conjunction with the Virginia Coastal Energy Research Consortium, Old Dominion University researchers have developed an algae-growing farm and biodiesel production facility. They are trying to determine the most effective means to grow and harvest algae and the most efficient way to convert it to biodiesel.

From Virginia Business Magazine, April 2009

More on ODU's efforts: www.ODU.edu

ODU’s Maritime Institute, comparing American and European ports

by Andrew Sinclair, Hampton Roads Partnership Program Manager

On Monday morning, March 30 Thanos Pallis, a professor in the Department of Shipping, Trade & Transport at the University of the Aegean in Greece (and visiting Fulbright Scholar at the Center for Energy, Marine Transportation & Public Policy at Columbia University), gave a presentation at Nauticus as part of ODU’s Maritime Institute Speaker Series. Dr. Pallis’ remarks focused on the current trends in European port operations and the efforts to create a consistent European Port Policy.

Overall, it seems that European and US ports face the same issues: infrastructure upgrades, traffic congestion, needed warehouse space, consolidation and location of distribution centers/logistics parks, expedited connections inland, etc. The perceived primary user of transportation infrastructure is a notable difference, as Dr. Pallis’ ninth slide indicates: rather than noting the number of trucks on the road, it indicates the number of passenger cars slowing down port truck traffic! The environment and the impact on it by port operations seems also to be of a greater concern in Europe, perhaps because there are not clear and consistent procedures on how to evaluate and mitigate environmental impacts as there is in the US. Finally, Europe is seeing a trend of port alliances and mergers unlike in the US, including mergers across national borders: specifically, all the Scandinavia ports recently consolidated under one authority.

Comparing European and American Ports

View this presentation in a new browser window; click on "Full" to view full screen; click on "Download" to download the presentation to your own computer.

Governor Kaine speaks at Blue Planet Forum

Governor Tim Kaine will be guest speaker at the next Blue Planet Forum lecture, sponsored by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF), Nauticus, NOAA, and Old Dominion University, on Wednesday, May 6, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. For more information or to RSVP to attend, click here or call the CBF office at 622-1964.

Gov. Kaine is a fervent supporter of the Chesapeake Bay on a national level, calling for more federal attention, money and regulatory clout for the Bay. He has encouraged President Obama to press Congress to take actions in support of the Bay, including the creation of a "Clean Water Trust Fund."

Gov. Kaine has also urged President Obama to declare the Bay "a national treasure," a status that would elevate the cleanup's importance in Congress and in public debate.

Also, on Friday, April 10th at noon, tune in to hear CBF's own Christy Everett and others on WHRV's 89.5 HearSay with Cathy Lewis for a discussion about the ecological and economic health of the Chesapeake Bay and other major Hampton Roads waterways. Or click here to stream it.

Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities honors HRP Members

Hampton Roads Partnership Board Members News:

John Broderick, Acting President of Old Dominion University, and Charles Henderson, Hampton Roads President of Bank of America, were among the honorees on April 2nd to receive the 2009 Humanitarian Award, an accolade for individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to the promotion of respect and understanding among people of diverse racial, ethnic, and religious backgrounds.

The Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities is a human relations organization that promotes inclusion, challenges assumptions, and advances understanding through dialogue, experiential learning, and education.

Each year, the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities conducts educational programs, conferences, retreats, and workshops for thousands of youth, educators, community members, non-profit organizations, and corporate and business leaders. These events and experiences teach participants not simply to notice differences, but also to respect variety in race, religion, and culture. We deliver our message in schools, houses of worship, the community, and in the workplace.

HRP members gain opportunity to compete for modeling and simulation work

The U.S. Army Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training and Instrumentation (PEO STRI) in Orlando, FL awarded contracts in both the full and open and small business categories to Hampton-based Zel Technologies, represented on the Hampton Roads Partnership Board of Directors (HRP) by President Jack Ezzell.

The awards allow Zel Technologies to compete for $17.5 billion in contracts over the next 10 years. The ZelTech team is composed of regional businesses including Portsmouth-based MYMIC LLC and Newport News-based Hampton Roads Technology, LLC, as well as HRP university members Hampton University, Old Dominion University and Norfolk State University.

Under these contracts, the team will compete for task orders to provide a broad range of modeling & simulation (M&S) and instrumentation solutions in support of PEO STRI customer training and testing requirements. Key focus areas include procurement and/or services in support of training and testing simulators, simulations, systems/devices, instrumentation systems, telecommunications systems, experimentation, targets, gaming, advanced simulation concepts, and open architecture, and common part and component solutions.

ZelTech has a long history of serving defense and intelligence customers by providing engineering and technical services and creating custom software solutions and visualization technologies. The partnership with two companies from opposite ends of Hampton Roads, along with academic experts who possess a growing body of experience with major modeling and simulation projects, shows how a regional approach to advancing this industry sector is paying dividends.

ODU's economic forecast: Hits and Misses

Approximately 250 attended the Old Dominion University Regional Economic Forecast held on January 14th in downtown Norfolk. ODU Professors of Economics Dr. Gilbert R. Yochum and Dr. Vinod B. Agarwal and Professor of Finance Dr. Mohammad Najand shared their hits and misses from last year’s and shared their forecast for 2009.

For 2008, the forecasters hit the mark on predictions in the Hampton Roads economy, including job growth, retail sales and the port's cargo traffic. In their forecast for 2008, they failed to foresee the declines in taxable sales and hotel revenues in the region.

Highlighted projections:

• Despite a national recession, Hampton Roads isn't expected to land in a recession in 2009. National relief won't come until late 2010.
• Residential home building, the port and the tourism industry will hinder growth in 2009.
• Increased defense spending will stimulate growth in Hampton Roads' economy, including higher pay for service members.
• Home prices for single-family homes are expected to drop 5%. After a drop of almost 30% in 2008, housing permit value will drop another 21.4%. On the bright side, the region's housing is becoming more affordable.
• Unemployment rate to rise from a projected 4.3% in 2008 to 5.6% in 2009. In contrast to rampant job losses occurring elsewhere, Hampton Roads will add about 1,600 jobs this year, largely at companies that provide professional and business services and health care services
• Taxable retail sales in Hampton Roads will drop 3.1% after a 4.1% decline in 2008.
• Hotel revenue to drop 2.7%.
• General cargo tonnage will drop 4.3% until the nation's retail sales begin to recover.
• The region's inflation-adjusted output of goods and services will expand by a lackluster 0.6 %, well below the average annual growth rate of 3.3% for Hampton Roads during the past 45 years but compares favorably with the 1.8% decline predicted for gross domestic product nationwide.

For several years, ODU's forecasting team has been able to predict major trends in the Hampton Roads economy, including job growth, retail sales and the port's cargo traffic. In their forecast for 2008, they failed to foresee the declines in taxable sales and hotel revenues in the region.

However, the team accurately predicted that the cost of oil at $100 a barrel or higher would push the country into a recession. The team also forecast that credit defaults would hamper the nation's economic growth, which would prompt aggressive cuts in interest rates by the Federal Reserve and government efforts to stimulate the economy.

As you can see, the unforeseen current state of the economy has already taken its toll on some of ODU's forecast for 2009.

Mayor Fraim says, “This is a crisis of the first order …”

Photo by City of Norfolk

Highlights of Mayor Paul D. Fraim’s State of the City address made on February 6, 2009 at the Marriott Waterside:

Norfolk faces a budget deficit of up to $10 million this year and more than $40 million in the next fiscal year. While there is bad news, there are many new, large construction projects in play.

New construction in Norfolk, from light rail to the $170 million Wachovia Center office tower to four large apartment projects, will total $1.1 billion in 2009. Additionally, new building projects will, hopefully, soon start on the campuses of Old Dominion, Norfolk State and Eastern Virginia Medical School as well as the 26-story downtown Westin Hotel and convention center. Few cities our size have this amount of construction in play to keep people working, to keep companies in business and put money back into the economy. This will serve as a bridge until nationwide recovery begins.

Of high importance is the General Assembly’s refusal to provide revenue for transportation improvements in all of Hampton Roads. We have a regional plan approved by the Metropolitan Planning Organization, but no funding.

For decades, Virginia has distributed funds for the construction and improvement of roads in its cities through a defined urban allocation program. This is the primary source of money for Norfolk to improve local roads, and it is dwindling. The allocation to Norfolk, which was $14.7 million in 1996, shrank to $5.8 million dollars this year and will drop to less than $3.5 million dollars next year. VDOT is now advising Virginia cities there will be no urban allocation at all as soon as 2010.

Not only is there no money for a regional transportation network, soon there will be none for local roads within Norfolk and every other city in Virginia. There will be no money for congestion relief, no money for economic expansion and only a few dollars for pot holes.

This is a crisis of the first order and must be addressed as a serious problem by state lawmakers. The free flow of commerce is key to our economic prosperity. With over 200,000 jobs in the city, nearly half are filled by commuters. If we accomplish nothing else, we MUST find a solution to the transportation funding gridlock.

State aid also comprises 41% of Norfolk’s general fund, paying for basic services like schools, public safety, road maintenance, social services and support for constitutional offices. More than $5 million in state aid reductions will need to be absorbed in Norfolk’s operating budget in the current fiscal year and another $22.5 million in next year’s budget due to the state’s budget shortfall.

Approximately 75% of the budget is related to personnel cost. Some downsizing of the workforce can be expected as well as the continuation of the current hiring freeze.

The region’s economy is projected to outperform the State and national economies in 2009. And, the historically insulating effect of the military and the Port should keep recession at bay. Defense spending rose 4.5 to 4.9% over the last two years, and this year it’s expected to increase by another 4.5%.

Hampton Roads was one of only seven large U.S. metropolitan areas adding jobs in 2008. Our workforce grew by nearly 1.5%, leading Northern Virginia in job growth as a percentage of the workforce. Source: U.S. Labor Department.

Other new work includes the consolidated courts complex and a new $50 million central library (will be the most technologically advanced library in the country).

Revenues are down at the Port for the first time in 30 years and falling cargo volumes has delayed the start of construction of Craney Island.

We’ve hired a Manager of Environmental Protection Programs to lead efforts to incorporate sustainability into municipal operations, and new city buildings are being designed to meet industry standards for green building.

Norfolk’s downtown has come a long way since 1980 resulting in new office buildings, new hotels and educational assets , new retail and residential development , a growing tax base valued at $1.6 billion generating $18 million annually in revenue.

Last year, Norfolk experienced our highest hotel revenues ever (approximately $105 million).

The Tide (light rail) will begin service next year with downtown access greatly improved and new development will occur around transit stops.

Ghent will see the completion of “201 at 21,” a $41 million development of 212 apartment units, 15,000-plus square feet of retail and parking.

Much community redevelopment is going on in the city, but there is still more to do – the crime rate needs to be lower, homeownership rates need to be higher and code enforcement better. City council has approved a Youth Violence Prevention Initiative led by a Task Force that will include citizen representation; the effort will take a comprehensive approach emphasizing prevention, intervention and suppression. City-wide, the violent crime rate remained flat. And we were all gratified that the murder rate dropped 42%.

Real progress continues at this three-year juncture into Norfolk’s ten-year plan to end homelessness. Families account for 20% of our homeless population, a number as high as 40% elsewhere in the region. In answer, the Faith Partnership, has been launched, an initiative to help support homeless families as they move from crisis to self-sufficiency by drawing on the talent and experience in the faith community. To date, 11 congregations have signed on as partners. This year our hope is to more closely involve our business community in this effort.

Secondary Education:
Last year, a $4.7 million grant from the Norfolk Foundation allowed Smart Beginnings South Hampton Roads to launch school readiness plans in Norfolk and four neighboring cities to help children start school ready to learn. Student achievement continues to improve. 44 of Norfolk’s 49 public schools have earned full SOL accreditation – that’s 90%. All five high schools are fully accredited, all but one of the division’s elementary schools and 5 of the 9 middle schools. There is work underway to bring them into compliance.

Educational accolades and awards:
• Newsweek Magazine ranked Granby and Maury in the top 5% of public high schools for the 2nd year.
• Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation cited Granby H.S. as one of three schools nationwide providing high-level math classes to help prepare students to be college and career-ready.
• U. S. Department of Education named Ocean View Elementary as one of 11 schools in Virginia (only school in Hampton Roads) a 2008 “No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon School. “
• Terrel H. Bell Award for School Leadership went to Ocean View’s principal, Lauren Campsen, one of only five principals from 320 Blue Ribbon schools.
• “No Child Left Behind American Star of Teaching Award” from the U. S. Department of Education went to Booker T. Washington High School teacher Shameka Hardy, one of only 51 educators to be honored.
• Virginia Governor’s Award for Educational Excellence went to Poplar Hall Elementary, Willoughby Elementary and the School of International Studies at Meadowbrook.

Higher Education:
The Downtown Norfolk campus of Tidewater Community College (with an enrollment increase of 13+% last year) is growing with a $17.6 million student center building starting in the spring.
Eastern Virginia Medical School marked its 35th anniversary in 2008 and is moving forward on a state-of-the-art education and research building, allowing enrollment to grow nearly 30% to help meet the demand.

At ODU’s Innovation Research Park, a $27.8 million student fitness center has just opened, and construction is underway on the second building. A new student counseling center and improvements to the university’s arts center are in the planning stage.

Norfolk State University is scheduled to break ground for a $47 million library and a $28 million student center. Planning for a new nursing building is presently underway while a state-of-the-art police headquarters opened over the summer.

U.S. News and World Report named Virginia Wesleyan one of the country’s best liberal arts colleges and the Princeton Review labeled VWU the Best Southeastern College.

“It is the strength of your commitment that energizes me and my fellow city council members and that makes it a privilege to serve you,” ended Mayor Fraim.

The full text of Mayor Fraim’s speech may be found on the City of Norfolk’s website: http://www.norfolk.gov/City_Hall/soc/2009/2009.pdf

Hollywood and Sundance in Hampton Roads

MARCH 25-28 • A 4-DAY CELEBRATION
OF INDIE FILMS FROM AROUND THE WORLD!

Spend an evening with actor Richard Dreyfuss on Wednesday, March 25th hosted by Cathy Lewis of 89.5 WHRV FM / WHRO in the Big Blue Room, the Ted Constant Center at Old Dominion University.

http://onfilmfest.com

ODU-Norfolk Film Festival

View more documents from HamptonRoadsPartnership.

March 25-28 ODU - Norfolk Film Festival

Visit the ONFilm Fest website for updated schedule.

Enjoy special guest Richard Dreyfuss, view the Winning Films Marathon, partake of the "Woman in Filmmaking in Hampton Roads" Panel, be inspired at the Film Production Career Expo, celebrate at the Festival Gala. Thanks to the Hampton Roads Film Office for helping to make the festival possible.

Download your own ODU - Norfolk / ONFilm Festival poster HERE.

VANNO and VOLUNTEER Hampton Roads Town Hall Meeting

Interested in successful, mutually beneficial relationships between government, business and nonprofits?


Join VANNO and VOLUNTEER Hampton Roads at a Town Hall Meeting March 12th in Norfolk, Virginia to collaborate and network with fellow nonprofit leaders and representatives from the government and business communities discussing local and regional challenges and opportunities including workforce development, infrastructure, nonprofit efficiency and transportation issues.

Panel participants are:

Nancy Bagranoff, Old Dominion University Dean of the College of Business and Public Administration;

Dana Dickens, Hampton Roads Partnership President and CEO;

and

Suzanne Puryear, The Planning Council President


When: Thursday, March 12, 8:30am-11:00am
Where: VOLUNTEER Hampton Roads' Nonprofit Leadership Development Center, 400 West Olney Road, Suite B, Norfolk


Register HERE now. Cost is only $15, $20 for non-members and covers the continental breakfast included. (HRP members can register at the VHR rate $15, just enter the discount code provided in the on-line registration process.)


VANNO: a member network connecting nonprofit organizations throughout Virginia, striving to ensure all Virginia nonprofits are educated, engaged and equipped to serve their communities, and their voices are heard by public policy makers.

VOLUNTEER Hampton Roads: strengthening nonprofits so that as a collective force, we make our community a better place for everyone, accomplished through service programs in Nonprofit Training, Corporate Programming and Volunteerism.

HRP members are among 2009 Outstanding Faculty Award Recipients

Governor Timothy M. Kaine honored 12 Virginia educators recently as recipients of 2009 Outstanding Faculty Award for excellence in teaching, research and public service.

“These faculty members were selected by academic and business leaders as exemplary educators committed to student learning, beneficial research endeavors, and community volunteerism,” Governor Kaine said. “They represent the unique missions of their institutions and have helped make the Commonwealth’s higher education system one of the finest in the nation.”

The following HRP member universities are represented among the 2009 Virginia Outstanding Faculty Award Recipients:

• Lizabeth A. Allison, the Dorman Family Term Distinguished Professor of Biology at the College of William & Mary, internationally recognized scholar in the field of traffic control in cells.

• Christopher Howard, the Pamela C. Harriman Professor of Government and Public Policy at the College of William & Mary, a leading expert on U.S. social policy and tax policy.

• Lawrence J. Hatab, the Louis I. Jaffe Professor of Philosophy and University Professor at Old Dominion University.

• Lawrence Weinstein, Professor of Physics at Old Dominion University, internationally recognized for his work in electron scattering nuclear physics.

Photos and additional biographical information about each of this year’s recipients can be found on the web at www.schev.edu.

The College of William & Mary also made Princeton Review's "Best Value" list, ranking No. 3 in best value in public education.

Simulation industry to face real world challenges

A lack of money and a lack of computer-savvy students stand in the way of growth.

BY HUGH LESSIG
February 3, 2009

NORFOLK - The modeling and simulation industry has great growth potential, but it faces political and educational challenges that are all too real, experts said Monday.

If industry executives sit on the sideline while Congress considers multibillion-dollar economic stimulus proposals they risk losing a financial lifeline, said U.S. Rep. Randy Forbes, R-Chesapeake, a fierce critic of the various rescue plans.

Meanwhile, colleges and universities must reach out to find the young computer scientists and math wizards who can grow the industry. One educator said the shortage of qualified people is a chronic problem.

The comments came at the 4th annual Modeling and Simulation Leadership Summit in downtown Norfolk. It brought together scores of professionals from the military, NASA Langley Research Center, major universities and companies such as Boeing, General Dynamics, Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman.

The event was co-hosted by a congressional caucus devoted to the industry, which Forbes co-chairs. Addressing the conference over lunch, he said the industry must fight for every available dime.

"There is a debate and a dialogue that we must have in this country," he said, "or else everything you do in this room is going to be overshadowed."

The House of Representatives passed an $819 billion economic stimulus plan last week and President Barack Obama is urging the Senate to take up the matter. But Forbes — one of a handful of lawmakers who has rejected every bailout plan from day one — said the cost is so high it would equal the budgets for several major agencies.

"You need to be part of that debate," he said, "because it's going to be a very, very real part of your future, of what we do in modeling and simulation and the defense of this country for years to come."

Judging from the various panel discussions, modeling and simulation has moved well beyond its initial applications for the military, although that relationship helps to support the economy in Hampton Roads. The Virginia Modeling, Analysis and Simulation Center is located in Suffolk, as is the U.S. Joint Forces Command's Joint Warfighting Center.

Health care is a growing field, as surgeons use computer modeling to practice new or risky techniques. Steve Dawson, an associate professor at Harvard Medical School, said simulated training has been linked to fewer errors and lower rates of malpractice insurance.

Transportation is another applicable area. Dana Dickens, CEO and president of the Hampton Roads Partnership, said a computer model allowed policymakers to gauge the effectiveness of six major transportation projects in the region.

But when asked to name the biggest challenge to growing the industry, Dickens had a ready answer.

"Work force," he said.

Old Dominion University, which runs the modeling and simulation center, offers graduate degrees in modeling and simulation, but that is a rarity.

Georgia Tech recently established a division within its College of Computing that seeks to develop modeling and simulation experts. Richard Fujimoto, its founder, said there has been a steady decline of students entering the computer science field since the dot-com bubble burst nearly a decade ago.

"That trend," he said, "is only starting to bottom out."

Reprinted by permission of The Daily Press.

An industry ready to grow: Modeling and simulation

by Bob Harper

I was happy to see the op-ed by Dana Dickens, president and CEO of the Hampton Roads Partnership, included in the Dec. 28 edition of the Daily Press followed by a staff editorial on Dec. 31 on the same subject. Both lauded Gov. Tim Kaine's continued financial support in these lean budgetary times of ODU's Virginia Modeling, Analysis and Simulation Center (VMASC) located in Suffolk. An important distinction is that VMASC also serves as the region's modeling and simulation industry association by virtue of corporate memberships in its consortium.

As mentioned by Dickens, we have enjoyed a significant positive economic impact for the region through modeling, simulation and visualization (MS&V) since VMASC was established. Yet, much of this relates to the Department of Defense piece of MS&V and may not be sustainable in future defense budgets. So, while we have done well with the MS&V industry thus far, the question to ask ourselves is are we prepared well enough to capitalize on these great MS&V opportunities?

When one looks at the region with an economic development viewpoint, one cannot help but be confused. Hampton Roads has a complex and cluttered business landscape with several organizations playing roles in regional economic development. These roles at times overlap, at times conflict, and at times prevent us from achieving our full potential as a region. Every one of the organizations involved has a legitimate role to play in either promoting the region as a good place for business or supporting technology-based economic growth, which includes MS&V. How do we obtain a unity of effort among these well-meaning organizations to achieve the best possible outcome for the region?

What is needed is a comprehensive, regional approach to MS&V economic development. This starts with regional leadership. Dickens' own organization, the Hampton Roads Partnership, has the clearest mandate for this leadership role, linked in tandem to VMASC. The Hampton Roads Partnership and VMASC should jointly and in partnership establish the leadership of the Hampton Roads MS&V economic development efforts and coordinate the creation of a regional strategy for maximizing the economic impact of MS&V. We should encourage actions that link our region technically, that tie in the Peninsula with the Southside, modeling our own communities, and develop a unifying vision similar to "America's First Region" to market Hampton Roads with a common MS&V language.

Many areas should be addressed as part of the Hampton Roads modeling and simulation strategy. It all starts, though, with leadership, and we are blessed with two great organizations — the Hampton Roads Partnership and VMASC — around which we can coalesce a collaborative and coordinated effort to build on the wonderful economic opportunities we possess. As stated in the Daily Press editorial, we are second in the nation behind Orlando, Fla., regarding modeling, simulation and visualization. Why are we not first?

Bob Harper, who lives in Hampton and is employed by Northrop Grumman, was appointed by Gov. Tim Kaine to the Virginia Modeling and Simulation Advisory Council and previously chaired the advisory board of the Virginia Modeling, Analysis and Simulation Center at ODU.

Modeling and simulation industry can spur our economic recovery

by Dana Dickens, President and CEO of Hampton Roads Partnership

Gov. Tim Kaine's proposed state budget will require plenty of belt-tightening in Hampton Roads, but there is some good news for the region. The governor wants to maintain funding near its current level for Old Dominion University's Virginia Modeling, Analysis and Simulation Center (VMASC), and his strategy makes perfect sense.

The relatively new industry of modeling, simulation and visualization (MS&V), is the kind of economic development that can speed Virginia's recovery during challenging economic times. Currently, more than 125 engineering graduate students at ODU are conducting research and studying at VMASC, gaining the qualifications they need to fill jobs in a variety of businesses and industries throughout Hampton Roads.

MS&V comprises numerous planning, analysis and training tools made possible by sophisticated computing. These tools can suggest and test concepts, minimizing reliance upon trial and error, and they can present information in ways that enhance comprehension. For example, the tools might teach a medical student how to perform a surgical procedure without putting an actual patient in harm's way. Other applications are seen in simulations to test aircraft designs, in vehicular traffic models to simulate — and improve — flow along highways, in video games to teach algebra, and in models to predict the performance of a soldier or an athlete. Artificial intelligence, robotics and virtual environments also are part of MS&V.

An economic impact study released earlier this year by Angle Technology found that MS&V enterprises in the region provide more than 4,000 high- wage jobs. These workers earn an average annual salary of $83,000, up by 37 percent since 2004 and more than double the average for all Hampton Roads workers. Furthermore, the MS&V industry adds at least $365 million to the Hampton Roads economy, and MS&V employment rose 25 percent between 2004 and 2007 with forecasted growth of 14.5 percent each year through 2012.

VMASC, established by ODU in 1997, has been a catalyst for growth in the MS&V sector, not just in the region but across the commonwealth. VMASC experts also have been called upon by the General Assembly to conduct studies and make recommendations on policy matters ranging from road construction to disaster planning.

VMASC's mission is to educate leaders in this field, to conduct cutting-edge research, to nurture start-up companies and to create jobs. Independent surveys taken since 2004 show that the center is succeeding in its mission, and the governor sees great value in this investment.

The $2.1-million budget proposal for VMASC proposed by Kaine demonstrates his faith in the economic development stimulus of the MS&V industry in Virginia, and the unique role that VMASC plays in educating leaders in this field.

MS&V growth in the region reflects the support of leaders in government, education and industry who believe Virginia, especially Hampton Roads, can become an international leader in this high-technology field.

I applaud the governor for his efforts to keep MS&V as a key component of his economic development plan for Virginia. It is this kind of strategic investment that will allow us to weather the current financial storm and emerge vibrant and prosperous.

ODU - Explaining the Economic Crisis Faculty Forum

Nancy Bagranoff, dean of the ODU College of Business and Public Administration, moderated a discussion held Wednesday, Oct. 22nd. Five of ODU's top economics experts from the business faculty participated in a panel discussion on the current economic crisis. The forum panel members were: Larry Filer, associate professor of economics, Sylvia Hudgins, professor of finance, Mike Stein, associate professor of accounting, and Gilbert Yochum, professor of economics.

View Video of ODU's Business School Economic Crisis Faculty Forum

ODU HONORS DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI DURING FOUNDERS' DAY PROGRAM

L to R: ROTC Cadet Delk, Dana Dickens and John Broderick, ODU's Interim President Photo Credit: Stephanie Goodie

On Friday, October 10th, E. Dana Dickens III, President/CEO of HRP was presented with the Albert B. "Buck" Gornto Jr. Regional Service Award for his outstanding commitment and service to the Hampton Roads region of Virginia. Dana came to HRP in 2005 with a distinguished background in public service in Hampton Roads, having served as vice chairman on the Suffolk Planning Commission and chair of the Subcommittee on Ordinances as well as Suffolk City Council. Dana also became the first ever "rookie" councilman elected mayor, serving two terms as mayor.

Dana currently sits on the boards of the Virginia High Speed Rail Development Committee and the Urban Land Institute. In 2006, Gov. Timothy Kaine appointed Dana to the Commonwealth Transportation Board.

Old Dominion University (ODU) Distinguished Alumni Awards went to:
• Maj. Gen. John Bednarek '75, biology
• Michael A. Franklin '95, health sciences
• Larry Kittelberger '75, MBA
• Shamina Singh '91, political science
• George T. Singley III '77 ME
and
• Tommy Smigiel '00, interdisciplinary studies-elementary/middle school education - assistant principal at Norfolk's Granby High School, 2008 Virginia Teacher of the Year and one of four finalists for National Teacher of the Year.

ODU Community Service Award was presented to Donald J.P. Swift, eminent scholar of ocean, earth and atmospheric sciences at ODU.

Town-N-Gown Rita M. Costello Community Service Award recipients were:
Jerry A. Bridges, executive director of the Virginia Port Authority (VPA) and HRP Board Member
and
Beverly K. Sell, coordinator for Five Points Partnership Inc., a coalition of citizens, businesses, churches, schools and city public safety representatives working toward revitalization the Norview area of Norfolk, also operating Five Points Community Farm Market.

Distinguished Entrepreneurial Award recipient was Luke M. Hillier '94, chairman and CEO of ADS Inc.