Monthly Archive: July 2009

Jul 31

Making a Difference Through Philanthropy

Nat Philanthropy Day

Every year, the Hampton Roads community recognizes the value of philanthropy—and those who are active in the philanthropic community — at the Association of Fundraising Professionals’ regional celebration of National Philanthropy Day.  This year, National Philanthropy Day in Hampton Roads will be observed on Thursday, November 12, 2009 at the Portsmouth Renaissance Hotel.

The Association of Fundraising Professionals-Hampton Roads Chapter (AFP-HR) is currently seeking nominations for its 2009 Philanthropy Awards.

  • Award for Outstanding Corporation or Foundation
  • Award for Outstanding Philanthropist
  • Award for Outstanding Development Professional
  • Award for Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy (ages 5-17)

All nominations must be received by September 11, 2009 at 5:00 p.m. for consideration. Award winners will be recognized at the AFP-HR National Philanthropy Day luncheon on Thursday, November 12, 2009 at 12:00 PM at the Portsmouth Renaissance Hotel.  Past recipients include Tidewater Communications, Norfolk/Portsmouth Bar Association, Marianne Dickerson, Frederick J. Napolitano, The Norfolk Foundation, Trantwood Elementary School, Eric Gubala, and Norfolk Collegiate School.  Nomination forms with detailed criteria are available at www.afp-hr.org or by emailing Kay Stine at kstine@norfolkcollegiate.org.

Register to attend National Philanthropy Day online at www.afp-hr.org.

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AFP logoAbout AFP: The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) represents more than 30,000 members in 197 chapters, including 11 collegiate chapters, and members in 38 countries including the United States, Canada, Mexico, China, Singapore, Indonesia, Europe and elsewhere. For more than 40 years, AFP has been the standard-bearer for professionalism in fundraising by working to advance philanthropy through advocacy, research, education, and certification programs. The Hampton Roads Chapter was formed in 2001 and serves development professionals in the greater Hampton Roads region with professional development programs, resources and services.  It is now the second largest AFP chapter in Virginia.

Jul 31

Take note Hampton Roads, Prepping workers of today for tomorrow’s jobs

Presidents Council of Econ Advisers sealThe President’s Council of Economic Advisers (CEA) just released the report PREPARING THE WORKERS OF TODAY FOR THE JOBS OF TOMORROW.  The report presents a projection of potential developments in the U.S. labor market over the next five to ten years and discusses the preparations necessary to develop the 21st century workforce.  

Data indicates that the economy of 2016 will resemble the economy of 2008, with several important shifts:

  • Health care is forecasted to remain a large source of job growth in the labor market; occupations, including medical records and health information technicians, registered nurses, clinical laboratory technicians, and physical therapists, are expected to grow.
  • The decades-long decline in the share of workers that are employed in manufacturing is expected to moderate; some industries within manufacturing – such as aerospace and pharmaceuticals – are projected to create many jobs.
  • The construction industry is projected to eventually recover and add jobs in the coming decade, generating a demand for skilled workers such as electricians and plumbers.

Well-trained and highly-skilled workers will be best positioned to secure high-wage jobs, thereby fueling American prosperity:

  • Employers value workers who can think critically and solve problems with good analytic and interactive skills.
  • Occupations that employ large shares of workers with post-secondary education and training are growing faster than others, requiring more formal post-secondary schooling.
  • The U.S. post-high school education and training system provides valuable skills to those who complete programs in high-growth fields.  However, it could be more effective at encouraging completion and responding to the needs of the labor market.
  • Elements of a more effective system include:
    • a solid early childhood, elementary, and secondary system that ensures students have strong basic skills;
    • institutions and programs that have goals that are aligned and curricula that are cumulative;
    • close collaboration between training providers and employers to ensure that curricula are aligned with workforce needs;
    • flexible scheduling, appropriate curricula, and financial aid designed to meet the needs of students;
    • incentives for institutions and programs to continually improve and innovate;
    • and accountability for results.

Worker flexibility is key given the dynamic nature of the U.S. labor market and ongoing technological change.  In 2003, for example, a quarter of American workers were in jobs that were not even listed among the Census Bureau’s Occupation codes in 1967, and technological change has only accelerated since then.  Environmental-related occupations – which are expected to experience tremendous growth over the next decade – did not exist in comparable data prior to 2000.

Jul 31

Alternative Energy Industry Means Long-Term Sustainability for the Region

Warren Harris cropby Warren Harris, director of the Virginia Beach Department of Economic Development, recognized as one of the 10 best economic development groups in the nation by Site Selection magazine and one of only 25 economic development groups in the world accredited by the International Economic Development Council.

Going green is certainly not a new concept, nor is sustainability. But the two themes have emerged as hot topics because they present myriad economic opportunities for localities across the nation. In Hampton Roads, the alternative energy industry could be the next economic engine for the region. That means new jobs, opportunities for research and development, and of course, long-term sustainability, which means cost savings for local residents, as well as the environment.

According to the Virginia Coastal Energy Research Consortium (VCERC), one of the best locations along the Atlantic Coast for harnessing wind energy lies approximately 12 miles off the Virginia Beach coastline. It’s classified as a “Class Six” location with the capacity to support the production of 3,680 megawatts of wind energy, the second best level for manufacturing wind power in the world.

So what does this mean for the city and the region?

For one, preliminary projections estimate that the Beach could see an increase of 300 new jobs in the first year of offshore wind farm construction. That number increases to more than 1,100 in the third year. But those are merely initial figures. Besides construction-related jobs, the growing wind energy industry could mean the creation of new manufacturing positions, research and development-related careers, as well as transportation-oriented jobs.

In Virginia Beach, we’ve already seen the first signs of this emerging industry. The Carraro Group, an Italian manufacturing company, has announced that it will move its North American headquarters here. Virginia Beach’s strategic location –with the potential for a wind farm off shore – made perfect sense. Its plan is to manufacture component parts for wind turbines, and with the Port of Hampton Roads nearby, Carraro can easily ship its products overseas and around the world.

Along with wind energy, experts believe that Virginia Beach has excellent solar energy potential, some unique tidal and hydroelectric opportunities, and interesting biofuel possibilities. These natural resources represent billions of untapped dollars for the local economy and the ability to meet the region and the state’s future demand for energy.

As with any new industry, there are startup costs. Creating an off shore wind farm has a potential price tag of more than $1 billion. Research by the VCERC shows that with that investment, however, a farm could generate more than $150 million a year in local off shore service contracts after construction is complete. Through service contracts alone, the project essentially pays for itself in less than seven years. Wind energy also costs less to manufacture than either coal or natural gas because you eliminate the cost of fuel, thus decreasing overall hard costs.

Because of these exciting possibilities, research and development have already begun locally. A consortium of academics from across Virginia, along with representatives from businesses like Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) are exploring future possibilities. Dominion Virginia Power estimates that there will be a 4,600 megawatt deficit in electric energy to meet the state’s needs by 2019. That means vital research and development needs to happen now if we are to meet the growing demands of families and businesses.

VaGreenThe “greening” of Virginia Beach also enables the city to embrace a series of residual economic returns that benefit the community as a whole. For starters, tourism officials have seen an increase in meeting planners booking exclusively at green venues. The Virginia Beach Convention Center is the first certified “Virginia Green” venue, built with environmentally-conscious materials and equipped with lights and faucets that are motion activated to conserve water and electricity. From February 2008 to January 2009, the convention center’s green initiatives saved taxpayers more than $204,000 in energy costs.

All of this is in the name of long-term sustainability – both for the environment and the economy. While there is an initial investment to launch this industry, that investment is a very small price to pay for the potential rewards the industry offers, both financially and environmentally. Imagine lower energy costs, an environment preserved for generations to come, increased growth because of the city’s “green” approach, new job opportunities and much, much more.

Virginia Beach and the Hampton Roads region have the ability to become what Detroit once was to the automotive industry, and what Silicon Valley is to the tech sector. It’s just a matter of embracing the opportunities and overcoming the challenges that lie ahead. Cities need to join together, pool resources, and explore the possibilities. With vision and working together, Hampton Roads could be the country’s first “green” region.

Originally printed in the Hampton Roads Business Journal, Inside Business, and reprinted here by permission of the author.

Extra:  Visit the Virginia Beach Convention Center blog.

Jul 30

MODSIM World in Hampton Roads, and now Canada

MODSIM WORLD Canada 2009 450px

by Andrew Sinclair, Program Manager for the Hampton Roads Partnership, focused on the Modeling & Simulation industry, encouraging the transfer of technology from predominantly military uses to commercial sector for the benefit of the entire Hampton Roads region.

The Canadian embassy organized a trade mission to the MODSIM World Conference and Expo in September 2008. The 25 businesses that came to the conference were so impressed that they wanted to hold a similar event in Canada in the summer of 2009. After negotiating a franchise agreement and following 6 months of rigorous planning, MODSIM World Canada kicked off in Montreal, Quebec on June 9.

The Canadian franchise of the Hampton Roads MODSIM World conference drew over 200 attendees and more than a dozen exhibitors, a great start to their effort. The conference lasted 2 days with tracks in Defense & Homeland Security; Aerospace & Health; and Government, Research & Education. The tracks each had about 15 very informative and engaging sessions discussing the issues faced and the progress being made in their areas of M&S.

The highlights of the conference, though, were the keynote speakers including Dr. Robert Walker, the Assistant Deputy Minister for Science and Technology for the Canadian Department of National Defence; Dr. William Dunn, Associate Professor of Medicine at the Mayo Clinic; Major General Stuart Beard, Chief of Force Development for the Canadian Army; Richard Boyd, Chief Architect of Lockheed Martin’s Virtual World Labs; and others.

The conference was well-regarded by all those who attended, making it a success both for the Canadian planners as well as for the Hampton Roads-based parent conference. We hope that many who attended in Montreal will come to the Virginia Beach Convention Center in October for  MODSIM World 2009.

Jul 30

HamptonRoadsPerforms.org Quality of Life Measures Updated

12-HR Performs logo 450px

Interested in performance measures that tell you how Hampton Roads is doing as a region? The following programs or initiatives have been added or updated on HamptonRoadsPerforms.org, the data website for tracking our progress.  The page on which they appear is noted below with a link:

  • “Economy” Poverty Page
    • Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia
  • “Education” High School Dropout Page
    • Hampton Performance Learning Center (PLC)
    • Hampton Roads Children of the Sun Athletic/Education Foundation
    • America’s Promise Alliance
  • “Education” High School Graduation Page
    • New Horizons Regional Education Centers
    • An Achievable Dream Academy
    • Newport News Aviation Academy
  • “Government and Citizens” Voter Registration and Turnout Page
    • Hampton Roads Center for Civic Engagement (HRCCE)
    • Virginia Organizing Project
    • League of Women Voters and Vote411
  • “Health and Family” Obesity Page
    • Surviving Abundance: Overweight Kids in Crisis
  • “Transportation” Land Use Page
    • Urban Land Institute Hampton Roads
  • “Transportation” Traffic Congestion Page
    • Hampton Roads Planning District Commission’s Transportation Department

Add a link to Hampton Roads Performs on your own webpages.

Know of an organization or initiative that should be included? Send an email to Contact@HRP.org.

Want to stay informed? Subscribe to SmartRegion.org Updates (see left-hand sidebar) via email, RSS or mobile alert to stay up-to-date .

Thank you for your interest and participation ensuring an economically- and socially-healthy Hampton Roads.

Jul 29

Congratulations Norfolk – Top Cruise Port Ranking!!

NorfolkCruiseBlog

Norfolk was voted top cruise port in the country according to Royal Caribbean’s weekly passenger ratings! Norfolk ranked first in the country and second in the world, behind only Venice, Italy.

Of course, this is a weekly poll, but according to the article, it is gathered from “..up to 4800 passengers” who cruised from Norfolk on May 30th.

We hear similar comments about the beautiful terminal and the ease of the process compared to other ports. The port here, unlike most cruise terminals, was built specifically for people and not for loading/unloading goods as well as people. And you can really tell the difference…ask anyone who has sailed from Norfolk and another port, and they will tell you there is a distinct difference.

A quick message to Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Lines, as well as other cruise lines: Give Us More Cruises! More Destinations! More Variety! If you bring it – they will sail!

Visit the official website: http://www.CruiseNorfolk.org

Full Virginian-Pilot article Here >

There are some comments on PilotOnline for the article that are negative…mostly about there not being enough sailings from Norfolk. I see that actually as a positive, that there is demand for more sailings. In fact, if the only thing one can say negative about the Norfolk Cruise Terminal is that there aren’t enough cruises, then we are in good shape for expansion.

by Victoria Cash, Director of Leisure at CI Travel; Cruising Norfolk is the blog devoted entirely to Norfolk Cruises. It is published as a community service by CI Travel to connect travelers going on cruises from Norfolk to share comments, experiences, suggestions and tips for great things to do while on or off the ship.

Jul 29

Hampton Roads Research Partnership launches e-News

HRRP eNews header

Click on the masthead above to read the recent e-Newsletter (PDF, 4.29MB) from the Hampton Roads Research Partnership featuring:

  • Results of the Virginia Survey on Climate Change
  • Interim Executive Director Appointed at VMASC
  • 21st Century Technology Reveals 17th Century History
  • Regional Economic Development Strategy
  • Hampton U. Student Teachers Notch First Place
  • Former VMASC Director Now Texas A&M Interim President
  • Director’s Letter, “Clusters” Update

To receive the HRRP e-News via email, contact Executive Director Lee Beach.

Jul 28

Roads to the Future: History of Highway and Transportation in Virginia

Roads to the Future banner
by Scott M. Kozel, herein provided by permission of the author; photo by Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT)

Here is a comprehensive Highway and Transportation History Website for Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. It mainly covers Highways, but Rail Transit is also included. Photographs are included as well.

Highlighted below are links pertinent to the Hampton Roads region:

Bridge-Tunnel Facilities in Virginia
Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel
Chesapeake Expressway (VA-168)
Coleman (George P.) BridgeHampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel
Hampton Roads Crossing Study
Hampton Roads’ Interstates and Freeways
I-64 Widening Projects in Newport News and Hampton
Interstate 664
James River Bridge (US-17)
Midtown Tunnel / Pinners Point Interchange / MLK Freeway Extension
Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel (I-664)
US-17 Relocation in City of Chesapeake

Photo Highlights include a photo of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel and a photo of the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Dwight D. Eisenhower docked at Norfolk, Virginia.

Stay up-to-date by checking Scott’s Change Log for updates.

Scott M. Kozel shares his “Roads to the Future” and other sites as the result of 35 years of personal study of highway and transportation development. He worked for 10 years (1974-1984) in highway safety improvement design, highway construction inspection, and highway location & design; and in information technology since 1984. He is no longer affiliated with any local, state, or federal transportation agency.

Jul 27

Virginia is numero uno pro-business state

Pollina2
America must be an integral part of global business if it is to remain a superpower, but “thus far we have done a terrible job of integrating ourselves in the 21st century marketplace,” says geoeconomist and corporate relocation expert Dr. Ronald R. Pollina in the just-released Pollina Corporate Top 10 Pro-Business States for 2009: Rebuilding American’s Economic Power.

2009 Top 10 Pro Business Rankings
1 Virginia 6 South Dakota
2 Utah 7 Kansas
3 North Carolina 8 Georgia
4 Wyoming 9 Florida
5 South Carolina 10 Nebraska

In the annual study of job retention and creation by the 50 states and the federal government, Dr. Pollina emphasizes “the effort to make America more business-friendly must come from all levels of government. Many states are doing such a poor job of creating a pro-business environment that they can’t even come close to competing with each other, much less compete globally.”

There are, however, states that serve as a model for the rest of the country. Brent Pollina, Vice President of Park Ridge, Illinois-based Pollina Corporate Real Estate and author of this year’s study, names Virginia as “America’s most pro-business state” followed closely by Utah, North Carolina (2008 winner), Wyoming and South Carolina. For the sixth consecutive year, California ranked dead last.

“In recent years, we have lost millions of the nation’s manufacturing, technology and high-wage service jobs, and this trend is escalating.” says Brent Pollina. “The federal budget deficit, trade deficits, low interest rates, family debt and inadequate educational systems are and will continue to have a negative impact on the U.S. economic, political and military strength in the 21st Century.

“We are deluding ourselves if we believe that we have not been impacted already, both socially and economically, and that our government, along with American ingenuity and tenacity, will correct for any losses. This report details how many state governments have the resources, but not the will, to keep Americans employed in high paying 21st century jobs.”

The study evaluates and ranks states based on 33 factors including taxes, human resources, right-to-work legislation, energy costs, infrastructure spending, workers compensation laws, economic incentive programs and state economic development efforts.

Jul 25

I-RIDE in Hampton Roads

senior services I-RIDEThe popular “I-Ride” transit service sponsored by Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia and Isle of Wight County is continuing its half-day, summer-special Saturday run to and from the Olde Towne Curb Market in historic downtown Smithfield through Aug. 29.

The Saturday I-Ride schedule for the summer begins at 8 a.m. and ends at 12:24 p.m. En route, riders can disembark at the Olde Towne Curb Market at 8:12 a.m., reboarding the bus there for the return trip at 9:45 a.m.

“We’re delighted to offer this special Saturday service again,” said Cindy Creede, director of transit and wellness for Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia. “It’s a great opportunity for residents to support our local produce farms, while giving I-Ride a try, if they haven’t already.”

The Olde Towne Curb Market is open Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. It is located in the parking lot behind the Bank of Southside Virginia, at 115 S. Main St.

The normal, year-round operating hours for I-Ride also continue. Service is from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, with 32 convenient stops along a 31-mile route.

The I-Ride fee is $1 a ride. Exact change or tokens are accepted. Passengers 12 and under ride for free, but must be accompanied by an adult. There is no service on holidays.

I-Ride transit schedules are available at locations throughout Isle of Wight, including the Isle of Wight/Smithfield/Windsor Chamber of Commerce, Smithfield & Isle of Wight Visitor Center, Isle of Wight Municipal Offices, local businesses and apartment building management offices. The schedule also is online at www.ssseva.org. Offices and businesses that would like to distribute transit schedules, please call Cindy Creede at (757) 222-4502.

Mobility impaired? Please leave message regarding your transit needs at (757) 516-8556.

I-Ride tokens may be purchased at the following locations:

  • Smithfield & Isle of Wight Visitor Center at 319 Main St., Smithfield. Hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays. Phone: (757) 357-5182.
  • Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center, 693 Oak St., Franklin, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Phone: (757) 569-0768.
  • Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia office, 100 W. Fourth St., Franklin, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Phone: (757) 516-8556.

A private, not-for-profit organization, Senior Services provides services for citizens in Chesapeake, Franklin, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Virginia Beach and Isle of Wight and Southampton counties. Its headquarters and satellite offices offer everything from home-delivered meals for qualifying seniors to counseling for Medicare, Medicaid and long-term care insurance. For additional information contact Senior Services at (757) 461-9481 or www.ssseva.org.

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