News Article

Governor McDonnell Announces New Regional Economic Competition

Assistance targeted to distressed areas to promote regional collaboration

Tuesday, June 07, 2011
Jeff Caldwell
Office of the Governor

RICHMOND - Governor Bob McDonnell today announced the Building Collaborative Communities program, a new effort designed to assist regions in creating and sustaining new economic opportunities across Virginia. The program will promote regional economic collaborations in economically-distressed areas to stimulate job creation, economic development, and build community capacity and leadership.

Speaking about this new program, Governor McDonnell said, "More than ever, regional, community-based strategies that capitalize upon the unique assets of our communities are necessary for success and long-term sustainability. Collaborative efforts represent the best opportunity for economic growth and prosperity, and this investment demonstrates the Commonwealth's commitment to supporting those areas of Virginia most in need of an economic development spark."

Building Collaborative Communities is a broad-based program that combines resources from a number of state entities, including the Lieutenant Governor's Office, Senior Economic Advisor to the Governor, Department of Business Assistance, Virginia Tourism Corporation, Virginia Economic Development Partnership, Department of Housing and Community Development, Virginia Community College System and other agencies as appropriate. The Commonwealth is providing $200,000 to support this program in FY2012, and this initial commitment is expected to leverage significant local and private resources.

Lieutenant Governor Bolling, Virginia's Chief Jobs Creation Officer, commented, "In the global economy, regions must serve as the economic unit. Research shows that in areas around the country where localities work together cooperatively, economic competiveness is enhanced. This program will create dynamic, regional partnerships capable of attracting jobs and private investments from across the world."

Workshops to assist interested applicants in learning more about this program and to provide technical assistance have been scheduled for the following dates:

June 14, 2011
2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center
Executive Auditorium
One Partnership Circle
Abingdon, Virginia

June 15, 2011
10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Southside Virginia Education Center
Golden Leaf Commons Building
1300 Greensville County Circle
Emporia, Virginia

To register for a workshop or to download the proposal guidelines, please visit http://www.commerce.virginia.gov/Initiatives/buildingCollabComm.cfm. Register by June 9, 2011 for the free workshop.

For additional information contact Ibbie Hedrick at 804-225-2487 or ibbie.hedrick@ltgov.virginia.gov.