Virginia State University, located in southern Chesterfield County, has posted a new commercial on YouTube.
“Through education we can create a better world.” President Keith T. Miller, Virginia State University.
Archived News and Events
Costco opened a new state-of-the-art warehouse facility in Midlothian at 1401 Mall Drive on Thursday, May 12th. The new 148,000 square foot building replaces the original 111,000 square foot warehouse that was located on Hull Street Road. The building has the latest services that Costco offers, including a Gas Station, Hearing Aid Center and a Fresh Deli with Rotisserie Chicken.
“In addition to exciting new and expanded services, the relocation of a new, bigger and better Chesterfield facility will provide our members with an expanded product selection in numerous categories – including fine wines,” said Warehouse Manager Reid Cardon.
Prior to opening, Mr. Cardon and other employees of Costco participated in a ribbon cutting ceremony with members of the Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors and Administration, the Chesterfield Chamber of Commerce, and the Department of Economic Development.
Chesterfield County Announces 2011 First Choice Business Award Winners at Annual Celebrate Chesterfield Business! Event
(Chesterfield County) – Each year Chesterfield County honors local companies that contribute to the county’s economy and its citizens through the annual First Choice Business Awards. This year’s award winners were announced at the annual Celebrate Chesterfield Business! event held on May 3, 2011, at the Holiday Inn Koger Conference Center.
The Innovation Impact Award winner was ACAC Fitness & Wellness Center. ACAC Fitness & Wellness Center is the gold standard for health and wellness facilities. Their mission is to change lives and they are committed to serving people of all ages and fitness levels. ACAC’s physician referred exercise program, PREP, is groundbreaking in the health and fitness industry in that it unites the medical community, fitness professionals and residents towards a common goal of increasing physical activity & improving health among the citizens of Chesterfield County.
Priority Automotive was the winner of the Employee Impact Award. Priority Automotive group opened in the Richmond market in 2004. Since then, they have grown and Priority knows their success is because of their employees. They try to find new ways in which to show their employees how much they value them. The President of the company, Dennis Ellmer, attends monthly “birthday & anniversary luncheons.” The company hosts employees & their families to the circus each year to show their appreciation. Other events include beach parties and the annual Christmas party. Also, employees are able to participate in the company’s profit sharing program.
The Environmental Stewardship Award is designed to recognize a Chesterfield County business which has successfully displayed their efforts in being a responsible protector of the environment. This year’s winner was Ironbridge Sports Park and they were established in 2007. Some of their activities this past year included recycling paper, equipment oil, cooking oil, batteries and ink cartridges. They have donated family activity packets for fundraising events to over 400 organizations, donated 1,000 free park passes to each Chesterfield County public school and hosted Chesterfield County’s Anti-Litter Program Volunteer Celebration. They take pride in their facility by using earth friendly cleaning products and doing regular litter pick up.
This year’s winner of the Community Impact Award was Hoover & Strong. Hoover & Strong has a strong company commitment both on a corporate and individual level to community service. The company has supported numerous local organizations, donating $60,000 dollars this past year to groups such as the Alzheimer’s Association, MDA of Richmond and the American Red Cross just to name a few. Their employees have given generously to CHASM Thanksgiving basket program, sponsored four families during the Christmas holiday and collect money each year for the “Hoover Gift”. This year’s Hoover Gift was donated to the Richmond Food Bank. It is Hoover & Strong “family” philosophy to give back to the community.
The 2011 First Choice Business of the Year was awarded to Austin Brockenbrough & Associates. This award is designed to recognize a Chesterfield County business, which has been a leader in terms of overall impact to the County.
Austin Brockenbrough & Associates (AB) is a multi-disciplined consulting engineering firm. They recently completed their expansion into new offices in the Boulders Office Park in Chesterfield County.
AB has a long history of providing high quality services to Chesterfield County working on such projects as the Reams Gordon Library plan and Eastern Midlothian Streetscape project.
To confirm their commitment to environmental stewardship, Brockenbrough took a “green” whole-building approach to their office up fit and earned the first ever Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Commercial Interiors certification (LEED CI) in the Greater Richmond Metropolitan area.
The company’s commitment to giving back to the community is exemplary. They have provided assistance to several county projects such as the new dugouts at Thomas Dale High School and mentoring students in the LC Bird Pre-engineering specialty center.
AB is a true example of commitment to community and has had a profound positive impact on Chesterfield County.
“Existing business is the heart beat of economic development. Their sustainability and growth are paramount to Chesterfield County’s continued stability and strength. We are very proud to recognize our 2011 Business Award winners,” said Chesterfield County Administrator James J. L. Stegmaier.
“Congratulations to all of our 2011 First Choice Business Awards winners. This Board is dedicated to economic development as a priority and is committed to creating a business climate that is conducive to growth,” said Art Warren, Chairman of the Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors.
The Board of Supervisors will recognize all the First Choice Business Award winners at their June 15, 2011 meeting.
For more information on this year’s Celebrate Chesterfield Business! contact Tina Shreve at (804) 318-8550, or email at tina@chesterfieldbusiness.com
Chesterfield County Economic Development Announces Celebrate Chesterfield Business!
Chesterfield County and this year’s sponsors join the Commonwealth of Virginia in celebrating Business Appreciation Week throughout the Commonwealth. Coordinated each year by the Virginia Department of Business Assistance, Business Appreciation Week is scheduled for May 2nd–6th, 2011.
This year’s Business Appreciation Week theme is “Entrepreneurship and Innovation for a Sustainable Future”. The Commonwealth and Chesterfield County recognize the efforts of each business – corporate leaders and small business owners alike – for their continuous work and dedication. Virginia businesses play a pivotal role in strengthening the Commonwealth by embracing job creation, innovative technologies and employing a diverse workforce to preserve the economic well being of all citizens. “Local businesses contribute to the strength of our local economy and provide enhanced quality of life for our residents,” said Chesterfield County Administrator James J. L. Stegmaier. “I am privileged to officially thank every business in our community during Business Appreciation Week.”
Chesterfield County Economic Development along with Dupont, this year’s Master Sponsor and the Holiday Inn Koger Conference Center, the Venue Sponsor, will host this year’s Celebrate Chesterfield Business! for local businesses in honor of Business Appreciation on May 3rd, 2011 from 4:30 –7:30 PM. An invitation to the event is required. If you are interested in attending, and are a Chesterfield County business, please contact Economic Development. Driving directions are avaliable here.
This year’s Media Sponsor is the Richmond Times-Dispatch. Other sponsors include Townes Engineering, Dominion Virginia Power, Columbia Gas of Virginia, Village Bank, Chesterfield County Chamber of Commerce, and the Greater Richmond Partnership.
This year Chesterfield County will be announcing the Annual First Choice Business Award winners during the event. Village Bank was the 2010 Business of the Year recipient.
For more information on this year’s Celebrate Chesterfield Business! contact Lori Perez at (804) 318-8567, or email at lori@chesterfieldbusiness.com
Area Groups and Community Leaders Come Together to Make Swimming More Accessible to Richmond
An unprecedented number of area organizations and community leaders are coming together to elevate the sport of swimming while giving greater access to swim lessons and water safety education to youth in the region. The Greater Richmond Aquatics Partnership, which merges some of our area’s finest education and sports organizations including Collegiate School, Trinity Episcopal School, Poseidon Swimming, Richmond Kickers Youth Soccer Club and Sports Backers, today announced the construction of the new Aquatics Center.
One of the primary goals of the Greater Richmond Aquatics Partnership is to establish programs for Richmond’s underserved youth who do not currently have access to swim lessons. With an estimated 60% of minority kids not able to swim, the new Aquatics Center has as its goal the ability to offer accessible programs for area youth while promoting health and wellness among all area residents.
“With nearly 158,000 children under the age of nine in metro Richmond, offering a swim education program is vital for the safety and physical fitness of our kids,” said Bobby Ukrop, President, Greater Richmond Aquatics Partnership. “Currently, the YMCA runs programs for 35 of the more than 120 elementary schools in the area. That means 70% of our schools are not participating in any kind of swim program. My fellow team members and I are hoping to close that gap while at the same time elevating swimming as a lifelong participatory sport among the million residents of our region.”
At over 50,000 Square Feet, the Aquatics Center will feature three pools including the pool used at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials in Omaha, NE where some of our country’s best swimmers set many national records. This 50-meter eight-lane competition pool with moveable bulkheads will be the cornerstone of the center. Aquatics Center patrons will also have access to a therapy pool and a 25-yard warm water pool available for lessons and other water sports. A vast 7,000 square foot mezzanine grandstand will seat up to 700 spectators.
Construction of the Aquatics Center is slated for later this month and is expected to take ten months. The facility will boast a community room, an indoor fitness facility, ample parking, locker rooms and plenty of storage space. In the future, it will offer a 5,000 square foot space for physical therapy and rehabilitation services. Membership fees for use of the fitness and pool facilities will be announced at a later date.
The Aquatics Center will also provide an economic boost to the region. With the ability to host significant swim competitions– high school local and state swim meets; local, state and regional club swim meets sanctioned by Virginia and USA Swimming–the Greater Richmond Aquatics Partnership anticipates the facility will bring over $2 million to the area annually through sports tourism.
Jon Lugbill, Executive Director of the Sports Backers said, “The economic benefits go beyond the $2 million annual economic impact of events held at the pool, but bring an immeasurable benefit to Richmond by raising the confidence of our kids who will take part in these new swimming opportunities provided by the Center. We are looking forward to being able to fuel the local economy and develop the youth of the region—all at the same time.”
The Aquatics Center will be located in Ukrop Park, near the intersection of Chippenham Parkway and Route 10 in Chesterfield County, and will cost an estimated $14 million to build. To date, the Greater Richmond Aquatics Partnership has raised all but the $4 million needed to finish construction and is kicking off a capital campaign to raise these funds.
“The Aquatics Center will be a wonderful addition to Ukrop Park and the perfect complement to the Kickers’ dream of providing a sports venue that entertains, invites community participation and inspires our residents,” said Leigh Cowlishaw, Director of Soccer/Head Coach, Richmond Kickers Pro Team. “Sports provide countless character building moments and offer the perfect vehicle to teach life skills to nurture the next generation of role models for our community.”
A Campaign Cabinet of some of Richmond’s most influential leaders has been assembled to see this vision come to life. Some of the members include Bill Axselle, Bobby Ukrop, Marcus Weinstein, John Watkins, Fred Tattersall, Shawn Boyer, Tom Chewning, Keith Evans, Mary Doswell, Rob Estes, Jon Lugbill, Jerry Fox, Palmer Garson, Bruce Heilman, Jim Holland, Stephanie Kirksey, Bryce Powell, Tom Rohman, Rick Sharp, Wally Stettinius, Nancy Thomas, Walter Robertson, III, Jim Weinberg, and Marcus Newsome.
For more information about the Aquatics Center, visit www.greaterrichmondaquaticspartnership.org
Volkswagen of America has selected Priority Automotive to build a new dealership in the Richmond area. The new dealership, to be called Priority Volkswagen, is being built adjacent to Priority Toyota, Priority Scion, Priority Nissan and the Priority Collision Repair Center. The Priority complex is located on I-95 at Walthall Center Drive in Chester. Priority acquired the property several years ago with plans to build multiple dealerships at that location.
Priority was selected from several dealer groups vying for the new franchise, based on demonstrated success in Richmond and other markets and a history of aggressive marketing programs. Priority has carved a unique niche for its dealerships by offering a number of trend-setting services which have been the first of their kind in the industry. Priority sets itself apart with its Priorities For Life program which includes engine guarantee for life, oil and filter changes for life, state inspections for life, and other benefits on new and used vehicles. The dealership recently added free towing as another benefit of their Priorities For Life program. Priorities For Life now serves more than 50,000 car and truck owners.
Priority Automotive was founded by Dennis Ellmer in 1999 when he acquired a Chevrolet and Toyota dealership in Chesapeake, Virginia. From the two original dealerships Ellmer has built Priority to become one of the largest dealership groups in the nation. Most Priority dealerships consistently hold the dominant market share in their respective markets.
In addition to Priorities For Life, Priority offers free manicures on Women’s Day Wednesdays at all dealerships. Free car washes are included with each service visit at no cost. And the company continues to add special services such as massage chairs in service lounges to make customer service visits not just pleasant but desirable.
“We are very excited about building a new Volkswagen dealership to serve the Richmond market, including our backyard of Chester and the Tri-Cities,” said Ellmer. “Volkswagen has some exciting plans for the American market with a lot of new products in the pipeline and we’re glad to be a part of them. We think a product like Volkswagen is a perfect fit with our philosophy of putting customers first in everything we do.” Bermuda District Supervisor Dorothy Jaeckle welcomed the announcement. “Priority Automotive is investing $7.5 million and creating more than 50 new employment opportunities with this venture. We welcome this addition and wish them much success,” she said.
According to Ellmer, construction is underway and Priority Volkswagen is expected to open in late 2011.
– Two-year program provides resources to support international business –
The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) today announced the acceptance of four Central Virginia companies into its two-year Virginia Leaders in Export Trade (VALET) program. Launched in January 2002, the program assists exporters in the Commonwealth that have firmly established domestic operations and are committed to international exporting as an expansion strategy.
The new companies accepted into the program include Alliance Engineering, Inc. of Chesterfield County; FDP Virginia, Inc. of Essex County; Mikro Systems, Inc. of Albemarle County; and Northland Forest Products, Inc. of Fluvanna County.
Currently, the VALET program has 40 companies as participants. Because of the proven results of the program’s graduates, the VALET program will continue to expand to work with more Virginia companies over the course of the next six months. In addition, new participants in the program will have access to $15,000 in reimbursement funds from the Commonwealth. The program provides participating companies assistance from a team of experienced international service providers to help them meet their international goals. Private sector service providers such as attorneys, Web designers, bankers, translators and freight forwarders contribute essential expertise for expansion into international markets.
These Virginia companies join the program as part of the 19th class of VALET companies. To participate, each eligible business must meet several quantitative criteria and complete an application process. Participating firms are chosen based on their dedication to growth through export. Currently, more than 140 Virginia companies have been accepted to participate in the VALET program.
“The VALET Program generates international sales for Virginia companies,” said Paul Grossman, VEDP Director of International Trade and Investment. “Since its inception in 2002, the program has worked with more than 140 companies to increase their international sales. Because of the program’s proven success and because jobs are created when Virginia companies sell more into global markets, it is important that we expand the VALET Program to assist more Virginia companies. We are happy to welcome these companies to the program and look forward to working with them over the course of the next two years.”
The Virginia Economic Development Partnership, a marketing organization, was created by the Virginia General Assembly in 1995 to encourage, stimulate, and support the development and expansion of the economy of the Commonwealth. The Partnership is a state authority, which is governed by a 22-member Board of Directors appointed by the Governor and the Virginia General Assembly. To accomplish its objectives of promoting economic expansion within the Commonwealth, the Partnership focuses its efforts on business recruitment, expansion and international trade. VEDP has offices in Virginia, Belgium, Hong Kong, Mexico and Japan.
To learn more about VALET program, visit www.ExportVirginia.org.
The Richmond-Times Dispatch has posted a profile in the Metro Business section about Chesterfield Economic Development Director, Will Davis. Times-Dispatch writer Zachary Reid reports on the interesting economic development work happening Chesterfield County .
Will Davis can sell a piece of land.
He will look over a swath of earth most people would never notice and figure out some way to make it a community.
It could be full of complementary retail outlets, or it could be industrial factories. What the project is doesn’t matter as much as that there is a development.
…
Facility includes 250,000 sq ft of Court Sports, Olympic Pool & Fitness Center Programs
SportsQuest took a major step forward today as the company revealed plans to break ground this week on what has been described as a premium jewel of their West Campus. The impressive building will allow SportsQuest members to enjoy another 13 sports and fitness center activities. The announcement is already sparking attention from Olympic, Professional and Amateur sports groups around the country.
Spectacular Home for Sports Training. With 15 basketball courts underway, Tony Tucker, one of the top basketball trainers in the world recently moved to Chesterfield County to direct the SportsQuest basketball program. “Top NBA players are making commitments to support training at SportsQuest,” remarked Tucker. “If you are an up and coming basketball player, who wants to maximize your game, you need to train with Tony Tucker,” said Chauncey Billups, NBA Player with the Denver Nuggets, “It’s been a great advantage working with Tony throughout my career.” Billups’ personal success is a testament to SportsQuest training programs as Billups’ training with Tucker has been credited as one of the reasons he was the 3rd player selected in the NBA Draft.
Major Platform for Sports Tournaments. The AAU, the largest youth sports group in the country, is the first sports group to take advantage of the facility by awarding SportsQuest a 20-year commitment for the AAU National Sports Festival. This tournament will be held annually at SportsQuest over a nine day period the last two weeks in June. “The first event is scheduled June 18-26, 2010 and will include over 20 sports,” said Travis Bullock, Governor of Virginia AAU, “our National Sports Festival held at SportsQuest should become one of the largest youth sporting events in the country.” Facility access throughout Richmond is expected to augment the SportsQuest campus spreading the regional benefits. The event will be energized by AAU National marketing to its approximately 600,000 athlete members and is projected to bring over 100,000 players, team supporters, and family members annually to greater Richmond. Sports Tourism economists project the economic impact to bring well over $10 million annually to the greater Richmond region during the nine day event.
Olympic Interests in SportsQuest continues. Recent Olympic visitors were seven senior leaders of Olympic, National Team, and youth Club programs at USA Field Hockey, including Steve Locke, Executive Director, Lee Bodimeade, National Women’s Team Coach, Laura Darling, Olympic and Athlete Development Managing Director, and Karen Collins, Director of Events. “Dr. Burton’s energy is boundless, and he has created a spectacular venue unlike anything I have seen in this country,” said Locke, “the fields are spectacular and the uniqueness of the property is provided through the inclusion of significant sports science, sports medicine, and high tech enhancements.” The announcement falls on the one-year anniversary of the SportsQuest’s Olympic Sports Summit, which attracted over 1,100 local residents and was the largest collection of Olympic Governing Bodies to ever assemble in our region.
The Olympic Pool, Cardio, Strength & Aerobic Fitness Center is going to drive expanded aquatics programming for competitive swimming, water polo and synchronized swimming. It will also provide excellent state-of-the-art fitness and family entertainment for thousands of Family, Couple and Single Campus Members who have decided to make SportsQuest their fitness, sports, and entertainment site.
Professional Sports Venue. The facility will also become the home for SportsQuest Professional Sports like the Richmond Revolution, who are entering the 2nd season after a record setting 13-1 season and winning IFL franchise of the year. Intimate seating for over 3,000 people will create a unique and outstanding experience for our fans to enjoy a wide range of professional indoor sports.
Bon Secours has celebrated the start of Chesterfield’s newest health-care facility, Bon Secours St. Francis Watkins Centre. The new project will bring an influx of capital investment, 150 new jobs to northwest Chesterfield County and increased availability of ambulatory services for the county’s fast growing population.
St. Francis Watkins Centre will include the area’s only freestanding emergency department as well as an imaging center and physician office space. The new Bon Secours campus will be located at the corner of Route 288 and Midlothian Turnpike, just 4.5 miles from Bon Secours St. Francis Medical Center.
“Bon Secours has received tremendous support from Chesterfield County and its residents and we are pleased to serve the community,” said Peter J. Bernard, CEO of Bon Secours Virginia. “Five years ago we made a significant commitment to the county with the opening of St. Francis Medical Center. Our expectation is that residents will welcome the services of Watkins Centre as they did our hospital.”
St. Francis Watkins Centre is located in the northwest part of the county, and will service three large residential and commercial areas of Chesterfield, as well as Powhatan, Amelia, Goochland and western Henrico counties.
The facility will be built in phases, with Phase I consisting of 100,000 square feet of space that includes a freestanding emergency department, a comprehensive diagnostic imaging center and a physician medical office building which will house primary care, obstetrics and gynecology and internal medicine physician practices.
When Phase II is completed, the total medical campus will consist of some 200,000 square feet of space. Plans for Phase II are still under development.
“An important part of any community is making certain that quality health care is readily available to its citizens,” said Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling. “The construction of Bon Secours St. Francis Watkins Centre will do just that with a free standing emergency department, imaging center and physician office space. But, this project is also important to our economic development efforts. It will result in significant capital investment in Chesterfield County and create 150 new jobs. We appreciate the strong contribution that our friends at Bon Secours have made to the Commonwealth over the years, and we are delighted that they continue to invest in our state.”
According to Chesterfield Country officials, the Midlothian area surrounding the Watkins Centre is expected to grow significantly in 10 years, creating a need for more medical services to accommodate the growing population.
“The health care industry is one of our primary economic development target markets,” said Daniel A. Gecker, chairman of the Chesterfield Board of Supervisors. “The economic impact of St. Francis Watkins Centre will be significant for Chesterfield; not only are we adding accessible, quality health care, but the number of jobs the project will generate is substantial.”
The project is scheduled to begin in the coming weeks, with a completion date for Phase I scheduled for late 2011.
Bon Secours is a not-for-profit Catholic health system with four hospitals in the greater Richmond metropolitan area; St. Mary’s, Memorial Regional, Richmond Community Hospital and St. Francis Medical Center, as well as Bon Secours Medical Group which is composed of more than 40 physician practice groups, home health and hospice.
In this photo from left to right:
The Honorable Daniel A. Gecker,
Chairman, Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors
Mr. Malcolm S. Sina,
CEO, The DASCO Companies, LLC
Mr. Peter J. Bernard,
CEO, Bon Secours Virginia Health System
The Honorable Bill Bolling,
Lieutenant Governor of Virginia
Sister Anne Marie Mack, CBS
Senior Vice President Sponsorship, Bon Secours Richmond Health System
The Honorable John C. Watkins,
State Senator of Virginia
Governor McDonnell Announces 75 New Jobs in Chesterfield County
Governor Bob McDonnell announced today that Merit Medical Systems, Inc., a leading manufacturer and marketer of proprietary disposable medical devices, will invest $1 million to expand its operations in Chesterfield County. The project will create 75 new jobs.
“Merit Medical Systems has become a nationally recognized name since its founding nearly 25 years ago,” said Governor McDonnell. “The company has found success in Chesterfield County since 2004. Despite today’s challenging economic times, Merit Medical continues to serve market demand, which allows the company to grow. I am pleased that this expansion will bring 75 new jobs that perform a vital service for the healthcare industry.”
“As Merit Medical System’s sole Virginia operation, Chesterfield County provides the company with great access to its east coast market,” said Jim Cheng, Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade. “In addition to a strong local workforce, the company benefits from its strategic location.”
Founded in 1987, Merit Medical Systems, Inc., is engaged in the development, manufacture and distribution of proprietary disposable medical devices used in interventional and diagnostic procedures, particularly in cardiology, radiology and gastroenterology. Merit serves client hospitals worldwide with a domestic and international sales force totaling approximately 125 individuals. Merit employs approximately 2,170 people worldwide, with facilities in Salt Lake City and South Jordan, Utah; Angleton, Texas; Richmond, Virginia; Maastricht and Venlo, The Netherlands; Paris, France; Galway, Ireland; Beijing, China; Copenhagen, Denmark; and Rockland, Massachusetts.
“We are excited to expand our operations in Chesterfield County, where we have found highly-skilled employees and great access to the East Coast,” said Fred P. Lampropoulos, Merit’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “Our business there is thriving even in these uncertain economic times.”
The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Chesterfield County and the Greater Richmond Partnership to secure the project for Virginia. Through its Virginia Jobs Investment Program, the Virginia Department of Business Assistance (VDBA) will provide funding and services to support the company’s recruitment and training activities.
“We are so pleased when one of our existing businesses expands”, said Dan Gecker, Chairman of the Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors. “It demonstrates that they have found Chesterfield County to be a profitable business environment, and it certainly gives us a keen appreciation for their continued growth. We congratulate Merit Medical on their success and thank them for their investment and job creation.”
The Virginia Department of Transportation and Chesterfield County, assisted by Congressman J. Randy Forbes, Curtis Contracting, Inc. and the Chesterfield County business community, conducted a groundbreaking ceremony today to commemorate the start of work on the Meadowville Road interchange that will link Interstate 295 to the Meadowville Technology Park.
The project is the result of a successful partnership between the Federal, State, Local governments and the Chesterfield business community, resulting in the funding for this $17 million project. As supported by the business community a portion of the business license tax collection will be used to pay part of the County funding of the project. The project is projected to create 1,100 jobs during construction.
The interchange will serve the 1,300 acre Meadowville Technology Park one of the premiere economic development sites in the state. The property is marketed to business prospects around the world.
VDOT is managing the project and construction will be completed next fall.
By Will Davis
DIRECTOR, CHESTERFIELD ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
This year (2010) has been a challenging but very exciting time for the Chesterfield Economic Development Department. In a recovering economy, our team has worked hard to capture a wide variety of new business projects. These projects will generate jobs and investment in our community that will help improve the business climate for everyone.
We were delighted that DuPont announced it will build its new $20 million manufacturing facility for Energain Separators right here in Chesterfield. These nanofiber-based separators will help generate more power and longer battery life for hybrid and electric vehicles. This project is a perfect example of a “green” industry, which is an important component of our advanced manufacturing target-marketing program.
DuPont could have chosen to build this new operation in any number of other localities. Due to the nature of the operation, competition among communities to land the project was fierce. But DuPont picked Chesterfield because of the tremendous local work force and the success it has achieved at its other Chesterfield operations.
Austin Brockenbrough & Associates also recently expanded into new offices at the Boulders. This expansion resulted in a $700,000 investment and the creation of 11 new jobs. The Brockenbrough office is the first “green” certified interior design in the Greater Richmond region and the only private sector interior design project in Chesterfield County to earn the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Commercial Interiors (LEED CI) certification. This investment reflects Brockenbrough’s commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainability.
However, recruiting new business and assisting existing businesses is not enough. The biggest job creators in the county are small businesses. So we are making it easier for entrepreneurs to start and grow new businesses in Chesterfield.
In September, Chesterfield Economic Development and the Chesterfield County Public Library partnered to launch the new small business initiative, “My Business Starts Here.” Local business operators now have an easier, more comprehensive way to get the information and support they need when starting or sustaining a small business. A new web portal, www.MyBusinessStartsHere.com, helps potential entrepreneurs and existing small businesses navigate the abundant resources available. Users can be guided, step-by-step, through the process of starting a business, zero in on industry specific requirements, ask specific questions about doing business in the county, get guidance about regulations or county processes or identify potential sources of capital.
The Chesterfield County Public Library’s new Small Business Resource Center is designed with the small-business operator’s needs in mind. The center can be used as a second office, a meeting place, a staff- training facility or a research lab. Desktops, laptops, current books and magazines and a variety of small-business tools are available – guided, step-by-step, through the process of starting a business, zero in on industry specific requirements, ask specific questions about doing business in the county, get guidance about regulations or county processes or identify potential sources of capital.
The Chesterfield County Public Library’s new Small Business Resource Center is designed with the small-business operator’s needs in mind. The center can be used as a second office, a meeting place, a staff- training facility or a research lab. Desktops, laptops, current books and magazines and a variety of small-business tools are available – all free of charge. Users can also receive one- on-one assistance from professional librarians or economic development staff. The first Small Business Resource Center opened within the Meadowdale Library branch but future plans include additional centers in other libraries and locations throughout Chesterfield County.
We are beginning to see hopeful signs of recovery in our local economy. With the expansion and growth of our existing businesses and an easier path to starting a business, business really does start and grow in Chesterfield County!
This article originally appeared in www.chesterfieldobserver.com .
Garden Ridge will open the doors of it’s new home decor store in Chesterfield Towne Center today. The 109,933 square foot store will occupy the former Dillard’s space between J.C. Penney and Sears.
This store will be the first that Garden Ridge has opened in a traditional shopping mall. The retail operation will add home furnishings and home decor to the product mix offered in Chesterfield Towne Center.
The Garden Ridge store is located on the north end of the mall near Koger Center Boulevard. Just across the street, site work and construction of a new Costco Wholesale warehouse continues.
Focus will be to expand National Tournament Series for Youth and Adult Soccer
For over 30 years the Richmond Strikers have been building a soccer tournament series that today brings about 50,000 people and over ten million dollars of economic impact and 15,000 hotel room reservations to the greater Richmond area every year. Their nationally ranked Jefferson CupTM soccer tournament is already widely recognized by youth soccer clubs, college coaches, and Nike Soccer as one of the penultimate tournaments for high performance soccer teams. The agreement announced today provides for an exclusive 10‐year tournament partnership between SportsQuest and Strikers, who now collectively own and operate the largest platform of soccer fields in the world as well as an operational team perfectly positioned to create similar nationally recognized tournaments for mid‐level youth travel teams, recreational youth teams, and adult teams.
“It was a natural fit and a genuine strategic opportunity to energize our already nationally recognized youth tournament series,” stated Scott Turner, Striker’s Executive Director, “SportsQuest’s expertise in family entertainment, sport development capabilities, and outstanding campus will enhance the services that we offer to families who travel to our soccer tournaments and provide us with enough synthetic turf fields to avoid having to cancel a tournament due to inclement weather. Our partnership will also dramatically increase club revenues used to fund our not‐for‐profit mission to provide high quality soccer programming to youth of all ages and abilities.”
“We were tremendously excited when Scott approached us with the proposal to partner with the Strikers on soccer tournaments,” remarked Steve Burton, SportsQuest CEO, “the Striker partnership provides our business model immediate credibility and is the first of many similar partnership announcements SportsQuest will be making over the next few months.” Turner and Burton reported that the leadership and governing Boards of both the Strikers and SportsQuest voted unanimously to approve the tournament partnership.
Dan Gecker, Chairman of Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors and a strong supporter of SportsQuest, stated, “we are delighted with the partnership between SportsQuest and Strikers to bring tournaments to the SportsQuest venue; it is consistent with our desire to promote sports tourism in Chesterfield County.” Gecker added, “we expect that this is the first of many announcements of top‐quality events coming to the SportsQuest site.”
The agreement allows the Strikers and SportsQuest to combine their efforts to develop a platform of excellent soccer programming and family entertainment over a proposed annual series of five soccer tournaments that will ultimately bring over 100,000 people to the greater Richmond area during eight weekends each year.
Turner and Burton both emphasized that their existing agreement is focused singularly on tournaments and does not affect the Strikers current structure or programming, nor does it preclude SportsQuest from partnering with other local youth soccer clubs for league play and sport development programs. “We look forward to continued discussions with the Chesterfield youth soccer clubs,” stated Tim O’Sullivan, Executive Director of SportsQuest Soccer, “we are dedicated to delivering quality soccer at all levels.”
SportsQuest, the Chesterfield County-based sports and entertainment enterprise, has partnered with the largest independent soccer group in the area — the Richmond Strikers.
The arrangement will allow the Strikers to use SportsQuest’s 17-field synthetic turf tournament complex, currently under construction, for its major annual events, including its crown jewel, the prestigious Jefferson Cup. That tournament draws about 750 teams and 30,000 people to the Richmond area each year, most of them from out of state.
The two-weekend event is held at 13 sites around the area, including the Strikers’ 11-field park in Henrico County, and generates about $9 million annually in tourism dollars, according to economic-impact studies conducted for the Richmond Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau.
The partnership with SportsQuest will allow the Strikers to accept more teams and potentially expand the tournament to a three-weekend event. The Strikers also might enlarge its other major tournament, the Capital Fall Classic, a one-weekend event in November that draws about 350 teams.
The Strikers will work with SportsQuest to host additional tournaments at the campus, with the goal being five a year over eight weekends, which could bring as many as 100,000 people to the area. The two groups will share the revenue from the events.
“This is a true partnership. We’re putting all the money in a bucket and sharing,” said Burton, who noted that the Strikers’ recreation and travel leagues will remain independent of SportsQuest.
Work is scheduled to begin this fall on the west campus, which will include a 5,000-seat arena, a 2,500-seat ice multisports center, a velodrome for track bicycling, an aquatics center, and a fitness center.
In total, SportsQuest’s campus is expected to cost about $100 million.
Chesterfield Economic Development (CED) and Chesterfield County Public Library (CCPL) unveiled their new small business initiative, “My Business Starts Here”, at Meadowdale Library, 4301 Meadowdale Boulevard, on September 1st.
Local business operators will have an easier, more comfortable, more comprehensive way to get the information and support they need when starting or sustaining a small business in Chesterfield County. The departments were joined by county leaders, local entrepreneurs, and the community, who were the first to access Economic Development’s new web portal, MyBusinessStartsHere.com, in the library’s new Small Business Resource Center.
The web portal was designed to help potential entrepreneurs navigate the abundant resources available to help start and sustain a small business in Chesterfield County. Users are guided, step-by-step, through the process of starting a business; can zero in on industry specific requirements, can ask specific questions about doing business in Chesterfield County; or can identify potential sources of capital.
Chesterfield County Public Library’s Small Business Resource Center was designed with the small-business operator’s needs in mind. The center can be used as a second office, a meeting place, a staff-training facility, or a research lab. Desktops and laptops are available to the public, as are current books and magazines and a variety of small-business tools – all free of charge. Users can access the best of the web as chosen by professional librarians, in addition to receiving one-on-one assistance with their business research.
“While there are already a multitude of resources available for small businesses, getting the right help can be challenging” says Jim Holland, Board of Supervisor for the Dale District. “This new initiative eliminates the difficulty potential entrepreneurs experience in getting started and getting help, by providing a coordinated approach to fulfilling their needs.”
Individuals can access the new portal from home, or from any Chesterfield County Public Library location. For more information contact Karen Aylward at 804-318-8550 or Karen@chesterfieldbusiness.com.
With the launch of “My Business Starts Here”, Chesterfield Economic Development and the Chesterfield County Public Library have partnered to offer residents seamless service and resources for their small business needs.
While there are numerous resources available to entrepreneurs, getting the RIGHT help is a daunting task. One of the major obstacles to self-employment is the difficulty in gathering accurate and specific information to facilitate the process of starting a business. Potential entrepreneurs are immediately faced with not only the requirements of business operation, but also a myriad of local, state and federal forms, requirements, rules and regulations that can become overwhelming.
This new web portal, MyBusinessStartsHere.com, is designed to direct entrepreneurs to solutions to their business questions. Users will find a step-by-step guide to starting a business, information on sources of capital, how to get a business license in Chesterfield, additional requirements for certain business types and information on how to do business with government. Users can access the portal from their home computer or any library location, where they can also utilize a host of free tools, free expertise, and free technology.
Chesterfield Economic Development (CED), along with support from the Board of Supervisors and County Administration, is committed to working with our existing, small, and minority businesses to help make them a prosperous part of the business community. By partnering with agencies like the Small Business Administration (SBA) and Virginia Department of Business Assistance, County departments such as the Community Development division, Chesterfield County Public Libraries and with other resource partners, both start-up and existing small and minority businesses can be provided technical assistance and access to business resources at the local level. Chesterfield Economic Development is your “corporate concierge” for business assistance.
CED currently offers: workshops and seminars, access to capital, site selection assistance, county permit process guidance, and one-on-one business counseling.
Look for additional “My Business Starts Here” locations to come online as we expand our partnerships to make access to business resources convenient countywide so that in Chesterfield County business really does “Start Here”.
Lingerfelt Development Breaks Ground for the $25 million OrthoVirginia Building in the Boulders Office Park in Chesterfield County
Two quality regional healthcare organizations, West End Orthopaedic Clinic and HCA Virginia’s CJW Medical Center, along with Richmond-based developer Lingerfelt Development announce the groundbreaking for the OrthoVirginia Building, the region’s first-of-its-kind, $25 million, two-story, 70,000 sq. ft. medical facility specializing in orthopaedics and sports medicine treatment and rehabilitation. This new building will provide an estimated 180 construction jobs to Chesterfield County.
This initiative brings together highly skilled talents of leading orthopaedic specialists in sports, hand, knee and hip, spine, and pediatrics, as well as sports medicine and outpatient surgery in one technologically innovative building. The team of physicians and administrators recognized this opportunity to provide a regional resource for focused orthopaedic diagnostics, repair and rehabilitation that complements Central Virginia’s highest standards for specialty healthcare, with greater cost efficiency and a more convenient central location for the community and patients.
The project will complement existing West End Orthopaedic Clinic office locations on every major hospital campus in Richmond. The local talent of Lingerfelt Development has been selected to develop this regional, state-of-the-art, technologically advanced medical facility. Lingerfelt will seek LEED certification for this project’s green building design and operation. With ground broken this week, completion is scheduled for summer 2011.
“We’re very excited about this new state-of-the-art facility that offers the community and the region an extraordinary resource for orthopaedic specialties and rehabilitation services allowing patients to be conveniently treated in one location. Adding to our Network of Orthopaedic Specialists, this comprehensive, fully digital facility will offer minimally invasive surgery, electronic patient files, physician records and xrays,” stated West End Orthopaedic Clinic Administrator James Perkins.
“CJW Sports Medicine has been serving athletes in this community for more than 20 years and we are excited that we will be moving our team into this advanced facility,” said Tony Hayes, VP Business Development, CJW Medical Center. “We are also proud to be offering a sophisticated outpatient surgery center in this convenient location.” The development, placed at the entrance to the Boulders Corporate Park at the intersection of Chippenham Parkway and Jahnke Road in Chesterfield County, will continue to provide the community with specialized sports rehabilitation services under the direction of Dr. Douglas Cutter. Critical to selecting this location is accessibility and proximity to the major healthcare facility of Chippenham Hospital. The new facility will offer access via Chippenham Parkway, Powhite Parkway and Midlothian Turnpike, and is just eight minutes from downtown Richmond.
The teams looked for local development talent and selected Lingerfelt (LingerfeltCo.com) to construct the facility. Three generations of the Lingerfelt family have been developing in this area for over 50 years, encompassing over 10,000,000 s.f. of medical and professional office, industrial, retail, elderly housing, and multi-family developments in the eastern United States including Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Maryland and Illinois. Their history of fast-track development success enables them to deliver a development on time and on budget consistently, project after project.
“The economic development team at Chesterfield County was extremely helpful in moving this development forward and assists us in delivering a quality project on time,” stated Ryan Lingerfelt, Principal, Lingerfelt Development. “We are certainly pleased that West End Orthopaedic Clinic and HCA Virginia’s CJW Medical Center have chosen Chesterfield County for their new medical offices. Developed by Lingerfelt Development, this new 70,000 s.f. facility in the Boulders Office Park is a testament to the continued commitment from our medical community and to Chesterfield County as a ‘First Choice’ business location,” said Jay Stegmaier, County Adminstrator for Chesterfield County.
Lingerfelt has selected architectural firm Price Studios, construction firm Hourigan Construction and engineering firm Rummel, Klepper & Kahl as part of the team to work on this development project.
Company Will Manufacture State of the Art Components of Lithium Ion Batteries for Electric Vehicles
Governor Bob McDonnell today announced that DuPont will invest $20 million to establish a facility in Chesterfield County to make the first nanofiber-based polymeric separators for high-performance lithium ion batteries for electric vehicles and many other potential commercial uses.
The facility, an early commercial-scale plant to produce the new material for this growing market, will be located at a leased building in Chesterfield County and will begin operations in early 2011. Virginia successfully competed against a number of other locations for the project.
“DuPont is a science leader and a major employer in the Commonwealth. The company has been in Chesterfield County since 1929 and this exciting new battery technology facility will continue DuPont’s history of innovation in the Commonwealth of Virginia. We are committed to helping our existing employers expand their operations in the Commonwealth. This announcement is positive news for our economy, and for the competitiveness of Chesterfield County and the entire Commonwealth in the global marketplace,” said Governor McDonnell.
The facility will further refine and develop DuPont™ Energain™ separators, a nanofiber-based material that improves safety by allowing high-performance lithium-ion batteries to operate at higher temperatures and can increase power up to 30 percent.
“DuPont™ Energain™ separators will be key to battery manufacturers making huge advances in lithium-ion batteries,” said Thomas G. Powell, President, DuPont Protection Technologies. “DuPont enjoys a great, long-term partnership with Virginia and the technology development it enables enhances our presence here as a major employer.”
The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Chesterfield County to secure the project for Virginia. The company is eligible to receive state benefits from the Virginia Enterprise Zone Program, administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development.
“It gives Chesterfield County great pleasure to partner with our largest private employer on this exciting and innovative project. DuPont is one of our oldest businesses and we are delighted that they continue to choose Chesterfield County as the location to grow and prosper,” said Dan Gecker, Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors Chairman.
DuPont™ and Energain™ are trademarks of DuPont.
Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors passed an agenda item on Wednesday, May 26, 2010, to approve a lease with SportsQuest of 8 synthetic fields and a 40,000 square feet warm-up area at 288 and Powhite Parkway. This lease also includes the use of 2 gymnasiums, or 4 practice courts, and a senior center. SportsQuest will support recreational, youth development, and high performance programming in 30 different sports. To learn more about SportsQuest visit www.sportsquest.biz.
The 250-acre campus, when fully built out, will have a capital investment impact of $250 million and create up to 500 jobs. The project is estimated to produce direct tax revenue of $2 million and indirect tax revenue of $4-5 million per year to the county.
Shaw Sportexe will be responsible for installing a total of 1.7 million square feet of artificial turf on the campus. Shaw Sportexe is a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. and is one of the leading synthetic turf companies in North America. They have an impressive list of high-profile field installations such as the Baltimore Ravens, San Francisco 49ers, LSU and University of Arkansas to list a few. For more information, visit www.shawsportexe.com.
Construction on the114-acre East Campus is currently underway and the first 1 million square feet of turf will be installed and ready to play on for fall programs. Remaining areas will be completed by December 31st of this year. The West Campus will include the 5,000-seat arena, 2,500-seat ice-plex, velodrome, an aquatics center and fitness center. Corporate and retail will include a hotel and sports medicine center.
Cuts Ribbon at Company’s New State-of-the-Art Manufacturing Plant
Governor Bob McDonnell traveled to Chesterfield today for the official ribbon cutting ceremony opening Sabra Dipping Company’s new food manufacturing plant. The plant will make Sabra branded dips and spreads, including the country’s best-selling Sabra hummus and vegetable dips. The opening of the plant will create 260 new jobs. Sabra’s decision to move to Virginia was announced by former Governor Tim Kaine in November 2008.
Speaking about today’s ribbon cutting ceremony Governor McDonnell noted, “I want to thank my predecessor, Governor Tim Kaine, for his successful effort to bring this great international company to Virginia. Working with the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, the Kaine Administration was aggressive and proactive in convincing Sabra to choose the Commonwealth over two other states that were under consideration for this same project. The result is 260 new jobs in the Richmond/Tri-Cities area, and this Administration was pleased to be a part of the finalization of the venture over the last few months. I look forward to working with Sabra in the years ahead, and I welcome this great corporate partner to Virginia. As Governor I will be vigilant in ensuring that the Commonwealth remains a great, pro-business host for Sabra and all our job-creating employers. We will do that by keeping taxes low, regulations and litigation at a minimum and putting in place the policies our private sector employers need in order to grow and be successful. The number one priority of our Administration is job creation, and today is another positive step forward in this effort.”
Chesterfield County wishes to congratulate Sabra Dipping Company on the occasion of their grand opening and thanks them for their commitment to Chesterfield. As Sabra begins manufacturing at its state-of-the-art food processing plant in Chesterfield County, the company will begin to see benefits from locating within the county. Sabra will produce award-winning Sabra branded dips and spreads including the country’s best-selling Sabra hummus and vegetable dips.
The 110,000 square foot facility on 49 acres in the Ruffin Mill Industrial Park is located in the Walthall Enterprise Zone. The Enterprise Zone enables the company to take advantage of numerous local and State benefits such as; waved permitting fees, utility discounts, tax rebates, job creation grants and real property investment grants.
The plant was built using the county’s “Fast Track” Project Review process and enabled the company to get underway quickly to meet their projected time line. Constant contact with the company’s development team, and the site and building review teams in Chesterfield County, helped resolve issues quickly and efficiently keeping the company on tract to meet their scheduled opening.
To staff the facility, Sabra is taking advantage of Chesterfield’s large and diverse labor pool. The new plant is able to take advantage of a skilled labor pool of approximately 653,000+ people in the region to fill the 260 available positions.
These advantages, both tangible and intangible, helped Chesterfield County attract a high profile international company who is the top brand in the growing dips category. Sabra Dipping Company is jointly owned by Strauss Ltd and PepsiCo. The Sabra joint venture draws on both Strauss Group and Frito-Lay North America’s marketplace expertise to continue building this growing business. Frito-Lay is a business unit of PepsiCo. This will be the first new facility built since the formation of the Sabra Dipping Company joint venture.
In addition to Chesterfield Economic Development; Sabra was assisted in the site selection and development process by the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, Virginia Jobs Investment Program, the Virginia Gateway Region and the Greater Richmond Partnership.
Chesterfield County is pleased to welcome Sabra as an important part of our business community and pledges to continue to do everything possible to help the company grow and benefit from locating in Chesterfield.