HR Partnership | July 31, 2009

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 Tuesday, November 10, 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.

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Category: Arts & Culture | No Comments »
Tags: Hampton Roads

HR Partnership | July 31, 2009

The 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:

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Category: Education & Workforce | No Comments »
Tags: Education, Workforce

HR Partnership | July 31, 2009

by 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?

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Category: Economy, Research & Technology | 1 Comment »
Tags: Energy, Hampton Roads, Virginia Beach

HR Partnership | July 30, 2009

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.

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Category: Military Bastion, Research & Technology | No Comments »
Tags: Hampton Roads, Modeling, Simulation, Technology

HR Partnership | July 30, 2009

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:

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.

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Category: About Hampton Roads | No Comments »
Tags: Hampton Roads, HamptonRoadsPerforms.org

HR Partnership | July 29, 2009

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!

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Category: Visit HR | 2 Comments »
Tags: Norfolk, Tourism

HR Partnership | July 29, 2009

Click on the masthead above to read the recent e-Newsletter 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.

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Category: Research & Technology | No Comments »
Tags: Hampton Roads, HRRP, Research, Technology

HR Partnership | July 28, 2009

by Scott M. Kozel, herein provided by permission of the author

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:

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Category: HR History, Transportation | No Comments »
Tags: Hampton Roads, Transportation

HR Partnership | July 27, 2009

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.

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Category: Economy | 1 Comment »
Tags: Economy, Virginia

HR Partnership | July 25, 2009

The 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.”

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Category: Government & Citizens, Transportation | No Comments »
Tags: Seniors, Transportation