HR Partnership | January 31, 2010

Found this great site that will help you plan your perfect getaway to America’s Historic Triangle of Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown: “Williamsburg Weekends” featuring different events and programs happening in our area, new information brought to us by the Greater Williamsburg Chamber & Tourism Alliance on a weekly basis.

For more information, contact Williamsburg Weekends at: info@williamsburgweekends.com

Photo courtesy of
The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, Williamsburg, VA

And, if you want to stay up-to-date on tourism happenings in the Hampton Roads region and throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia, follow “Virginia is for Lovers” on Twitter.

If you have a terrific tourism experience in Hampton Roads, please share your story and your photos with us! If you live in the region and you’ve enjoyed an attraction, venue or arts & cultural event, we’re looking for blog guest authors.

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Category: Visit HR | No Comments »
Tags: Arts, Culture, History, Jamestown, Tourism, Williamsburg

HR Partnership | January 30, 2010

According to Marine Log magazine, Virginia shipyards are backing the newly formed Virginia Offshore Wind (VOW) Coalition.

“Our goal is to be the Emerald City of green energy on the East Coast,” said Virginia Beach Mayor William D. Sessoms Jr., announcing the group’s formation. “Promoting wind energy off Virginia Beach’s coast is good for business and good for the environment.”

Coalition members include developers, manufacturers, utilities, localities, businesses and environmental groups: BAE Systems Ship Repair, Colonna’s Shipyard, and Earl Industries. Others include Apex Offshore Wind, AREVA, the City of Virginia Beach, Dominion Virginia Power, Earl Industries, Fugro Atlantic, Old Dominion Electric Cooperative, Science Applications International Corporation, Seawind Renewable Energy Corporation, Weeks Marine and W. F. Magann. The coalition also includes organizations and individuals that endorse offshore wind in Virginia.

“Offshore wind can become an important and clean diversification of Virginia’s power generation portfolio in the coming years,” said Coalition Chairman Theo de Wolff, principal of Seawind Renewable Energy Corporation.

The coalition has two goals…

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Category: Business Community | 4 Comments »
Tags: Economy, Energy, Environment

HR Partnership | January 29, 2010

“The real story is how many people showed up tonight; there’s real passion in the region for high speed rail. This is the most important decision in Hampton Roads for the next 50 years.” — Attendee

We're on board with High Speed Rail…

Over 500 regional residents, public officials and private citizens alike, jammed into Norfolk’s Half Moone Cruise Terminal on the evening of January 28^th. Only negative comment heard during this Virginia Dept. of Rail and Public Transit’s (DRPT) federal hearing? Not enough seats! The crowd was standing room only!

What is the economic impact of bringing high speed rail to Hampton Roads? According to Mike Barrett, Chair of the Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance (HREDA), it’s $3 Billion and 30,000 jobs. As the 36th largest metropolitan area, this region deserves high speed rail. “Proximity equates to prosperity,” said Barrett. “We will see immediate return on investment from day one.”

New DRPT Director (and former Virginia legislator and U.S. Congressman), Thelma Drake, arrived late to the event due to a disabled car in the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel (HRBT). Drake explained that the mission of the DRPT is to expand the state’s transportation choices and increase mobility, adding that tonight’s crowd should show the federal government how critically important this project is to the citizens of the region.

Norfolk City Mayor Paul Fraim welcomed everyone and mentioned the announcement today of the $8 Billion in first-round awards for the High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail Program and how Virginia fared. (see White House Press Release)*

Read the full summary here, including public comments…

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Category: About Hampton Roads, Business Community, Economy, Government & Citizens, Military Bastion, Transportation, Visit HR | 7 Comments »
Tags: Economy, Environment, General Assembly, Hampton Roads, Military Bastion, Newport News, Norfolk, ODU, Regional, Transportation, Virginia Beach

HR Partnership | January 29, 2010

Download and read Hampton Roads Planning District Commission (HRPDC), Hampton Roads Review, Winter 2010

In this issue: Franklin Mill’s Closure Impact on the Region

• Hampton Roads Coastal Resources Technical Assistance Program
• Virginia Stormwater Management Regulations Passed by State Board
• Annual Regional Stormwater Effectiveness Indicators Report
• Norfolk School Awarded HR Green Project of the Year Award
• Wind Energy
• Water We Take for Granted
• How to Recycle Cooking Oil
• Climate Change Research Moves Into Second Year
• South Hampton Roads Disabilities Services Board Awarded Employment Awareness Grant
• Regional Benchmarking Study Released
• Highlights from Governor’s Housing Conference held in the Region
• Healthcare Organizations Emergency Preparedness Seminars Planned
• Hampton Roads Critical Infrastructure Protection Program Initiative
• Pre-Disaster Hazard Mitigation Planning Underway

Download and read Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization (HRTPO), Crossings, Winter 2010

In this issue: Hampton Roads’ Share of Stimulus Funding

• VDOT Six-Year Improvement Program Revisions
• HRTPO Passes Resolution Supporting Regional High Speed and Intercity Passenger Rail
• Passenger Rail Project Seeks Public Comments
• Update on Stimulus Projects in Hampton Roads
• A Conversation with Mayor Joe Frank
• Regional Safety Study Update
• Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Improvement Program and the Regional Surface Transportation Program (RSTP) Project Selection Process 2009
• Citizen Transportation Advisory Committee to Kick Off Soon
• Partnering with CNU to Gauge Public Pulse on Transportation Issues
• Limited English Proficiency Plan

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Category: Economy, Transportation | No Comments »
Tags: Economy, HRPDC, HRTPO, Transportation

HR Partnership | January 28, 2010

Hampton Roads is the most populous coastal metro area in the Eastern U.S. between New York City and Miami, one of the top three East Coast ports (with potential to be the largest, developed as a Port Hub), Virginia’s largest tourist draw and the nation’s largest accumulation of military installations and assets, making us “Pentagon South.”

“Hampton Roads: it’s now your time to be heard!” – Louis Guy

On Wednesday, January 20th, a few hundred residents of Hampton Roads braved rain and traffic-riddled roads to attend the High Speed Town Meeting, sponsored by regional “think tank” Future of Hampton Roads at the Granby Theater in downtown Norfolk.

The purpose? To enlighten, enthuse and engage citizens to make their voices heard during the Dept. of Rail & Public Transit’s (DRPT) Richmond to Hampton Roads Rail Project public comment period – by mail, email and public hearing – to bring higher speed intercity rail (HSR) to Hampton Roads by way of Richmond-Petersburg, connecting our region to the Northeast HSR Corridor as the southernmost terminus.

Bobby Wright, President of The Wright Companies, hosted and emceed the event. “I appreciate the (cities) leadership working together,” said Wright.

According to panelist City of Hampton Mayor Molly Joseph Ward, this very same morning, the Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization (HRTPO) voted to hire a consultant to “get smarter about high speed rail” by enhancing DRPT’s efforts. The question is: are we missing opportunities? We’re already behind.

Panelist Louis Guy, a retired Professional Engineer and former head of City of Norfolk Department of Utilities, said, “If we do things right and we stick to it, we can have high speed rail.”

Guy shared a regional rail history, telling of “years lost and millions wasted when planners jump to conclusions.” “We’re rushing to catch up because we’re late to the game,” said Guy. He didn’t mince words when he added, “…we were let down by our leaders in Richmond.”

HRTPO leaders have risen above past failures to collaborate to put Hampton Roads at the table for federal high speed rail dollars. Guy pointed to the powerhouse Virginia Urban Crescent that incorporates Washington DC/Northern Virginia – Richmond – Hampton Roads.

Ray Taylor, retired Navy Rear Admiral and President of Future of Hampton Roads, asked the Granby crowd to “turn the page, learn from history and get engaged no; we need 1000 people to go to each public meeting and to send in comments.”

The TPO Resolution (of October 30, 2009) is historic and a “recognition of common sense” according to Taylor. It represents, not a loss to the Peninsula, but a win for the entire region.

The entire build-out of high speed rail to Hampton Roads will require incremental progress over time, and the region must insist and insure that the wording of the EIS is compatible with the Southeast HSR Corridor. “Hampton Roads was an afterthought,” said Taylor.

Taylor said that for the future of the region, he would like to see the following added to the EIS under “next steps”:

• a commitment to assess availability of one-seat, through service for North-South travel;
• a better, more specific definition of the location of the Petersburg connection; and
• a process for planning a future connection from Norfolk to Raleigh, NC, adding that NC did this many years ago for the Winston-Salem connection and got it approved.

Taylor added that Hampton Roads’ citizens must demand that the federal government invest in Virginia’s Urban Crescent first.

During Q&A, the only negative comment from the participants at Wednesday’s Town Hall? France has trains with speeds up to 350 MPH; why are we thinking so small (slow) in Hampton Roads?

In response to questions about the economic “WIN-LOSE” f we don’t get high speed rail:

“The results would be catastrophic,” said Ward. “It’s essential that we’re part o that corridor.” Hampton Roads won’t be competitive for attracting corporate headquarters (HQs), younger generation, creative lifestyles; we will be a backwater. Charlotte, NC has been working on this for years and IS attracting HQs and young people.

A good comparison is what happened during the creation of the federal highway system over 50 years ago. See which areas thrived and which died due to highway access. The military, upon which our economy is so dependent, isn’t looking at adding anything here without addressing our transportation woes, including rail. We have a good chance at rail due to our geographic proximity to Washington, DC.

According to one attendee, “This is an idea that we can make a reality; this region deserves it. What happens here affects the whole world.”

Photo credit: Clyde Hoey, The Resource Group

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Category: Government & Citizens, Military Bastion, Transportation | 2 Comments »
Tags: American Public Transportation Association, Future of Hampton Roads, Hampton Roads, Military Bastion, Pentagon South

HR Partnership | January 28, 2010

Richmond Sunlight is a website aggregator full of information about the General Assembly, the lawmaking body that governs the state of Virginia. It is an independent, volunteer-run website that is in no way affiliated with the Virginia General Assembly or the state government. Be sure to check out the tools, especially “Photosynthesis” which allows you to easily track bills.

Thirsty for more?

The Daily Press Political Webpage provides an easy way to follow all of their Virginia General Assembly news on in place.

The Virginian-Pilot General Assembly Webpage is available, too.

And… don’t forget about the region’s political bloggers… from the left, the right, municipalities and right-down-the-middle. You will find their links under “Blogroll” on the left-hand sidebar.

Need a quick downloadable list of legislators? Check out the Hampton Roads Partnership’s Regional Links Webpage.

If you have news and views to share with the Hampton Roads region, contact us.

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Category: Government & Citizens | No Comments »
Tags: General Assembly, Hampton Roads, Politics, Virginia

HR Partnership | January 27, 2010

Many people in Hampton Roads have ties to the military. It’s a big part of our region and economy. There are many military issues that affect us and need to be discussed. Fred Metz talks about those issues in his blog, Military Affects All, recently added to the SmartRegion.org blogroll (see left-hand sidebar for links). He is a retired Navy Rear Admiral and continues to be involved with the active forces, city governments and the retired community.

A few recent highlights from Fred’s blog:

Jacksonville Mayor & CVN

From Jacksonville Mayor John Payton, State of the City, delivered 20 Jan 2010 …we will grow our military presence. Today, we are the proud home of the third largest Navy population in the country. With more than 75,000 direct jobs and 76,400 indirect jobs, it remains our largest employer and I am proud to be the mayor of a city that so many patriots call home.

This is the closest thing we have to a recession-proof business. And when a nuclear carrier is home ported in Mayport, Jacksonville will be home to nearly 10 percent of the Navy’s workforce…

Oceana–Mayport

I have been involved in Oceana and the BRAC process, since the 91 BRAC. I was sitting with Governor Mark Warner in DC in 2005 when the BRAC commission voted to move Oceana aircraft to Cecil Field in Florida. When Jacksonville decided they did not want the aircraft, the F-18’s remained at Oceana…

What is a CVN (Navy Nuclear Aircraft Carrier) Worth?

What does the region lose if a CVN goes to Mayport? …estimates that the transferring a CVN at Mayport would result in 2,900 jobs, $200 million in direct payroll, $208 million in disposal income, $10 million in local tax contributions.—press report, loss of USS George Washington from Norfolk, 450 Million in payroll and 8,200 military and civilian jobs.—regional chamber, 11,000 jobs and $650million in annual economic activity.—The mayor of Jacksonville said the carrier would bring about 3,190 military jobs and pump about $500 million into the economy ,—another press report said the economy activity related to one carrier can reach $1 billion a year”…

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Category: Military Bastion | 1 Comment »
Tags: Hampton Roads, Military Bastion

HR Partnership | January 26, 2010

“…run for the right reasons; don’t worry about regional decisions at the next local election.” — Hampton Mayor Molly Ward LEAD Hampton Roads (LHR), the oldest and largest business leadership network in the region, sponsored a Regional Governance Panel recently at the Town Point Club in Norfolk. The panel was moderated by Joel Rubin, LHR Class of 2000.

Panelists included:

• Bryan Collins (LHR ‘00), Councilman-City of Chesapeake and Former Board Member, Southeastern Public Service Authority (SPSA)
• Jim Oliver, Former City Manager-Cities of Hampton, Norfolk and Portsmouth
• Doug Smith, Councilman-City of Portsmouth and Member, Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization (HRTPO)
• Molly Joseph Ward, Mayor-City of Hampton and Vice-Chair, Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization (HRTPO)
• Jim Wood, Councilman-City of Virginia Beach and Board Chair, Hampton Roads Transit (HRT)

The panel started off with one of the benefits of graduating from LHR – learning that “regionalism” is a good thing.

There are more than just time challenges to serving on regional boards. At election time, citizens think about what officials did for them locally, not regionally, imperiling one at the ballot box for tough “regional” decisions. A large amount of city budgets go into regional agencies.

Leadership is about citizenship; citizens taking responsibility. “Can we build a culture to get to ‘YES’?” asked Oliver. “How many more regional failures do we need?”

Discussion included HRT, SPSA, HRTPO, Hampton Roads Sanitary District (HRSD), budget cuts, audience questions and more…

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Category: Government & Citizens | 1 Comment »
Tags: Chesapeake, Hampton, Hampton Roads, HRSD, HRT, Norfolk, Portsmouth, SPSA, Transportation

HR Partnership | January 25, 2010

The Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance (HREDA), under the helm of Board Chair Mike Barrett and HREDA President Darryl Gosnell, welcomed a large, diverse crowd to their Annual Meeting recently. The 2009 Annual Report (download here) was provided, in hard copy and via an interactive flash drive, and HREDA’s new logo and tagline “heart of the mid-atlantic” was unveiled (see above).

We were told that the Alliance is financially strong, with no debt, outperformed 2008 in terms of jobs created and was well over their goal of 300 qualified appointments last year. The Alliance is dependent on the public and private business sectors’ investments to continue their strong marketing outreach for the region. HREDA works closely with the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) in their efforts to bring new businesses to Hampton Roads.

Guest speaker, David Henderson, writer and former CBS News correspondent, spoke about making news in the digital era, the rise of social media and its effects on corporate communications.

By example, Tiger Woods’ recent actions amounted to more than just “bad” press. The deluge of the digital world has negatively affected more than just the man and his family but also the “brand” that is Tiger Woods. His lack of accessibility to both traditional and non-traditional media damaged his “brand” and his career far more than his actions warranted.

“He missed his window of opportunity,” Henderson said. “You can’t afford to stand in the shadows in today’s digital era.”

Henderson pointed out that corporate and personal values haven’t changed. To be an effective brand today, one must be open, transparent, timely, relevant and prepared for change. Know who you are.

Another example of branding in the digital world was shared by Henderson: Mark Cuban, billionaire entrepreneur & chairman of HDNet Television, says, “In the Internet age, executives have to learn how to shape information about themselves and their companies, or the Internet will do it for them, and it won’t be pretty.”

A brand must be “owned” by the CEO or organizational leader; value cannot be delegated, according to Henderson. Comparing high profile leaders of today, Steve Jobs (Apple) is a “leader that incites passion” while Michael Dell (Dell Computers) is a “manger that works behind the scenes,” said Henderson….

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Category: Economy | No Comments »
Tags: Economy, Hampton Roads, HREDA

HR Partnership | January 24, 2010

courtesy of the Port of Virginia’s Blog

On January 13th, Bank of America-Merrill Lynch Economist & Assistant V.P., Gary Bigg, addressed the second annual Hampton Roads Business Brief, sponsored by the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce.

Bigg painted a picture of cautious optimism regarding economic recovery in Virginia and the United States over the next 12-24 months. For calendar year 2010, real gross domestic product is forecast to grow by 3.2%. That growth in GDP should increase to 3.4% in 2011. Citing a weak dollar, Bigg expects solid growth in the heavy equipment and software manufacturing segments. As for the Port of Virginia, Bigg forecast, “…an export and import revival over the next two years that should help port activity.” Regarding inflation, Bigg expects relative stability.

Focusing specifically on the Virginia economy, Bigg said, “Government is a large component of this area’s economy and that sector is probably going to remain fairly strong over the next several years.” He was not as optimistic regarding the local housing market, stating, “There will be a slow recovery in the Region for the housing sector simply because of the massive amount of inventory that’s here (on the market).”

Photo credit: Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce

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Category: Business Community, Economy | No Comments »
Tags: Economy