News
Good Jobs Here: Lessons Learned
Over the past two sessions, Good Jobs Here participants have learned a variety of information. In session one, participants heard from Dr. Jim Johnson, University of North Carolina, on how demographics across the nation have changed and affect how the workforce looks and functions. Dr. Johnson pointed out that in the South, the population has changed 54.6%, with all of the PDC 16 localities seeing and increase in population growth from 2010-2018.
A Community Gathering on creating Good Jobs Here – Part 2
On October 17th, Good Jobs Here held its second event to create, measure, execute, and foster economic growth and job in creation in the Fredericksburg region.
Utilizing a GO Virginia grant, the George Washington Regional Commission partnered with leading local organizations to create a shared understanding of current data, analysis, strengths, and opportunities for this region. Continue reading “A Community Gathering on creating Good Jobs Here – Part 2”
Registration open for new UMW cybersecurity certification program
The University of Mary Washington announced Wednesday that registration is now open for a new cybersecurity certification program.
The non-credit program, which is supported by a grant from the statewide economic development initiative GO Virginia, will prepare students for the Certified Information Systems Security Professionals exam.
Continue reading “Registration open for new UMW cybersecurity certification program”
A Closer Look at the Middle Peninsula: VEDP Visits for FAM Tour
In, October, the Middle Peninsula Alliance hosted the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) for a familiarization (FAM) tour. In attendance were staff from the Business Investment, Research, Communications, Workforce, and Strategic Initiative departments. Representatives from Virginia Tourism Corporation and from GO Virginia Region 6 joined the visit.
The purpose of this FAM tour was to inform these state partners about the business assets and resources that are available, and also hear and see first-hand from the localities that the Middle Peninsula Alliance represents. Each locality in the Middle Peninsula has a unique community brand, but the region as a whole represents a stronghold in agriculture and the water-based economy and is a bridge between the two industries and the rest of the state. Continue reading “A Closer Look at the Middle Peninsula: VEDP Visits for FAM Tour”
Governor Northam Announces Major Sawmill Expansions in Henry and Westmoreland Counties
For Immediate Release: September 25, 2019
Contacts: Office of the Governor: Alena Yarmosky, Alena.Yarmosky@governor.virginia.gov | Teal-Jones Group: Kiel Miller, kmiller@tealjones.com, (604) 587-8767
RICHMOND—At events in Martinsville and Kinsale, Governor Ralph Northam today announced that British Columbia-based Teal-Jones Group is investing a total of $31.75 million to expand sawmill and dry kiln operations at two recently acquired lumber mills in Virginia. At Pine Products Inc. in Henry County, the company will invest $21 million and create 67 new jobs and at Potomac Supply, LLC in Westmoreland County, the company will invest $10.75 million and create 59 new jobs. Virginia successfully competed with Oklahoma and Washington for the projects, which will include new equipment and updates to the facilities. The company is committing to source 100 percent of its net new timber purchases from the Commonwealth, which over the next four years is expected to top $100 million. Continue reading “Governor Northam Announces Major Sawmill Expansions in Henry and Westmoreland Counties”
A Community Gathering on creating Good Jobs Here – Part 1
On September 19th, the first Good Jobs Here event was held to create, measure, execute, and foster economic growth and job creation in the Fredericksburg region.
Utilizing a GO Virginia grant, the George Washington Regional Commission partnered with leading local organizations to create a shared understanding of current data, analysis, strengths, and opportunities for this region. Continue reading “A Community Gathering on creating Good Jobs Here – Part 1”
GO Virginia Region 6 Council approves 2019 Growth and Diversification Plan update
FREDERICKSBURG – The Mary Ball Washington Regional Council recently approved an update to the GO Virginia Region 6 Growth and Diversification Plan. This plan provides a roadmap for utilizing GO Virginia funding for projects across the Region 6 service area, which includes the George Washington, Northern Neck, and Middle Peninsula sub-regions.
The purpose of GO Virginia is to “create more and higher-paying jobs through incentivized collaboration, primarily from out-of-state revenue, which diversifies and strengthens regional economies.” In 2017, the Mary Ball Washington Regional Council adopted a Growth and Diversification Plan that outlined a series of investment strategies to accelerate the creation of higher-paying jobs in priority industry clusters. At their meeting on August 12th, the Council reviewed and adopted the 2019 Growth and Diversification Plan, which was prepared by Community Futures and Mangum Economics. Continue reading “GO Virginia Region 6 Council approves 2019 Growth and Diversification Plan update”
GO Virginia Region 6 Council approves contracts to develop a pipeline of projects to bolster the region’s jobs
FREDERICKSBURG – GO Virginia Region 6 recently approved funding for regional agencies to develop a pipeline of projects to create more high-paying jobs in the region. The Council is contracting with the Fredericksburg Regional Alliance (FRA), the Northern Neck Chesapeake Bay Region Partnership (NNCBRP), and the Middle Peninsula Alliance (MPA) to lead efforts within their footprints and work together across the region as a whole.
Montross manufacturer’s need for welders sparks hands-on classes
Originally published by The Free Lance-Star, Written by Cathy Jett, June 16, 2019
A manufacturing company with a plant in Montross considered pulling out of Virginia nearly two years ago because it couldn’t find enough skilled labor.
Carry–On Trailer especially needed more welders to put together its trailers, which are sold by such companies as Lowe’s, Home Depot and Tractor Supply.
To create a pipeline, Rappahannock Community College, Westmoreland County, the Northern Neck Planning Commission and the company teamed up to apply for a GO Virginia grant to help provide classes to train welders not only for Carry–On Trailer but also other companies such as Uni–Dyn in Spotsylvania County and for those interested in starting their own business.
Continue reading “Montross manufacturer’s need for welders sparks hands-on classes”