Virginia Companies currently selling to foreign markets or those companies interested in selling overseas should check out the interactive web site www.exportvirginia.org.

John Tyler Community College (JTCC) has been named a Center of Excellence in Precision Manufacturing, and assumes the leadership role for the Commonwealth in assisting regional manufacturers with precision manufacturing training and retraining requirements. Thanks to the leadership of Bryce Jewett, president of Jewett Machine and Jewett Automation, and the support of more than 30 area manufacturing companies, JTCC has renovated its precision manufacturing lab, retrofitted and replaced machines, revised the instructional program with industry participation and endorsement, added “state-of-the-art” equipment, and secured financial support and donations of consumable supplies and tools from business partners. The program also received funding from the Virginia General Assembly (under HJR 622) to expand the program and assist other community colleges in replicating it.

Mark Friday, October 29th on your calendars for the Fifth Annual Virginia Works Conference, which will be held at John Tyler (JTCC) and J. Sergeant Reynolds Community College. The half-day program will begin at 7:30 a.m. with a breakfast and end at noon. As with last year’s conference, each of the two campuses will have a prominent statewide and national speaker to address the growing issues associated with workforce development. The speakers’ remarks will be uplinked from JTCC statewide and downlinked by participating Virginia Community College System campuses.

The Virginia Community College System (VCCS) has named John J. Sygielski as the first Vice Chancellor for Workforce Development. The new position will allow the VCCS to provide a central focal point for workforce development services thought the 23-college, 39-campus system, which of course includes John Tyler Community College.

White Tire Distributors, Inc. has purchased 6.5 acres on Willis
Road for construction of a 47,200 square foot distribution and
service center.