Archived News and Events

CHPM Spring Meeting

The Center for High Performance Manufacturing at Virginia Tech (CHPM) Invites You to Join them at their Spring meeting to be held at The Four Points Sheraton in Blacksburg, VA May 21 & 22, 2003. For more information on CHPM and the spring meeting please go to www.eng.vt.edu/chpm

This year’s spring meeting promises to be the richest meeting they have had so far. In addition to hearing three outstanding keynote speakers, the new Dean of Engineering, Dr. Hassan Aref will be participating. He will share his view of VA Tech’s continuing commitment to provide high quality engineers and applied research efforts.

The structure of the meeting is designed to promote the two major attributes of our efforts: synergy and leveraging. Join CHPM to share your experiences and help steer their efforts. The meeting should provide great value for all who attend, as it will provide you a great opportunity to observe the Center in action and participate meaningfully in its activities. You may register on-line by going to www.eng.vt.edu/chpm

An abbreviated program overview –

    DAY ONE

  • Mr. Jeff Kohler, Executive Director of Virginia’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership will kick off the afternoon by sharing his view on the current use of lean technology throughout the Commonwealth.
  • CHPM will review and demonstrate their current research results.
  • During the poster session you will have the opportunity to interact with each project team and learn about their efforts and results. You can ask questions and test their models.
    DAY TWO

  • Keynote address by Mr. Donald Robb, Division Vice President and Plant Manager at the R.R. Donnelley facility in Salem. Mr. Robb will discuss the use of automation, lean manufacturing and continuous improvement technologies as integral components of his company’s success in the ultra competitive world of publishing.
  • Sessions during the day will be devoted to the interest areas and the nomination of additional Center Designated Projects to be undertaken by the Center.
  • The lunch speaker from the Virginia Economic Development Partnership will discuss ways they can assist existing businesses in Virginia.

Business Appreciation Week 2003

Chesterfield County joins Governor Mark Warner and the Virginia Department of Business Assistance in acknowledging the contributions of Virginia business during Business Appreciation Week, May 11-17. The theme of this year’s celebration is “Success Starts Here.”

Governor Warner will host business owners and executives from across Virginia at the Governor’s Appreciation Breakfast on May 12 in Richmond.

The entire economic development community gratefully acknowledged the benefits brought to the people of Virginia, and Chesterfield County, by the businesses that continue to operate here year after year. While much attention has been given to new incoming businesses and the positive impact they have on a given area, it is important to also recognize the contributions made every day by our existing companies.

We appreciate all of you!

Magellan Systems

Magellan Systems International, LLC, a producer of specialty fibers, will locate a research and development facility in Chesterfield County at 8310 Shell Road. The company will lease 30,000 square feet of space in the Jeff Davis Enterprise Zone Center. The company anticipates setting up a pilot plant facility at the same location by the end of 2003. It is estimated that 35 new employees will be hired by year end. Projected investment in the project will approach $42 million.

Magellan Systems International, LLC was organized in 1997 to seek, capture and provide paradigm-breaking technologies to the defense and industrial market sectors. Magellan has purchased the patents, intellectural property rights and equipment for the exclusive development of a new generation of high strength fiber technology called “M5 Fiber” which they will be developing at the Chesterfield County location.

The company was assisted by Chesterfield County Economic Development, the Greater Richmond Partnership, and Grubb & Ellis/Harrison & Bates.

Richmond.com has published an article with more information about Magellan Systems.

Chesterfield Receives 2002 Excellence in Education Certificate

Chesterfield County Public Schools received a 2002 Excellence in Education certificate of recognition from Virginia Tech for a summer Curriculum Academics program that helps teachers link curriculum, instruction and assessment of students.

Thirteen more Chesterfield county public schools were accredited by the Virginia Department of Education in 2002. This means that 53 of the county’s 58 public schools, or 91.4 percent, are now fully accredited. Schools have until 2007 to achieve full accreditation under the Standards of Learning.

Chesterfield also has opened its own General Equivalency Diploma (GED) testing center. The GED Testing Center is at the Chesterfield Technical Center and normally administers tests on the second and fourth weekends of each month. For information: 768-6140.

Wako Receives Accreditation from College of American Pathologists

Wako Chemicals USA Inc. Wako Diagnostics Clinical Laboratory, Richmond, Virginia, has been awarded an accreditation by the Commission on Laboratory Accreditation from College of American Pathologists (CAP), based on the results of a recent onsite inspection.

The laboratory’s director was advised of this national recognition and congratulated for the “excellence of the services being provided.” Wako Chemicals USA Inc. Wako Diagnostics Clinical Laboratory is one of the more than 6,000 CAP-accredited laboratories nationwide.

The CAP Laboratory Accreditation Program, begun in the early 1960s, is recognized by the federal government as being equal to or more stringent than the government’s own inspection program.

During the CAP Accreditation process, inspectors examine the laboratory’s records and quality control of procedures of the preceding two years. CAP inspectors also examine the laboratory’s records and quality control of procedures for the preceding two years. CAP inspectors also examine the entire staff’s qualifications, the laboratory’s equipment, facilities, safety program and record, as well as the overall management of the laboratory. This stringent inspection program is designed to specifically ensure the highest standard of care for the laboratory’s patients.

The College of American Pathologists is a medical society serving nearly 16,000 physician members and the laboratory community throughout the world. It is the world’s largest association composed exclusively of pathologists and is widely considered the leader in laboratory quality assurance. The CAP is an advocate for high-quality and cost-effective medical care.

Governor Warner Highlights Reforms To Workforce Training

Governor Mark R. Warner visited a workforce retraining program in Chester as part of Virginia’s strong, new emphasis on helping existing businesses retrain their workers in order to meet the competitive challenges of the new economy.

Governor Warner has made administrative reforms to – and proposed legislative reforms of – workforce training programs. He highlighted the new policies and proposals during a tour on January 31st of The HON Company, an office furniture manufacturer in Chester. The company will receive a grant from the state to help retrain 196 employees.

“Too often, workforce training programs only become available after a worker has lost his or her job through a layoff,” Governor Warner said. “There is a growing recognition that we need to place greater emphasis on training workers in existing businesses so that they can remain competitive and not lose their jobs in the first place.”

“The workforce retraining program here at The HON Company in is the kind of program we want to encourage throughout the Commonwealth,” he added.

The Governor announced that since launching the state Retraining Program in August 2002, 15 companies from throughout Virginia are already slated to receive a total of $1.1 million for retraining a total of 2,711 employees.

Under the Governor’s initiative, funds for the Retraining Program will come from the Workforce Investment Act, administered by the Virginia Employment Commission (VEC) and from the Virginia Department of Business Assistance (DBA). DBA will administer the program.

“This partnership between DBA and the VEC is a prime example of how state government is striving to be more accountable, efficient and responsive in an era of severe fiscal constraints,” said Governor Warner. “In today’s competitive knowledge-based economy, it is vital for Virginia to partner with employers by investing in the training of workers.”

The Virginia Workforce Council, comprised of representatives from the business community, developed this strategy as part of its overall recommendations for Virginia’s workforce development policy.
DBA’s Retraining Program provides consulting services and funding to companies to assist in training their existing work force. Companies participating in the program are typically integrating new technology into their production processes, changing product lines in keeping with marketplace demands, or changing service delivery processes that require new skills and technological capabilities. In addition to the retraining program, DBA offers the same recruiting and training assistance to companies creating new jobs and investment in the Commonwealth and has recently launched a new program targeting small businesses.

Training services are provided through Virginia’s community colleges, school districts, area vocational-technical centers, state universities, licensed and certified post secondary private institutions and from subject matter experts, consultants, or trainers from the applying business.

For more information on Virginia’s Retraining Program, contact the Virginia Department of Business Assistance at (804) 371-8120.

Route 288 About 75% Complete

Route 288 Bridge Over James River

The Route 288 project is now about 75% complete, and much of the grading work is nearly finished.

Work did slow because of the holidays and an unusually wet fall. The earthwork is now about 87% complete and the asphalt work 23% complete. Drainage work is under way. This work will allow water to flow away from the pavement, which helps to prevent erosion and damage to the road.

The Lucks Lane overpass and a portion of Route 288, from Route 76 to the Lucks Lane interchange is already open to motorists.

The new 17.5 miles of Route 288 are being built in three segments between the Powhite Parkway Extention (Route 76) in Chesterfield County and Interstate 64 in Goochland County. VDOT is managing two of the three segments. One VDOT-managed segment of Route 288 stretches from Route 76 to Charter Colony Parkway in Chesterfield County and the other VDOT-managed segment stretches from Charter Colony Parkway to the Powhatan County line.

APAC-Virginia Special Projects Division, Inc. oversees construction on the rest of Route 288, from the Powhatan County line to I-64 in Goochland County, funded under Virginia’s Public-Private Transportation (PPTA) of 1995.

The entire project is scheduled for completion in the fall of 2003.

For more information visit www.route288.com.

VecTec Presents a Workshop

The Virginia Electronic Commerce Technology Center (VecTec) of Christopher Newport University, in partnership with the Chesterfield County Community Development Block Grant Office and the Jefferson Davis Enterprise Center will present a workshop entitled “Bring the Customers In – Internet Marketing and Customer Service that Works” on March 13th from 9:30 – 11:30 at the Jefferson Davis Enterprise Center.

Learn how to successfully market your business on the Internet through a variety of strategies including: promotion strategies such as e-mail marketing and signature files; customer retention strategies like email newsletters; and search engine strategies. Real life examples will be presented with a special emphasis on customer service on the web. Discussion points to include:

  • Secrets to building loyalty
  • Ways to make customers feel extra special
  • Responding on-time on and offline
  • Up-to-date and accessible information
  • Online presentation of merchandise

Where:

Jefferson Davis Enterprise Center

8310 Shell Road

Richmond, Virginia 23237

This information session is FREE but seating is limited. Please make your reservation by contacting Kristen Folmar, Business Revitalization Coordinator, Chesterfield CDBG Department
Phone: 804.777.3004 or Fax: 804.748.7549

Community College Workforce Alliance

John Tyler Community College (JTTC) and J. Sargeant Reynodls Community College (JSRCC) are joining forces to create a new workforce development entity that will provide business, industry and government in the greater Richmond area with a single source for workforce development. The new organization is named the Community College Workforce Alliance.

The vision behind the alliance is to maximize the talents and resources of both institutions’ current workforce development centers in an effort to provide the greater Richmond area with a world-class regional workforce development organization.

“JTCC is looking forward to working closely with our colleagues at JSRCC in an effort to better serve the business community through one workforce development unit,” said Dr. Marshall Smith, president of JTCC. “Combining the talents and resources of both institutions makes good business sense, especially in a time of shrinking budgets and state support.”

The Community College Workforce Alliance will provide a variety of advantages to the business community, including:

  • Business and government will have a single source for workforce development in the greater Richmond area
  • Economic development can promote and draw upon regional workforce supports
  • The strengths of each institution will be combined to serve customers
    Programs, services and the talents of faculty and staff will be optimized

The alliance will offer classes and operate out of the existing workforce development centers at JTCC and JSRCC. The head of the alliance and interim vice president of workforce development is Ron Laux. Laux’s previous position was dean of workforce development at JTCC. In his interim position, he will report to both the president of JSRCC and the president of JTCC. In the 11 years that Laux has served at JTCC, he has developed a successful workforce development center that currently serves approximately 11,000 students and 1,400 companies annually.

John Tyler Community College is a two-year, public institution of higher education and is the sixth largest of the 23 community colleges in Virginia. From campuses in Chester and Midlothian and off-campus classrooms throughout the area, JTCC offers quality and economical opportunities in workforce development and training, transfer to four-year institutions and recreation and personal interest. The College serves more than 8,500 for-credit and 11,000 non-credit students each year and offers 28 associate degrees and 44 certificates.

For more information, please contact Linnie Carter at (804) 706-5006 or lcarter@jtcc.edu

Tax Tips for Small Business Owners

The Crater Small Business Development Center of Longwood University is sponsoring a free seminar, “Tax Tips for Small Business Owners” on Tuesday, February 11, 2003 from 9:00 am – 12:00 noon.

This is a series of educational workshops developed for small business owners. Some of the topics of this session include: how the Schedule C fits into your overall 1040 tax return; how to incorporate internally generated financial reports into your return; how to estimate quarterly tax payments; basic depreciation information; and, basic record keeping skills.

The seminar will be held at the Crater Planning District Commission Offices, 1964 Wakefield Street, Petersburg, VA. For directions please go to www.craterpdc.state.va.us. Because of limited seating, reservations are requested, please call 804.518.2003 or fax 804.518.2004.

Enterprise Zone Workshop

Chesterfield County Economic Development, the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development and the Jefferson Davis Enterprise Center will host a free Enterprise Zone Workshop on Wednesday, January 22nd, 2003 from 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM. The workshop will be held at the Jefferson Davis Enterprise Center at 8310 Shell Road, Richmond, Virginia.

Sabrina Blackett, Program Administrator of the Commonwealth’s Enterprise Zone Program and Karen Aylward, Project Manager with Chesterfield County Economic Development will present an overview of State and Local enterprise zone benefits offered through the Jefferson Davis Enterpise Zone. Sabrina and Karen will be available immediately following the presentation for individual consultations.

If you are a business located in the Jeff Davis Enterprise Zone, a business considering locating in the Enterprise Zone or if you own property in the Enterprise Zone, you are encourage to attend and learn how you may be able to take advantage of the incentives available.

To RSVP, contact Sandy Carter at 275-5190 or Karen Aylward at 748-3963 or email Karen at karen@chesterfieldbusinesss.com.

Call for Nominations: 2003 Business of the Year Award

Each year the Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors honors local companies that contribute to the county’s economy and its citizens. The intent is to give recognition to small, medium and large organizations that consistently uphold the principles and standards of ethical business practices and that advertise and sell with integrity, participate consistently in community, trade associations and local programs that better our county/region. How does the company respond to complaints, problems, or concerns brought to its attention? Does the company treat its employees with concern, respect, and equity? How does the company contribute to the local economy in terms of investment, tax revenue and jobs?

On behalf of Chesterfield County, the Department of Economic Development is inviting nominations for the 2003 Business of the Year. Anyone from within the community may nominate a company or a business may self-nominate. The nominated company may assist in filling out the entry form. Entry is free. The categories are:

  • Small Business – Company with 50 employees or less
  • Medium Business – Company with 51-300 employees
  • Large Business – Company with over 300 employees

Winning one of these awards brings significant benefits – prestige, media coverage, a boost for sales and marketing and increased staff morale.

How winners are chosen: After the nominations are received, the nominated companies will be contacted and asked to fill out an information form based on the following criteria. The selection committee, which will consist of business people and county staff selected for their business knowledge, will review the submitted entries by the nominated companies. The decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. The winners will be recognized during Virginia Business Appreciation Week in May 2003.

You may nominate a company by filling out the nomination form at www.chesterfieldbusiness.com/award/. The deadline for nominations is February 1, 2003.

Criteria I

Enhance the community where the employees work and live; include work
environment and community enhancements

Criteria II

Demonstrate financial success, economic contributions to Chesterfield
(in terms of investment, tax revenue and jobs), innovation and peer recognition
over the past three years

Criteria III

Demonstrate customer satisfaction and quality control
initiatives

Eligibility:

Must have been in business in Chesterfield County
for the past three years

Spanish Language and Cultural Training Seminar

The Spanish Academy and Cultural Institute and the Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce are offering a Spanish Language and Cultural Training Seminar on January 21st, 2003. You will learn about the Hispanic Community in our area, how to market to Hispanics and “Survival Spanish” that will help you communicate more effectively.

The seminar is being held at the Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce located at 10700 Midlothian Turnpike, Richmond, VA 23235. The seminar runs from 8:00 AM – 12:00 noon with a continental breakfast available at 7:30A AM. Cost is $125.00 (which includes your workbook).

To reserve your space today call 877-273-0248 or E-mail SpanishACI@aol.com.

Portable On Demand Storage

Chesterfield County is pleased to announce PODS – The portable storage container systems has located in The Oaklake Business Center. This ministorage is on wheels and brought right to you!

Bretmor Headwear

Chesterfield County is pleased to announced the newest company to locate in River’s Bend Warehouse II. This company is an importer/distributor of quality headwear on the East Coast.

Impact Award Given to Premier Pet Products

Sharon Bennett, CEO and founder of Premier Pet Products LLC, along with Evan Wooton, President, received the 2002 Impact Award at the Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce’s annual dinner.

The award was formerly the Small Business Person of the Year Award and is given to companies that demonstrate innovation, triumph over adversity, contribute to the community, experience significant growth or promote a high-quality work environment.

The company’s product line has expanded to include the Gentle Leader Headcollar, pet shampoos, pet treats and harnesses for birds and pigs.

Other finalists for the award included East West Partners of Virginia, Peoples Income Tax, Plan 9 Music and RightMinds. The award is sponsored by the chamber and First Market Bank.

DuPont James River Logistics Center

DuPont ‘s new warehouse and logistics complex is an 800,000 square foot facility for finished and semi-finished products manufactured at DuPont’s Spruance plant. Products such as Tyvek, Nomex and Kevlar are organized and warehoused at the center before shipment all over the world. The new location represents the consolidation of seven other warehouse sites on Commerce Road, Transport Street and Jefferson Davis Highway and is located on Bellwood Road in the Jefferson-Davis Enterprise Zone. This site will initially house 100 employees.

Devon USA, a commercial developer, owns the 75-acre site and leases it to DuPont. CCW Group Inc., a Greensboro, N.C.-based logistics provider, manages the center through its Richmond-based unit, Cenric Inc.

DuPont, based in Wilmington, Del., is one of the largest employers in the Richmond area with about 3,200 local employees as of Jan. 1, 2002.

Fiorucci Foods Receives Medium Business Award

Fiorucci Foods has received the Chesterfield County 2002 Medium Business of the Year Award. Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors established a Business Appreciation and Recognition Award to acknowledge existing businesses within the county that contribute to Chesterfield’s economy and its citizens.

Fiorucci Foods is located at 1800 Ruffin Mill Road in Chesterfield County. The company produces authentic Italian specialty meats. Fiorucci was founded by the Fiorucci family as a neighborhood store in 1850 and opened the Chesterfield plant in 1986.

Fiorucci’s customer base includes mainstream and specialty grocery stores, as well as restaurants across the country. One local customer is Ukrop’s Supermarkets. Fiorucci Foods currently employs 145 people.

The company participates in the United Way campaign and the American Heart Walk. Additionally, the company hires employees through the Chesterfield County Employment Services and Riverside Regional Jail.

Haverty’s Furniture

Haverty’s Furniture Company has located in the Ruffin Mill Industrial Park. The new building is approximately 130,000 square feet and Haverty’s will employ 75 at this location.

2002 Pretreatment Winners Announced

The Chesterfield County Department of Utilities Pretreatment Program recently presented awards to fourteen local industries for their contributions to the environment.

Receiving the Gold Award for achieving exemplary compliance with all pretreatment requirements and receiving no notices of violations or warnings during the reporting year were: Hill PHOENIX, Bellwood Printing Plant, U.S. Filter, Inc., Kaiser Aluminum, Wako Chemicals, USA, Inc., Virginia Water Systems, Inc., Carl Zeiss Optical, Inc., Shoosmith Brothers Truck Wash, Defense Supply Center Richmond and ALSTOM Power, Inc.

The Silver Award for achieving outstanding compliance with the pretreatment requirements and receiving only one warning during the reporting year was given to United Parcel Service and Quantum Silicones.

Defense Supply Center Richmond received the Most Improved Industry Award for significantly reducing their water usage, reducing the levels of pollutants in their waste stream and their multiple recycling efforts.

The Exemplary Pollution Prevention Award for their extensive recycling program and for maintaining their ISO 14001 industry certification for three periodical audits went to ALSTOM Power, Inc.

New Jobs and Retraining Initiatives

The Small Business New Jobs Initiative and the Retraining Initiative are two new programs under the Virginia Department of Businesses Assistance’s (DBA) Workforce Services Program that will better allow DBA to serve the needs of Virginia’s small businesses and the retraining needs for Virginia’s workforce.

Funding for these two new initiatives will come from the existing budget of
DBA’s Workforce Services Program. Companies must meet minimum job creation
and investment criteria in order to be eligible. The return on investment
for most projects under these initiatives will be one year.

The Small Business New Jobs Initiative, a pilot program for Fiscal Year
2003, will provide staff to work with for-profit, existing companies that
have been in operation for a minimum of one year to provide customized
recruitment and training to qualified workers at all skill levels for newly
created jobs.

In order to be eligible for the initiative, companies must:

  • Create a net of 5 to 24 new jobs within a 12-month period
  • Have a total of no more than 200 employees company-wide
  • Make a minimum capital investment of $100,000.

The results of this fiscal year’s pilot initiative will dictate future allocations and criteria.

The Retraining Initiative will provide consulting services and grants to companies to assist in retraining their existing work force. For the purposes of this initiative, retraining means an upgrade in skills for existing employees identified as essential to the production or distribution of a product or service. To be eligible for retraining funds, a company must demonstrate that it is:

  • Undergoing integration of new technology into its production process
  • Changing product or service line in keeping with marketplace demands
  • Substantially changing its service delivery process, which would require assimilation of new skills and technological capabilities by the firm’s existing labor force.

“…there is a critical need for Virginia’s existing businesses to retrain their workforce to remain competitive in the global economy,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade
Michael J. Schewel. “Life-long learning is necessary to keep up with the
technology-charged, highly automated production processes in businesses
today.”

For more information regarding DBA’s Workforce Services program, please contact the Virginia Department of Business Assistance at www.dba.state.va.us or (804) 371-8120.

Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Co.

Tokyo-based Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company announced that it will construct a Nylon-MXD6 production facility in Chesterfield County. The new production plant, based on Mitsubishi’s proprietary polymer technology, will be an investment of $14,000,000 and is expected to employ 30 new workers.

Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company is the world’s leading supplier of Nylon-MXD6. With headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, Mitsubishi develops, produces and markets top-quality polymers combining copolymer and additive technologies.

“Mitsubishi made this decision for several reasons,” said Sam Suzuki, marketing manager of the New York office. “First and most importantly, we wanted to provide better service and a more reliable supply to our customers in North America. In addition, all the environments in the area are well-suited to producing high quality nylon. It’s a state-of-the-art facility placed in an ideal location.”

“We’re pleased that Mitsubishi Gas Chemical has selected the Ruffin Mill Industrial Park in Southern Chesterfield for this production facility,” said Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors Chairman Kelly Miller. “Having met with the company early in the decision making process, I know they will be a welcome addition to the growing number of Japanese businesses already located in Chesterfield County,” Miller said. The Ruffin Mill Industrial Park is part of the Walthall Enterprise Zone.

Chesterfield County Administrator Lane B. Ramsey added, “Mitsubishi’s decision to locate in Chesterfield County underscores the county’s attractiveness as a viable location for high-tech manufacturing.”

The company is planning on breaking ground at the end of 2002, with production to begin April 2004. “Demand for Nylon-MXD6 has been growing globally,” Suzuki said. “Mitsubishi Gas Chemical is committed to the Nylon-MXD6 business as a key contributor to our global growth mission, so we are taking every action we can to meet the evolving needs of our customers.”

The company has successfully completed the expansion projects that began in early 2001 and owns approximately 30 million lbs. of production capabilities in Niigata, Japan. This new plant is based on innovative technology developed and patented by Mitsubishi.

The Chestefield County Department of Economic Development was assisted by the Greater Richmond Partnership and the Virginia Economic Development Partnership in securing this project for Chesterfield County.

Chester Company is Too Cool

Ukrops’ put handles on their grocery bags, now a local company has put handles on their ice bags. City Ice, located in Chester, is now selling some of its ice in heat-sealed bags with handles that makes handling the bags much easier. And the company makes the bags on site. The bags are not only easier to handle but tamper resistant.

City Ice, with assistance from Chesterfield County Economic Development, moved from its original location in Petersburg to a 7-acre track in Chester in 1998. Since then the company has invested over $2 million in the site and currently has 30 employees. The small, independent company produces “tube” ice, which is round versus square cubes with holes in the middle. The company can produce up to 65 tons of ice per day. The product is available in a 100-mile radius around Chester.

Chesterfield Utilities Earns Highest Bond Rating

Chesterfield County has earned an AAA bond rating on its Utility Department bonds from the three top rating services, Standard & Poor’s, Fitch Ratings and Moody’s Investors Service.

The Utility Department is one of only two water and sewer utilities in the nation to have the highest ratings from all three rating services.

Moody’s report cited that well-managed financial operations have produced a strong financial position, with low, rapidly retired debt levels and ample system capacity for future growth.