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Virginia Works – Downlink to Your Site

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.

Secretary of Commerce and Trade Barry DuVal has confirmed his participation in the conference. He will make remarks and update attendees on the status of Governor Gilmore’s Virginia Strategy. In addition, panel discussions and updates of regional workforce initiatives will be presented.

The Virginia Work Conference Committee along with the State Workforce Council are very pleased to announce that Governor Jim Gilmore has designated the week of the Virginia Works Conference, October 25-29, 1999 as Workforce Development Week. As a result of this prestigious designation, many special activities will be planned to celebrate the importance of workforce development and increase the awareness of the many employment opportunities and training programs available in Chesterfield and the region.

One of the long-term goals of the Conference is to increase the participation of parents and students and enlighten them on the jobs of the future. Most students are influenced by the parents in selecting careers and higher education. As a result, it is increasingly important for the community and businesses to get involved in workforce development and partner with the school system to make area residents aware of productive and well-paying career paths and the educational resources that are available to them.

Businesses and industries interested in becoming a downlink site for the conference, and anyone seeking more information about Virginia Works should contact Ron Laux or Becky Fain in the JTCC BIGS Center at (804) 796-4041.

VCCS Names New VC for Workforce

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.

In his new position, Dr. Sygielski will have executive responsibility for system-level development and coordination of workforce training services, and will identify needs and develop a marketing plan for programs and services.

“I am passionate about workforce development issues and embrace this exciting and challenging opportunity to work with others from business, education and government committed to unifying and creating the resources and energies necessary to make the Commonwealth the nation’s premier workforce development state, “said Dr. Sygielski. “The VCCS, with its natural network of community colleges throughout Virginia, offers incredible potential for enhancing its position as a central provider of quality services that will boost economic development both in the individual regions and the Commonwealth as a whole.”

Dr. Sygielski will be formally introduced to the Chesterfield business community at the 1999 Virginia Works Conference which will be held on October 29 at the campuses of John Tyler and J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College.

White Tire Distributors

White Tire Distributors, Inc. has purchased 6.5 acres on Willis
Road for construction of a 47,200 square foot distribution and
service center. The company, in business for 27 years, is headquartered in Roanoke, VA and specializes in the sale and
service of truck tires to the trucking and transportation industry.
The new Chesterfield facility will also offer routine maintenance services such as brake repairs, alignments, and safety inspections
to commercial trucking customers.

White Tire Distributors’ other locations include Kingsport, TN, Easley, SC, Charleston, WV, and Harrisonburg, VA. With a well-established customer base that includes United Parcel Service,
Ryder Transportation Services, Waste Management, and Tyson Foods, White Tire is now the 14th largest commercial tire dealer
in North America.

The company’s new facility in Chesterfield County should be completed by December and will initially employee 35 people.

Director of Economic Development Named

James G. Dunn has been selected as the new Director of the Department of Economic Development for Chesterfield County, Virginia in July, 1999, and has been with the department since 1989.

Mr. Dunn grew up in Rochester, New York and after serving four years in the Air Force, graduated from Lemoyne College with a B. S. degree in Industrial Relations and a MBA degree from Syracuse University. He also completed post graduate course work in Sales Management and Marketing Strategy at the University of Virginia Colgate-Darden Graduate School of Business.

Prior to being employed with Chesterfield County, Mr. Dunn spent eight years as Vice-President of Sales and Marketing for Weidmuller, Inc., a German manufacturer of electrical and electronic connection devices at their USA headquarters in Richmond, VA, and sixteen years were spent with General Electric in various positions and locations.

Mr. Dunn was the co-founder and Director of Golden Handshakes, a Richmond area support group for the unemployed. He is also past President of the Board of Trustees for Millwood School, a kindergarten through eighth grade independent school located in Chesterfield County.

Small Business of the Year Awarded to High-Tech Machine MFG., Inc.

The Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors has awarded the 1999 Small Business Appreciation Award to High-Tech Machine MFG., Inc. The award, based on the approved Business Appreciation Award criteria, acknowledges High-Tech’s dedication and commitment to our community over the past year.

High-Tech Machine MFG., Inc. is owned and operated by Robert Cacciotti. The company generated $1 million in sales last year and now employs approximately 14 people. The company plans to expand its current facility up to 12,000 square feet. High-Tech is located on Trade Road (off Midlothian Turnpike) in Chesterfield county.

Congratulations goes to Mr. Cacciotti and all his employees!

Filtrona Richmond, Inc. to Move into Enterprise Zone

Filtrona Richmond Inc., a manufacturer of cigarette filters and bonded fiber products, will build a 180,000-square-foot plant in the Ashton Creek Business Center, off the Walthall interchange of Interstate 95. 230 employees will be affected by the move. The investment will amount to more than $10 million, construction is expected to start midsummer.

The facility will house Filtrona’s administrative and research and development divisions, as well as its specialty fiber division, which supplies bonded fiber components to the writing, medical and printing industries. Those functions are now based in a 165,000-square-foot plant along Jefferson Davis Highway near Willis Road in Chesterfield. Filtrona has been at that location for 35 years.

The bigger, more modern building provides room to expand if needed,and will allow the company to take advantage of certain local and state tax breaks as a newcomer to the Walthall Enterprise Zone, which covers about six square miles along I-95 and Jefferson Davis Highway in southeastern Chesterfield.

Small Business Conference Slated for June

Virginia Cooperative Extension and Chesterfield County Economic Development are, once again, jointly sponsoring an annual conference for those interested in starting a small buinsess.

The one-day seminar will be held on Friday, June 4, 1999 from 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the Cooperative Extension Building on the campus of Virginia State University.

The conference will offer an array of speakers, including Dr. Ann Lastovica, Extension Specialist and State Micro-Business Coordinator at Virginia State University, along with accounting and legal experts. Topics to be covered include: current trends for micro businesses, assessment of personal and business management skills, developing a business plan, searching for capital, record keeping and taxes, legal issues, pricing for profit, and helpful hints from a panel of successful entrepreneurs.

The conference registration fee of $20 covers the cost of educational materials, continental breakfast, lunch, and refreshment breaks. Pre-registration is required and can be done by calling the Chesterfield Extension Office at 751-4401. General information on the seminar is also available from Chesterfield County Economic Development at 748-3963.

Economic Development Welcomes New Employee

Chesterfield County Department of Economic Development recently hired Tina Shreve as the Administrative Assistant for the department. Tina graduated from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania with a B.S. degree in Business Administration, and a minor in Economics. She was most recently employed by a property management company.

Capital One Partners with JTCC and Chesterfield Schools

Capital One, one of the region’s newest and largest employers, celebrated the grand opening of their Call Center Simulator Computer Lab on April 15, 1999 in the lab’s new location in the Chesterfield Technical Center.

Capital One, John Tyler Community College (JTCC) and Chesterfield County Public Schools have formed an alliance to implement an innovative employment training program: The Call Center Training Alliance. This program will offer call center training and preparation for adults through JTCC and for Chesterfield County high school students enrolled in career development advanced marketing courses.

County high school students enrolled in career development Advanced Marketing courses will participate in a training program that introduces them to call center procedures and processes. Adult students will attend evening classes at JTCC while the high school students will attend the Chesterfield Technical Center. Both JTCC and the high school students will culminate their training at the Chesterfield Technical Center in the call center computer lab sponsored by Capital One.

Dr. Bill Bosher, Superintendent of Chesterfield Public Schools, Dr. Marshall Smith, President of JTCC, and representatives from Capital One made remarks at the grand opening ceremony and spoke about the positive impact that this training alliance will have on Chesterfield County and the region.
For more information about this innovative program, contact JTCC BIGS Center at (804) 796-4041 or Chesterfield County Public Schools at (804) 768-6165.

McLaren Leaves Chesterfield

It is with mixed emotions that we announce the resignation of Gary R. McLaren, Director of Economic Development, who has left Chesterfield County to serve the Commonwealth of Virginia as Director of Business Development of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP).

Gary was hired as Director of Economic Development in 1988. Prior to that, he was the Director of the City of Chesapeake Dept. of Economic Development.

During his 11 years of service, he developed a strong and nationally-recognized program that is regarded by both peers and consultants as one of the top economic development organizations in the country. Gary’s leadership provided for the creation of more than 9,000 new jobs and investments of nearly $1 billion in new revenue which has resulted in Chesterfield consistently ranking in the Top 10 communities in the state in new jobs and investment.

Gary and the office of Economic Development, recognizing the importance of existing industry to the county’s economic prosperity, initiated a very successful Existing Industry Program. This innovative program was recently awarded the NACO Achievement Award.

As Director of Economic Development, he worked closely with developers, land owners and other county departments and was instrumental in initiating infrastructure improvements and rezoning of properties to better position Chesterfield of significant future development.

We wish Gary success with his new position, but will greatly miss his vision and leadership here in Chesterfield County.

VEDP Recruiting Companies for IMP Program

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) is currently recruiting businesses to participate in the highly-successful International Market Planning (IMP) Program.

In the IMP Program, teams of top graduate business students from one of 12 colleges and universities in the Commonwealth are paired with a Virginia business to develop a comprehensive export marketing plan to assist the company in examining a new foreign market or expanding their existing markets. The students are supervised by an experienced professor. At the end of the semester, the students teams present an executive summary along with a written proposal in an oral presentation to the company’s top management.
Everyone is a winner in the IMP Program. Virginia businesses can develop new markets and increase sales. Local communities, like Chesterfield, can benefit from expanding job opportunities, and the graduate students gain valuable business experience in the real world, that can’t be duplicated in the classroom.

Since the establishment of the IMP Program in 1988, more than 300 businesses, ranging from small entrepreneurs to Fortune 500 firms, have benefited from the comprehensive, tailor-made export marketing plans.

Diversitec, Inc., in Midlothian, along with their IMP team from VCU, recently received the Governor’s Award for Excellence for their IMP project. The VCU team developed technical specifications and requirements needed in the telecom transmission and switching equipment industry. The project identified Brazil, Mexico and Costa Rica as key markets for Diversitec’s initial exporting efforts.

For more information about this program, contact Jay Hershey, IMP Coordinator at VEDP, at (804) 371-8915 or fax (804) 371-8860.

Chesterfield Celebrates Our Existing Industry

The fifth annual Business Appreciation week will be celebrated May 16-22, 1999 and has the theme, “Thanks to You, Virginia Works.”

Chesterfield County joins Governor Jim Gilmore and the Virginia Dept. of Business Assistance in acknowledging the contributions of Virginia business in its celebration of Business Appreciation Week, May 16-22, 1999. The theme of this fifth annual event is “Thanks to You, Virginia Works.”

This is a time when we gratefully acknowledge the benefits brought to the people of Virginia by the businesses that operate in our communities. While much attention is given to new business attraction, it is just as important to recognize the contributions made every day by existing industry. It is these businesses that make Chesterfield and Virginia a better place to live.

More Y2K Information

The Virginia Department of Business Assistances’ Existing Industry Development division has developed a publication which features federal, state and private sector contacts and resouces for understanding and tackling the year 2000.

The guide includes contact information for hardware and software manufacturers, consultants, and books, as well as contact information for the Small Business Development Centers. If you would like a copy, please write DBA’s Existing Industry Development division at P. O. Box 446, Richmond, VA 23218-0446. Or you can call (804) 371-8225, or contact your local SBDC office.

Electronic copies can be requested by emailing: jwitherspoon@dba.state.va.us or by visiting for FAQ page on DBA’s web site at www.dba.state.va.us.

Tarmac

Congratulations to Tarmac on their recent expansion in Chesterfield County. Tarmac held an official Grand Opening for their new, $7.2 million, state-of-the-art concrete products plant which was constructed adjacent to their aggregate distribution depot on their site on Willis Road.

The new plant is 50,000 square feet and features an automated computer-controlled concrete block production system with a low-pressure kiln curing process that ensures consistency and quality. The facility will employ up to 25 people and will have the capacity to produce more than 10 million units of high quality concrete block annually.

VDBA Moves

The Virginia Department of Business Assistance has relocted to 707 East Main Street, Suite 300, Richmond, VA 23219. Their telephone number is (804) 371-8200. The mailing address is P. O. Box 446, Richmond, VA 23218-0446

Status of Key Planned Road Improvements

I-895 Project: Bridge and road from I-95 at Falling Creek/Chippenham Parkway (Route 150) to I-295 near Richmond International Airport. Now under construction.

I-95/Walthall Interchange Project: Construction is progressing with completion scheduled by Winter of 1999.

Route 288 North Project: The four lane portion from the Powhite Parkway north to Route 60 is now under construction and scheduled to be completed by 2002. Construction of the two lane segment, from Route 60 to Patterson Ave. (Route 6) at West Creek in Goochland County, is scheduled to begin in 2001.

Chippenham Parkway (Route 150) Widening Project: Widening to six lanes from the Powhite Parkway to Route 1/301 is underway.

More information on all of these projects is available at the VDOT web site.

Ground Broken for Next Section of State Route 288

On March 4, 1999, State and local officials broke ground for constructing the next leg of state Route 288, which will become another major business and commercial corridor for the Richmond area. This portion will extend from the Powhite Parkway (SR 76) to Charter Colony Parkway. The section should be complete in 2001.

The Chesterfield County CIT Program

The Chesterfield County Department of Career Development has created a new course program for computer integrated technology (CIT) which will prepare graduates from the program to enter institutions of higher education to major in the growing fields of information technology, engineering and automated production systems.

Juniors and seniors are eligible to enroll in the program. Students who successfully complete all or part of the course sequence will be on the fast track to engineering or technician positions in these profitable and emerging vocations.

Most of these courses carry optional honor credit, and all of them carry dual credit, allowing successful students to transfer their credit to college.

The CIT Program is divided into three components: Computer Integrated Technology; Electronics; and AutoCAD. Lloyd C. Bird High School will house the CIT Program, and transportation will be provided to the school during the student’s junior and senior year.

Major employers in Central Virginia are seeking qualified candidates with associate and bachelor’s degrees in these fields. Being a part of this program will prepare Chesterfield County graduates to become a successful and profitable component of their team.

For more information about this program, contact your school’s guidance department or the Department of Career Development at (804) 768-6165.

Columbia Gas Receives Medium Business Appreciation Award

In 1994, the Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors initiated the Business Appreciation Award, and presents four awards annually, one each to Large, Medium and Small Business, as well as a Developer of the Year Award.

This year, the Board proudly recognized Columbia Gas of Virginia as the recipient of the Medium Business Appreciation Award and presented them with a resolution and plaque at the February 24th Board of Supervisors Meeting. Mr. Anthony Trubisz, President and CEO, and Ms. Elizabeth Moran, Manager of Economic Development, were present to accept the award and resolution.

In order to be eligible for this prestigious award, the company must: be responsive to Community needs; have made a significant contribution to the economic vitality of Chesterfield County; demonstrate a commitment to high standards of integrity for employees, customer and the community; and be located in Chesterfield County.

Columbia Gas has been an excellent corporate citizen and a team leader in economic development, not only in Chesterfield, but throughout the region. They have been cosponsors of Virginia Works and Chesterfield’s Business Appreciation Week. In addition, Columbia has representatives on the Chesterfield Education Foundation, the Chesterfield Business Council, the John Tyler Community College PEER Consortium and United Way.

The company, through its Education 2000 program, has established a partnership with Reams Road Elementary School where their employees volunteer an hour each week to tutor students in reading, math and science. A “lunch buddies” program has also been established where volunteers are paired with students and have lunch once a week throughout the school year.

This year, Columbia Gas donated surplus office furniture, following a redesign of their office space at the Arboretum, to the Chesterfield Police Department for the substations in Cloverleaf Mall and Meadowbrook Shopping Center. The balance of the virtually new furniture was sent to the Richmond Emergency Shelter for their use in the office and in transitional housing.

Congratulations to Columbia Gas of Virginia as the 1999 recipient of the Medium Business Appreciation Award. Thank you for all you do for Chesterfield County.

Richmond Angel Investor Network (RAIN)

The Richmond Angel Investor Network (RAIN) will enhance the availability of private capital to emerging companies by matching private investors and entrepreneurs seeking financing. The organization is developing a database of companies seeking investment and a parallel database of individuals and organizations interested in making investments in emerging companies. Investors will be assured that each company has in place a complete business plan and the professional relationships necessary to close a deal.

Entrepreneurs seeking investment capital are encouraged to submit information on theirproposed venture and the investment capital needed. Applicants will pay a small registration fee.


For more information contact RAIN at (804) 643-7246 or e-mail: rain@i2020.net

John Tyler Announcements

Please mark Friday, October 29, 1999 on your calendar for the next Virginia Works Conference, which will be held in the Nicholas Center on the John Tyler Community College campus.

The format will be changed to accommodate the busy work schedules of local businesses. The Virginia Works Conference will now be a half day conference, with a full breakfast served at 7:30 a.m. followed by the presentations at 8:30 a.m. The conference should conclude at noon. Conference registration brochures will be sent out in the late summer. The agenda and keynote speakers will be posted in INSITES as they are confirmed.

The new Business, Industry and Government Services (BIGS) brochures will be updated and available in mid-March. Many new programs are being offered. Call the BIGS Center at (804) 796-4041 for more information, or to receive the updated brochure.

Please welcome Ms. Becky Fain to the BIGS Center staff. She was recently hired as the new coordinator for the John Tyler BIGS Center. She will be working with business and industry to assist with the increase in demand in workforce development. Becky comes to John Tyler from the Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services were she accumulated extensive experience in working with business and industry workforce needs. Welcome Becky, and good luck with your new responsibilities at the John Tyler BIGS Center. Ron Laux will stay with the BIGS Center and John Tyler in an expanded capacity.

Capital One

Capital One Financial Corporation will expand its River’s Bend operation by 45,000 square feet and add 350 associates. The River’s Bend facility will now total 123,000 square feet and employment will reach 950.

Capital One opened its River’s Bend call center operation in Chesterfield in 1998 leasing 78,000 square feet and began hiring 600 people. This new expansion will help Capital One accommodate their rapid Growth trajectory which includes adding 20,000 new customers a day.

Recently, the company was ranked #41 by FORTUNE magaine (January 11, 1999 issue) in its listing of the “100 Best Companies to Work for in America.” Capital One is the only Virginia based company on the list.

Capital One was attracted to southeastern Chesterfield County by the size of the skilled labor pool, by opportunities the River’s Bend Center site offers for expansion, and the the convenient access to I-95.

Capital One officials have been extremely pleased with the quality of new employee applicants. The company has contributed $100,000 to fund Capital One Child Care and Youth Training at the Chester Family YMCA and $130,000 towards a partnership with John Tyler Community College and Chesterfield Public Schools to provide a work skills training program for high school and community college students.

GREAT News!

The Greater Richmond Employment Assistance Team (GREAT), a public-private partnership with the Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce, has applicants ready to hire. As part of the Welfare to Work initiative, GREAT is coordinating a multi-tiered process that provides assessment and evaluation of candidates, prepares candidats for a successful work experience, and provides transportation and day care assistance for qualified employment candidates. Hiring of these candidates qualifies a company for tax breaks. For more information contact the GREAT job line at (804)222-0400.

Y2K Compliancy

Would you like to determine if your computer is Y2K compliant? The small Business Administration offers a “Y2K Self-Assessment and Checklists for Small Business” at: http://www.sba.gov/y2k/indexcheck.html