Welcome to SmartRegion.org's newest blogger links

Municipal Reference Library Radar is a current awareness blog brought to the Hampton Roads region by the Virginia Beach Public Library.

Virginia Intelligent Transportation Systems is an informational resource dedicated to the advocation and promotion of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) in the Commonwealth of Virginia and surrounding region.

SmartRegion.org welcomes other Hampton Roads topical bloggers to link here for the benefit of the entire Hampton Roads region! Please submit to: Contact@HRP.org

John R. Broderick selected as Old Dominion University's 8th President

The Board of Visitors today in a unanimous decision appointed John R. Broderick as the eighth president of Old Dominion University. Broderick, who has served as acting president since June 2008, was given a two-year contract effective May 18.

"Over the past year, John Broderick has deftly navigated Old Dominion University through a myriad of challenges and opportunities," said Board of Visitors Rector Ross Mugler. "His leadership through significant state budget reductions positioned the university in a more stable fiscal situation, and his implementation of a comprehensive enrollment management plan brought about a more strategic approach for ODU to increase the quality and rigor of its academics in the coming years."

Mugler added, "John impressed the board with his knowledge and experience leading ODU, his positive relationships with legislators, community leaders, faculty, students, alumni and donors, and his dedication and commitment to this university."

"I am honored that the Board of Visitors would place their confidence in me at this challenging, but exciting time in Old Dominion University's history," noted Broderick. "I pledge to continue to work hard, be creative, invite collaboration, and manage the intricate details to keep this university moving forward. I am excited to lead Old Dominion University into the future." (Read Broderick's full remarks to the Board at http://www.odu.edu/ao/news/index.php?todo=details&id=15948).

As acting president, Broderick has successfully guided the university's six colleges, more than 10 economic development and research centers, and numerous partnerships with government and business organizations and agencies. He oversees an operating budget of $411.6 million and more than 2,500 faculty and staff members.

"John has been a very effective voice for Old Dominion in government relations and his service as acting president has brought continued success to the university," said Gov. Timothy Kaine. "I know that ODU is in good hands and congratulate him on his most recent appointment."

Shortly after assuming the role of acting president, Broderick commissioned a university-wide enrollment management study that will result in the integration of all of Old Dominion's programs, practices, policies and planning to achieve optimal future enrollment and growth. The plan establishes institutional priorities and provides the basis on which to make decisions for the future of the university.

"This is a very good move by the Board of Visitors," said Paul Champagne, chair of ODU's Faculty Senate. "John Broderick has tremendous support across the campus. I'm looking forward to working with him, as are the Faculty Senate and the entire faculty."

"I am ecstatic that acting President Broderick will now be President Broderick," said Michelle R. Davis, ODU's 2008-09 student body president. "A particular quote by Donald McGannon comes to mind: 'Leadership is action, not position.' President Broderick is the epitome of action. He has proven that he will do all he can to ensure a bright future and excellent educational experience for the ODU student body."

During his tenure as acting president, Old Dominion drafted its 2009-2014 Strategic Plan, which will position the university to further develop its growing research reputation, enhance its residential campus, and strengthen its partnerships and contributions to the region.

Norfolk Mayor Paul Fraim said ODU's Board of Visitors made a clear and compelling commitment to the university's continuing role as a leader in the areas of economic development, research and education when it elected Broderick as the institution's new president.

"During his tenure as acting president, John clearly demonstrated that he has the skills, knowledge and ability to help the university meet the challenges of the future," Fraim said. "John's relationships with federal, state and local political, business and community leaders will be a major asset in the orderly growth of the university."

Tidewater Community College President Deborah DiCroce noted, "I am delighted with the appointment. Mr. Broderick is the right leader for the right time at Old Dominion University. I look forward to working with John on issues of mutual interest."

Prior to becoming acting president, Broderick served 12 years as vice president for institutional advancement and admissions, taking on the additional role of chief of staff to the president in 2003. His areas of responsibility included admissions, athletics, community relations, governmental relations, licensing, marketing, media relations, military affairs, photography, publications, student financial aid and university events.

In addition to his administrative duties, Broderick annually teaches graduate courses in the Darden College of Education.

He has been recognized for his contributions to higher education and the Hampton Roads community with the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities' Humanitarian Award, the Urban League of Hampton Roads' Marian Palmer Capps Award and the College Communicators Association Distinguished Service Award. He was a finalist for the national PR News' Professional of the Year Award.

Throughout his career, Broderick has been actively engaged in numerous community and professional organizations. He currently is a board member of the Hampton Roads Partnership, Urban League and Virginia Beach Vision, and has served for many years as a youth soccer league coach in Chesapeake.

Prior to joining Old Dominion University in 1993, Broderick was a faculty member at the University of Pittsburgh and an administrator at St. Bonaventure University. He received a bachelor's degree from Northeastern University and a graduate degree from St. Bonaventure.

Broderick succeeds Roseann Runte, who stepped down last year to accept the position of president at Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada.

Read the ODU's blog at http://www.odu.edu/ao/president/blog/

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.

Using Hip Hop to Reach Youth in Norfolk

The City of Norfolk's Public Library uses Hip Hop to engage youth and the entire community with the library. Thanks to this program, they know the library exists and it has something to offer them.

Using Hip Hop to Reach Youth in NorfolkView 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.

Posted and reprinted by permission of the City of Norfolk Communications Department. Originally seen by the City's residents in the print publication "Norfolk Quarterly," the Communications Department is allowing us to offer this information to the entire region.

SmartRegion.org welcomes other information about local community engagement efforts for the benefit of the entire Hampton Roads region! Please submit to: Contact@HRP.org

Community Solutions to Norfolk's Dropout Problem to be Highlighted at June 6 Conference

Nationally Recognized Author-Educator will be Keynote Speaker

The quest for community solutions to Norfolk's 13% public schools dropout problem continues from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 6, 2009, with a conference aimed at "Engaging the Parents and Students Beyond the School Doors" and including ideas on how parents can keep their children constructively focused -- and away from trouble -- throughout the summer.

The keynote speaker will be Salome Thomas-El, a well-known Philadelphia educator and author of the best-selling book, "I Choose to Stay: A Black Teacher Refuses to Desert the Inner City," and "The Immortality of Influence," with a forward written by actor Will Smith. The Walt Disney Co. recently purchased the movie rights to "I Choose to Stay."


Thomas-EL, currently CEO and principal of the Russell Byers Public Charter School in Philadelphia, gained national acclaim as a teacher and chess coach at Vaux Middle School where eight of his students won recognition as national chess champions. He has motivated hundreds of children in Philadelphia to attend magnet high schools, major colleges and universities and he frequently appears on C-SPAN, CNN and National Public Radio.

The June 6 conference, open to the community, will be held at Coleman Place Elementary School, 2445 Palmyra St., Norfolk and will include a free lunch for anyone who registers by June 4.

The conference is sponsored by the Norfolk-based nonprofit Hampton Roads Children of the Sun Athletic/Education Foundation in partnership with Gen. Colin Powell's America's Promise Alliance and the State Farm insurance company. The event is the first follow-up program to the April 4 Dropout Prevention Summit at Booker T. Washington High School, which also was spearheaded by Children of the Sun with help from America's Promise and State Farm and drew more than 600 people.

"Participants at the April 4 summit said they wanted more focus on ways to keep parents and students constructively engaged with each other. They believe that is one of the key action-plan items for keeping students in school, so that's why our first follow-up conference will concentrate on that theme," said A.L. Aswad, executive director of Children of the Sun and a resident of Norfolk's Ballentine Place neighborhood.

Coming near the conclusion of the school year, the June 6 conference will be especially helpful to parents by giving them ideas and resources for motivating their children during the summer vacation and guiding them away from trouble, Aswad said. "It's important to keep the momentum going for parents and students," he said. "This can be difficult for parents who work and cannot always keep their eyes on their children during the summer."

The conference will include a presentation on Gang Awareness by the Norfolk Sheriff's Department and workshops on "Engaging the Parents and Students Beyond the School Doors," "Healthy Start" (nutrition and health issues), "The Impact of Parental Involvement" and "The Student/Parent/Teacher Relationship." Each workshop also will have resources for summer activities.

The June 6 conference also will honor people who live or work in Norfolk, as well as Norfolk businesses and organizations, that have motivated youngsters to stay in school instead of dropping out.

Children of the Sun is planning additional follow-up events during the 2009-10 school year, according to Aswad.

The focus on dropout prevention in Norfolk connects with one of the policy themes of President Barack Obama, Aswad said. He noted that on Feb. 24, Obama told the nation and Congress that "... dropping out of high school is no longer an option. It's not just quitting on yourself, it's quitting on your country -- and this country needs and values the talent of every American."

Aswad also noted the negative impact of quitting school before graduation. Dropouts, he said, are more likely to become incarcerated, rely on public programs and social services, and go without health insurance than those who graduate high school.

To register for the June 6 conference, visit the Hampton Roads Children of the Sun website www.hrcots.org or send e-mail to hrcots@aol.com. Register by June 4 for a free lunch.

For more information, call A.L. Aswad at (757) 855-5358 or call Coleman Place Elementary School at (757) 852-4642.

For more information about Salome Thomas-El, visit Web site www.ichoosetostay.com or call (215) 972-1700.

To learn more about America's Promise Alliance, visit www.americaspromise.org.

Where in the World do Newport News Travel & Tourism dollars come from?

Newport News has developed a unique Tourism Awareness Contest...

Did you know that each U.S. household would pay $995 MORE in taxes each year without the tax dollars (revenue) generated from the travel and tourism industry? That would pay for a lot of food, gasoline and entertainment for your family!

This $1.6 trillion industry creates jobs and attracts arts and entertainment to our community, which enhances the quality of life for all. To celebrate National Travel and Tourism Week, Newport News Tourism announces our annual "Where in the World?" contest.

Newport News City Council and City Manager assist in the clues, appearing in the Daily Press and online here. You could be a winner, drawn from all those who correctly match the clues to where the travel and tourism dollars come from!

Contest begins on Monday May 11, and ends on Wednesday May 27 at 5:00 p.m. Open to all U.S. residents 18 and over; here's how to enter.

"Public Art Earn and Learn" program, taking it to the streets

The City of Norfolk's "Summer Earn and Learn" internship program includes training in teamwork, work ethics, leadership, discipline, time management and life skills.

This article shares the City's "Public Art Earn and Learn" program, taking art to the parking garages of Norfolk.

Norfolk's Public Art Earn and Learn ProgramView 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.

Posted and reprinted by permission of the City of Norfolk Communications Department. Originally seen by the City's residents in the print publication "Norfolk Quarterly," the Communications Department is allowing us to offer this information to the entire region.

SmartRegion.org welcomes other information about local youth and internship programs for the benefit of the entire Hampton Roads region! Please submit to: Contact@HRP.org

Kaine to VDOT: Shut up and sail

by Cortney Langley, reprinted by permission from The Virginia Gazette, originally published Wednesday, May 6, 2009.

The governor instructed VDOT to maintain 24-hour service at the ferries, and for free.
Photo by The Virginia Gazette.

RICHMOND — In a sharp slap, Gov. Tim Kaine ordered VDOT to preserve the Jamestown Ferry while demanding review of the security contract.

“First, we will continue to provide service 24 hours a day,” Kaine wrote in a letter Monday to Del. Bill Barlow (D-64th). “Second, we will not impose a toll for the provision of the service.

“Third, [VDOT] will pursue clarification of security requirements that are costly in service at the Jamestown-Scotland Ferry but have shown to be of limited merit when actually implemented.

“Fourth, [VDOT] will also aggressively pursue federal funding for new ferry equipment.”

His statement checks off nearly every item on the wish list of passengers, boat crews, activists and politicians.

VDOT’s proposal was to save $1.9 million by idling eight hours, cutting the summer fleet by one and reallocating funds for a new ferry.

Barlow wrote to Kaine last month, likening the ferry reductions to a bridge closure since the ferry links the two sides of a primary state highway, Route 31.

Critics countered that VDOT should dump the $1.6 million private security contract as overkill. Ferry security is federally mandated by the Maritime Security Transportation Act but paid for by the state.

Kaine apparently took Transportation Secretary Pierce Homer and Commonwealth Transportation commissioner David Ekern to the woodshed.

“I have made clear to them that the Commonwealth will maintain the Jamestown-Scotland Ferry service,” Kaine wrote.

“I think it’s great that the governor was so responsive to everyone,” said James City county administrator Sandy Wanner, who first floated the idea of jettisoning security to save the 24-hour service.

“A lot of people sent so much information and ideas on how critical this service was, of people going to work and people going for med services,” Wanner added. “This is a critical transportation link.”

Aside from Barlow, other politicians piled on, among them Del. Brenda Pogge (R-96th), Del. Phil Hamilton (R-93rd) and Sen. Tommy Norment (R-3rd).

The Greater Williamsburg Chamber & Tourism Alliance also argued the cuts would hurt tourism and industry here.

“The Alliance, as the representative of local business, appreciates Governor

Kaine’s commitment to maintain the ferry’s free, 24-hour service, which thousands of people involved in our region’s hospitality, tourism and healthcare fields rely on every day,” said president Dick Schreiber. “It is also gratifying to see that collaborative efforts by private organizations and individuals working together with local officials can be effective in influencing public policy.”

The Commonwealth Transportation Board is expected to review VDOT’s plan and Kaine’s short list May 20. Since the board is appointed by Kaine, his recommendations are expected to fly.

Hampton Roads Transportation Board rep E. Dana Dickens III, who has also been an advocate, said a number of members favor maintaining the ferry schedule.

“I welcome the governor’s support,” Dickens said.

Kaine cautioned that cuts elsewhere may be imminent and put in a dig on reluctant Republicans.

“As your letter also points out, we do not sufficiently fund our transportation system,” Kaine wrote to Barlow. “Together, we have acknowledged this fact in six legislative sessions in the last three years and we have increased our annual financial commitment to rail and transit.

Chesapeake Bay Clean-up Investments in Hampton Roads

Governor Tim Kaine announced recently the issuance by the Virginia Resources Authority (VRA) of Clean Water Revolving Loan Fund Bonds to finance $186 million in wastewater treatment and sewer system infrastructure and upgrades statewide. VRA's total investment in nutrient removal for the Chesapeake Bay for FY 2007-09 in all programs now exceeds $810 million.

“The Commonwealth has dedicated more than $1 billion to cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay since the start of my term,” Governor Kaine said.

The Series 2009 bonds will support improvements to 13 wastewater treatment plants and associated infrastructure including those owned and operated by the Hampton Roads Sanitation District and the City of Newport News. The majority of the projects will provide system upgrades to reduce nutrient pollution being discharged into the tributaries that feed the Chesapeake Bay. Ultimately, the upgrades will enhance marine life and the overall health of the Bay.

Virginia, along with Maryland, Pennsylvania, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, are all signatories to the Chesapeake 2000 Agreement, which calls for each state to reduce by 40% the level of nutrients going into the Chesapeake Bay by 2010.

“A cleaner Chesapeake Bay and cleaner rivers will enhance the quality of life where Virginians live, work and play,” said Sheryl Bailey, Executive Director of the Virginia Resources Authority.

Hampton Roads Sanitation District – (three projects) --

1. The loan will fund upgrades at Nansemond Treatment Plant which will provide nutrient removal to meet the Commonwealth’s 2010 Chesapeake Bay regulations. This project is expected to receive funding from the Water Quality Improvement Fund and FY 2009 CWRLF funds.
2. The loan will also fund upgrades at James River Treatment Plant which will provide nutrient removal to meet the Commonwealth’s 2010 Chesapeake Bay regulations. This is an innovative treatment process, one of the first of its kind in the state.
3. And finally, the loan will provide for the design and installation of flow meters and pressure sensors at sites throughout Hampton Roads. This is part of the regional consent order to reduce sanitary sewer overflows.

Contact:
Bruce W. Husselbee, PE, Director of Engineering
757-460-7012
bhusselbee@hrsd.com

City of Newport News – The loan will provide for sanitary sewer upgrades and rehabilitation, as well as pump station renovation.

Contact:
Steve Williams, Senior Engineer
757-269-2493
swilliams@nngov.com

Living in Hampton Roads

Welcome to Hampton Roads with the Darden Publishing 2009-2010 edition of Living In Hampton Roads, an annual regional resource guide for Southeastern Virginia's Hampton Roads.

Whether you come for business or pleasure, a short visit or a lifetime, Hampton Roads has something for you.

Hampton Roads is one of the best places to raise a family. It's good for business, too. If you want to learn more, click on the cover page below for a "virtual copy." Or, to order your beautiful "coffee table copy," visit http://DardenPublishing.net.


Inside the back cover (shown below), the region's "new view" website, www.HamptonRoadsPerforms.org, is featured. This website features quality of life performance measurements, tracking our region's progress and providing insight into those aspects of life that will ensure Hampton Roads' competitive position in the global economy.

Whether you live here, you're visiting or considering a move, you can see how the region is doing at www.HamptonRoadsPerforms.org.

VALET Program A Confirmed Success

by Leslie Parpart, VALET Program Manager (lparpart@yesvirginia.org); if you are interested in learning more about the program, please contact Leslie. Article orginally appeared in Virginia's Spring 2009 Commerce Quarterly.

What if your company could increase its international sales by 44% during a two-year period and then grow by another 44% in the years that followed? On average, companies who graduate from the Virginia Leaders in Export Trade (VALET) program experience this level of growth in their international business.

In 2001, it was just an idea. Virginia companies with firmly established domestic operations interested in accelerating their international business were recruited to join a newly designed program that was a true public-private partnership. The intended goal was to provide companies with the tools and resources to increase their international sales over the course of two years. On February 26, 2002, under the leadership of Paul Grossman and Kim Weir, the first VALET class gathered and launched the VALET Program.

The Program assists exporters who are committed to exporting as an expansion strategy. Companies interested in VALET participation are required to undergo an application process, which occurs twice each year, and must meet minimum requirements. Each company selected to participate in VALET’s two-year export acceleration program has access to the following:

• Reimbursement of up to $10,000 for export-related expenses;
• Pro bono professional services from VALET Program Partners, which form an extensive network of service providers who can assist with a variety of issues that exporters encounter when doing business internationally;
• Networking and educational events; and
• Strategic planning guidance and resource coordination.

Companies begin the program in either January or July. Since 2002, over 100 companies have been accepted into the program. In 2008, the VALET Program commissioned its first external review. Data was collected through a combination of database review, staff interviews, and a survey of the 65 program graduates. The goals of this study included quantifying post-program international sales and developing an understanding of what graduates thought were the key elements of the program as well as identifying areas for improvement. The response to the survey was an outstanding 66%.

The most critical question the survey set out to answer was whether program graduates continued growing their international business post graduation. The study found that companies increased their international sales by an additional 44% following their participation in the program. The companies also provided feedback regarding what type of impact the VALET program had on their international business in the years after their participation. The changes reported most frequently by respondents included:

• Expanding into new international markets (93%);
• Increasing the number of international sales annually (88%);
• Implementing new international marketing strategies (84%);
• Investing in new technology (74%);
• Experiencing growth in the number of employees in Virginia facilities (72%); and
• Establishing new partnerships with international companies (70%).

“There are tremendous benefits to selling internationally…for a company, for its employees and for Virginia,” said Paul H. Grossman, Jr., Director of International Trade and Investment. “In an era where organic business growth is part of successful economic development strategies, broadening a company’s client base by selling worldwide is totally organized and totally positive.”

The external review also identified the aspects of the program that graduates valued most. These included access to $10,000 via reimbursement to offset the costs of international marketing, research provided by VEDP staff and in-country consultants, the opportunity to network with other Virginia companies, and the support of private sector experts.

The survey asked the graduates whether or not they would consider participating in the VALET Program again and 88% of the respondents indicated that they were very likely or somewhat likely to participate again. Respondents were also asked to elaborate on the following question “If you were describing your company’s overall experience with the VALET program to a peer, how would you describe it?” The responses to this question were almost unanimously positive, with 38 of 39 companies replying noting that the program was “positive and rewarding.”

In addition, to the positive results highlighted in this report, the VALET Program, the first of its kind in the country, has also been recognized as a national model by the National Council for Public-Private Partnerships (in 2004) and as a program of excellence by NASBITE International in 2008.

The VALET Program is currently recruiting companies for its July 2009 Class. To be eligible for the program, companies in the Commonwealth of Virginia must have strong domestic operations and have the resources to commit to participation. VALET program participants are required to go through a competitive application process and must meet the following minimum requirements:

• Employ at least 20 individuals;
• Be established for 3 years;
• $2 million in annual sales;
• $20,000 commitment toward export trade;
• Commit to traveling to target market; and
• Have completed international market research.

Commerce Quarterly is a quarterly publication of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership. To download archived issues and/or to subscribe, visit http://www.yesvirginia.org/About_Us/News.aspx

Virginia’s Nonprofit Sector: An Economic Force, Key Findings from VANNO

from Deborah Barfield Williamson, Executive Director of Virginia Network of Nonprofit Organizations (VANNO)

Nonprofits permeate our lives:

• We're born in nonprofit hospitals, attend nonprofit day care centers and pre-schools, are educated in nonprofit elementary and secondary schools, attend nonprofit universities, participate in nonprofit recreational programs.
• Nonprofits respond to the citizens’ emergencies, entertain them at parks, historical sites, and theaters. Citizens find peace in nonprofit houses of worship. Virginians look to these organizations to fill basic human needs—food, shelter, clothing, and safety.
• Aging citizens rely on nonprofits for medical and hospice care and home repair. For many Virginians, nonprofit hospices meet end of life needs.
• And many civic organizations and fraternal organizations provide opportunities to build social binds and give back to the community.

In 2008, the Johns Hopkins Nonprofit Economic Data Project, The ConnectNetwork and The Community Foundation Serving Richmond and Central Virginia released a groundbreaking study on the economic impact of the Commonwealth’s nonprofit sector.

The study, Virginia’s Nonprofit Sector: An Economic Force, found that while the state’s nonprofit organizations are filling critical community needs with limited resources, they are one of the leading growing employment sectors and significantly contribute to the state’s overall economy.

A few of the key findings:

• Nonprofits, statewide, employ 211,000 people and engage more than 139,000 as volunteers. This represents 6% of Virginia’s workforce and is second only to retail and larger than both the educational services and manufacturing workforces.
• Eighty-two percent of Virginia’s nonprofit organizations operate with budgets of less than $1 million annually.
• Virginia’s nonprofit sector has seen a 35% growth in employment in the last decade, compared to only 20% in the for-profit sector and 12% in the government sector.
• The nonprofit community produces $8.2 billion in taxable wages and generates $461 million income, sales and use taxes.
• Seventy percent of nonprofit organizations and nearly 75% of employees reside in Northern Virginia, Hampton Roads or Central Virginia. However, nonprofits account for above-average shares of employment in the Shenandoah Valley, West Central and Eastern Virginia and Hampton Roads.

Read more about Nonprofit Organizations and the full report at www.VANNO.org

2009 Virginia Screenwriting Competition

by Jeff Frizzell, Commissioner of the Hampton Roads Film Office

The 2009 Virginia Screenwriting Competition presented by the Virginia Film Office is open to Virginia residents and students attending Virginia schools. There is no entry fee to submit a screenplay.

Every screenplay in the competition will receive a written critique from the first panel of judges and screenplays selected as finalists in the competition are judged by working industry professionals.

The deadline to enter is Friday, May 22, 2009. All entries must be postmarked or delivered to the Virginia Film Office on or before that date.

For a complete list of rules and the application form,
download http://www.film.virginia.org/news/2009Screenwriting.pdf
Be patient, the server could be experiencing high demand!

For more information or questions, contact the Virginia Film Office at 800.854.6233 or email kstephens@virginia.org

Living Your Dream

by Jeff Frizzell, Commissioner for the Hampton Roads Film Office

Want to be "Living Your Dream"?

Go to the Hampton Roads Convention Center, 1610 Coliseum Dr., Hampton on Saturday May 16th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This is an all ages, family-oriented event, free and open to the public. Pre-registration at the website is suggested, but guests will be admitted at the door.

For more info, visit www.LivingYourDreamExpo.com or call toll-free (888) 238-1968.

Speakers include Vanessa Coria from WVEC 13; Prissi Cardea, a talk show host; Daisy Jade, an actress; Quiana Grant, a model who has appeared in Sports Illustrated; and yours truly, Jeff Frizzell from the Hampton Roads Film Office, discussing getting into acting.

Bring the children; there's a free play area as well as dance performances, workshops for children, video game stations and a book mobile.

While the expo developers hope to make this an annual event to aid area community residents and business owners and to create a great place for people to come and get the help and motivation they need to take the next step in their career, they do maintain the website with new information year-round.

Clean the Bay Day

by Sharon Smith, Clean the Bay Day Coordinator, Chesapeake Bay Foundation

Come join the Chesapeake Bay Foundation for three hours in June to make your local waterway cleaner and healthier.

Clean the Bay Day is Saturday, June 6, from 9 am to noon.* And we need YOU! *Details vary by location; confirm information on our website: http://www.cbf.org/clean

The Chesapeake Bay and its rivers and streams needs volunteers to pick up litter around shorelines and waterways. Last year, with the help of our organizing partners, 7,000 volunteers removed 120 tons of debris from 434 miles of shoreline throughout the state!

We challenge and invite you to become part of the solution, join this powerful effort, and show that an unhealthy Bay is unacceptable!

By boat or on foot, gather your family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, and groups for a fun day and a worthwhile way to Save the Bay.

Dozens of sites are available. Please sign up today for Clean the Bay Day (no later than June 3) to be assigned a cleanup site near your neighborhood. There are three easy ways to register:

1. Visit http://www.cbf.org/clean
2. Call 800-SAVEBAY
3. Email ctbd@cbf.org

Environmental Sustainability of Our Local Ports Panel

by D. K. "Seneca" Bock, President of the League of Women Voters of South Hampton Roads


The League of Women Voters of South Hampton Roads presents a panel discussion on "The Environmental Sustainability of Our Local Ports" on Thursday, May 21, 2009 at Virginia Wesleyan College's Blocker Auditorium. A Meet and Greet will be held at 6:30 pm and the Forum will start at 7:00 pm.


Panelists scheduled are:

• The Honorable Joseph Bouchard, House of Delegates (VA)
• Christy Everett, Hampton Roads Director for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation
  
• RAdm Raynor A. K Taylor, USN (Ret.), President of Future of Hampton Roads
• Heather L. W. Mantz, Director of Environmental Affairs for the Virginia Port Authority
  

Download a Virginia Wesleyan Campus Map HERE.

The TIDE, Hampton Roads Light Rail begins

What is it? Where is it going? When will it be here?

The City of Norfolk's TIDE is taking the first step toward a regional light rail system envisioned to link to other rail and high speed rail along the East Coast and beyond. Norfolk is our nation's 36th city to embark on light rail development - America's smallest city to take this large step for its region.

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Posted and reprinted by permission of the City of Norfolk Communications Department. Originally seen by the City's residents in the print publication "Norfolk Quarterly," the Communications Department is allowing us to offer this information to the entire region.

SmartRegion.org welcomes other information about local transportation improvement efforts for the benefit of the entire Hampton Roads region! Please submit to: Contact@HRP.org

National Transportation Week: Port, Rail Partnerships Promise a Bright Future for Hampton Roads

by Quintin C. Kendall, CSX Resident Vice President for State Government Affairs

This week is National Transportation Week, which provides us an opportunity to reflect on the significant role the Hampton Roads region plays in our nation’s freight network. In 2008, the amount of freight moved through the Port of Virginia increased nearly 50% over the last decade. The port handled over two million TEUs in 2008, but the future appears even brighter-- APM Terminals can double the existing cargo capacity of the region, and Phase I of Craney Island will add an additional capacity of 1.5 million TEUs by 2020.

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The region’s foresight in developing and supporting these critical transportation assets is vital to Virginia economic well-being, and cements Hampton Roads position as the prime beneficiary of the Panama Canal Expansion Project. When the project is completed in 2014, the canal will accommodate significantly larger vessels (up to 12,000 TEUs), and Hampton Roads will be home to the only ports on the East Coast than can handle these size ships.

But in order to move these goods from the ports to their final destination without overloading the region’s already choked highway system, Hampton Roads requires vibrant and efficient rail connections.

To that end, CSX has proposed the National Gateway, a public-private partnership which will create a state-of-the-art rail corridor linking Virginia’s international ports and population centers with the Midwest’s manufacturing centers through use of double-stack trains.

The National Gateway utilizes unlocks a second competitive double-stack route between Virginia and the Midwest and Southeast—additional rail capacity that will be essential to handle the increased freight volumes of the future and will prove critical to the ensuring the ports’ –and the Hampton Roads region’s--long term growth.

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The National Gateway will bring new construction jobs to our state and help businesses in Virginia be more competitive in the global economy. All told, Virginia will realize over $1.2 billion in public benefits from the National Gateway, including:

• Highway Relief: By creating an additional freight transportation option, the National Gateway will reduce traffic congestion and lower highway maintenance costs. One train can carry the load of more than 280 trucks, clearing space for over 1,100 cars. The National Gateway will shift the freight of nearly 5 million trucks off Virginia’s highways, thereby improving road safety and saving $106 million in highway maintenance costs.
  
  
• Environmental Benefits: Railroads are the most environmentally-friendly way to move goods on land. On average, railroads are three or more times more fuel efficient than alternatives. The National Gateway will use state-of-the-art green technology and improve the flow of freight by rail in Virginia, reducing fuel consumption by 58 million gallons and CO2 emissions by over 650,000 tons.
  
  
• Logistics Savings: By expanding rail access and providing new shipping options, the National Gateway is expected to reduce overall freight shipping costs on goods entering and leaving Virginia by over $690 million.

Under this public-private partnership, CSX has committed to spending $387 million out of the overall $774 million dollars needed to complete the National Gateway by 2015, with the balance being sought from state and federal governments, recognizing that every $1 of public funds invested yields $16 in public benefit.

So as we reflect this week on the integral position Virginia’s ports hold in our nation’s transportation system and the role they have played in the evolution of Hampton Roads, we should also look to ensuring future public policy decisions that will promote continued progress. Taxpayers and businesses should encourage their representatives to support deserving projects such as the National Gateway that will combine state and federal funds with private investment to stimulate our economy, reduce congestion, improve the environment and move the nation forward.

For more information or to support the effort, please visit www.NationalGateway.org.

May is Military Appreciation Month

Governor Tim Kaine has declared May as “Military Appreciation Month” in Virginia and is encouraging all citizens of the Commonwealth to join in recognizing the contributions and sacrifices made by Virginia-based military personnel and their families.

“We’re proud of these men and women and their dedication to the defense of our nation and the Commonwealth” said Governor Kaine. “Virginia has a long and distinguished relationship with the military, and we will continue to provide resources, support and gratitude for our service members and defense partners as they perform their missions.”


Virginia is home to more than 206,000 active military and civilian defense personnel, the most of any state, as well as more than 35,000 members of the Reserves or National Guard. In addition to the highest concentration of defense personnel, Virginia is home to dozens of prominent defense installations, including the Defense Department (DoD)’s headquarters at the Pentagon, Marine Corps Base at Quantico, Langley Air Force Base, the Army’s Fort Lee and the Naval Station in Norfolk.

The Defense Department has proven to be a resilient and steadfast part of the Virginia economy, investing more than $46 billion a year in the Commonwealth – second only to California – and employing nearly 6% of the state’s workforce.

Hampton Roads is home to 59% of Virginia's DoD employees and nearly $15 billion impact in expenditures.

In 2005 the General Assembly created the Virginia National Defense Industrial Authority to work hand-in-hand with base commanders and community leaders on behalf of the state, administer grants to communities near installations, and provide strategic counsel to the Commonwealth’s leadership in order to grow the state’s relationship with the military.


The Hampton Roads Military and Federal Facilities Alliance (HRMFFA) was formed in 2006. The mission of HRMFFA is to proactively protect, preserve and grow military and federal capabilities in Hampton Roads for the common good and welfare of the residents of the Hampton Roads. Through regional advocacy and influence the Alliance acts to retain and attract organizations, capabilities, and investments owned, operated or funded by the Federal government.

"May should be Military Recognition Month and every month of the entire year should address appreciation of the military," added Frank Roberts, Executive Director of HRMFFA.

Calling all Hampton Roads Bloggers!

Are you a "citizen journalist"? Are you willing to link your blog with Hampton Roads SmartRegion.org and gain access to a national / global audience?

If you write at least one post per week, then send us your "blogger resume" ... which consists of a link to your blog and a 1-2 sentence byline.

Not a blogger now, but interested in sharing your local reaction to national news AND local reflections on categories of national interest? Perhaps we can help... read on:



Background: On April 4th, the first Hampton Roads Civic Engagement Summit held by the Hampton Roads Center for Civic Engagement (HRCCE), in cooperation with the Hampton Roads Partnership, WHRO, The Planning Council, and the Future of Hampton Roads, presented us with the beginning of a conversation about where we are, where we want to be, and what will be required to get “there” as a region.

The results of HRCCE’s Batten Survey were released at the Summit and reveal that in Hampton Roads we have:

• Opportunities…civic capital in Hampton Roads is plentiful…our job is to cultivate it and capitalize on it, as a region;
• Disconnectedness…citizens say they are somewhat or very interested in working with others to solve regional issues, yet they don’t feel invited; however, civic leaders say they want citizens to educate themselves, participate more in civic matters when invited, and let their views be known;
• Paradoxes…we agree on major issues such as the economy and transportation and want to solve our regional problems, but as a result of this survey, citizens say we lack a mean by which to come together as a region to work on these problems, together. Furthermore, while citizens follow news about local government and public affair somewhat or very closely, a majority of respondents say there is no reliable source or don’t know if there is a reliable source of information.

Citizens in attendance working in small groups at the Summit had these solutions to recommend for better civic engagement:

• Increase trust, honesty, transparency and the flow of information;
• Provide more regional emphasis by governments and media;
• Decide who/what organization is the regional voice;
• Develop a region-wide blog involving issue experts and citizens;
• Develop a regional website with links to each government agency and organization;
• Use information technology to increase citizen’s access, to educate/improve conversation between citizens and elected officials to make representative democracy work better;
• Provide an information portal, a common shared repository for data, information and opinion, accessible to the public in a variety of ways.

SmartRegion.org could be a means to that end, that ONE reliable source of information, a portal to connect all of Hampton Roads’ organizations, citizens and civic leaders alike, and to present Hampton Roads to a global audience as well.

Hampton Roads’ SmartRegion.org has been selected as the new “Military Bastion” for Patchwork Nation with the upcoming re-launch of the project on the PBS NewsHour’s website. The NewsHour, in partnership with WHRO, joins the Christian Science Monitor's Patchwork Nation project to provide coverage of local economic impacts as a way to build a local-national
collaboration model incorporating citizen journalists (bloggers).

With the pending re-launch as an expanded, multi-faceted, truly regionally-cooperative blog, SmartRegion.org will be the face of Hampton Roads to the nation and beyond.

Expanded Categories:

About Hampton Roads
Arts & Culture
Business Community
Economy
Education & Workforce
Government & Citizens
Hampton Roads History
Military Bastion
Research & Technology
Transportation & Planning

Organizations all over Hampton Roads are being asked to pool valuable resources and join this effort to provide blog articles (i.e. “posts”) and broad distribution of a regional electronic Newsletter, similar to (and replacing) the current HRP e-News.

The idea is NOT to create more work for each organization but to work smarter, not harder, to offer access to citizens and outlets for information like never before, to answer our citizens’ call for ONE regional focus, ONE regional resource.

Next steps? Contact HRP Communication Manager, Missy Schmidt, today at Missy@HRP.org or (757) 625-4696 for more information and/or to be a part of this unprecedented effort.

Hampton Roads Maritime & International Trade Guide

To purchase copies, call 804-649-6999 or email Karen Chenault at kchenault@va-business.com Copies sell for: 1 - 10 copies = $2.00 each 11 - 49 copies = $1.75 each 50 & over copies = $1.50 each plus tax and shipping The 2009 Virginia Business Magazine's annual publication highlighting maritime and international trade in Hampton Roads features:

• Looking to a brighter future/Virginia ports hope economic decline has bottomed out: Interview with Joe Dorto, President and CEO of Virginia International Terminals and Hampton Roads Partnership Board member
  
  
• Riding out the storm/U.S. Navy's $14 billion contract brings job security to Newport News shipyard: Extension of contract with Northrop Grumman and General Dynamics to build Virginia-class submarines, last of which is to be delivered in 2019
  
  
• Colleges help match student skills with employer needs: Old Dominion University (ODU) and Tidewater Community College (TCC) offer courses, majors and clubs to help students interested in maritime and commerce professions
  
  
• Testing your seaworthiness/Maritime academy simulator tests students' preparedness: A distinct level of realism allows bridge and engineering mariners to train and practice together without threatening vessels
  
  
• Reports on: Imports/Protecting consumers; Transportation/New barge service expands port 100 wiles to the west, 200-mile Heartland Rail Corridor opens in 2010, Trucking; Environment/A swimmable and fishable river; Foreign Trade Zones/An Edge to U.S. manufacturers; Port of Virginia statistics and more.
  

National Tourism Week

In celebration of National Tourism Week May 9-17, 2009, the Norfolk Convention and Visitors Bureau will be awarding the top hospitality workers at the Award Winning National Tourism Week Rally called "Champions of Hospitality" on Wednesday, May 13th from 1:30 to 3:30pm at the Half Moone Cruise and Celebration Center. From amongst all the winners, one person will be awarded the "Hospitality Worker of the Year" award. More than 100 associates have been nominated in 21 categories. The Rally is open to the public.

SmartRegion.org welcomes other information about Tourism events! Please submit to: Contact@HRP.org

Economic Interdependence Updated

Here is a 2009 update of HREDA's 2005 Economic Interpendence Report with an Executive Summary by Dr. James V. Koch, Board of Visitors Professor of Economics and President Emeritus at Old Dominion University.

Economic Assessment of Impact of Jobs in Hampton Roads (2009)

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Highlights: Dr. Koch's major conclusions of those previous studies (2002, 2005) have not changed significantly. The cities and counties of Hampton Roads continue to exhibit a very high level of economic interdependence (see Table 2). Economically, they continue to function as a single, large city in which some portions of the region predictably specialize as residential locations, while others specialize as job and work locations.

Individuals frequently reside in one city, but work in another. Williamsburg continues to be the most interdependent jurisdiction within the region, economically speaking. Only 16% of those who hold jobs in Williamsburg also reside there and 82%, of the personal income generated within the City of Williamsburg is earned by individuals who live in another city or county.

Norfolk hosts the second most jobs (143,072) of any city or county in Hampton Roads. Only 40% of those working in Norfolk also reside there.

More than 1.6 million people live in Hampton Roads, and these individuals held 728,893 jobs in October 2008.

On average, only 46% of the compensation generated by HREDA-attracted jobs is captured by the host city. The other 54% diffuses among the other cities and counties in the region plus sites outside of the region. This underlines the substantial economic interdependence that exists in Hampton Roads.

Jobs that appear in one location benefit nearly all other locations. Why? Because the region’s citizens cross city and county lines continuously in terms of where they choose to live, work, and spend their incomes. The entire region benefits, regardless of the location of a new job. What’s good for Hampton turns out to be good for Newport News, Virginia Beach and nearly every other city or county in the region. Note that the same rationale applies to capital construction expenditures.

Economic Interdependence Table (Jan09)

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Example Explanation for Table Two: For every $1.00 earned in Williamsburg, only $0.18 is spent in Williamsburg. The majority is spent in James City County at $0.34, Newport News at $0.16 and York County at $0.14.

EVMS cutting-edge research

Hampton Roads Partnership member Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS) improves people’s lives everywhere with their cutting-edge research that happens right here in Hampton Roads.

Whether it’s the development of microbicides aimed at controlling the spread of HIV in third-world countries or the successful patents and inventions that result from the hard work of local doctors and researchers, EVMS is advancing the field of medicine and making a difference.

Moving a crucial medication from the research lab to a patient’s pill bottle doesn’t happen overnight. When it comes to getting those ideas to the public in the form of new inventions, research or medication, the EVMS Office of Technology Transfer makes it happen. (Click on the Spring 2009 cover and see page 26.)

StoryCorps, national oral history project coming to Hampton Roads

Since 2003, over 50,000 people have shared life stories with family and friends through StoryCorps. Each conversation is recorded on a free CD to share and is preserved at the Library of Congress. Millions listen to StoryCorps' broadcasts on public radio and the web. StoryCorps, a revolutionary initiative to record this nation’s stories, is one of the largest oral history projects of its kind.

And, StoryCorps is coming to HAMPTON ROADS, and we want you to be involved. Help us spread the word!

What is StoryCorps? Sponsored by National Public Radio and affiliated with the Library of Congress, StoryCorps was established to create an oral history of regular citizens, allowing everyday people to preserve personal stories for their own families, and for future generations to hear. Participants reserve an hour-long recording session at our StoryBooth to interview someone they know- loved ones, friends, or members of their community. At the end of the session, the participants receive a CD copy to take home, and, with their permission, another copy will be archived at the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress.

Please visit www.StoryCorps.org to learn more.

Join host WHRO at the WHRO Studios, Wednesday, May 27th at 6PM for an exciting community meeting and learn how to get involved! Please RSVP by May 20th to WHRO.

by Jan Johnson, WHRO Donor Relations Manager, (757) 889-9358, Jan.Johnson@whro.org

About WHRO…
WHRO is a vibrant public service media company that promotes education, culture and citizenship through a variety of telecommunications services. Every day, thousands of viewers and listeners tune to 89.5 WHRV FM, 90.3 WHRO FM, WHRO HD 15.1, WHRO WORLD, WHRO KIDS, WHRO CREATE, and the WHRO VOICE. Owned by 18 local school divisions, WHRO delivers educational and new media services to 286,000 students and 25,000 educators per month.