Gloucester VA Links and News: Shanghai

Showing posts with label Shanghai. Show all posts

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Governor McAuliffe Announces November as Virginia Oyster Month

~ Virginia is the Leading East Coast Seafood Producer, Third Largest in the Nation ~

RICHMOND - Governor Terry McAuliffe announced that November is Virginia Oyster Month. Visitors and Virginians alike are encouraged to experience the fresh wild-caught and farm-raised oysters from Virginia's seven different oyster regions throughout the month of November, as well as participate in the numerous oyster festivals and events around the Commonwealth.

Virginia oysters have diverse flavors from the saltiest in the waters of Chincoteague on Virginia’s Eastern Shore to the sweet taste of Rappahannock River oysters and the rebirth of Lynnhaven oysters in Virginia Beach. This diversity gives visitors a lot to love about oyster travel in Virginia.

"Virginia oysters are the best in the world, and they play an increasingly important role in growing our economy and keeping the Chesapeake Bay clean,” said Governor McAuliffe. “My team and I are working hard to make Virginia the Oyster Capital of the East Coast, and I hope Virginians will join us by enjoying local, fresh and delicious Virginia oysters during the month of November.”

Virginia's oyster harvest increased by 25% from 2012 to 2013, with more than 500,000 bushels - the most in nearly a generation. Over the past 12 years, the oyster harvest in Virginia has increased from approximately 23,000 bushels in 2001 to last year's level of just over 500,000 - the highest level since 1987. The dockside value alone of the oyster harvest is 2013 was more than $22 million, up from approximately $16 million in 2012.

"Tourism is an instant revenue generator for Virginia, and the continued growth of the oyster industry, combined with private sector investment, positively impacts the tourism industry in the Chesapeake Bay region and the Commonwealth," said Maurice Jones, Secretary of Commerce and Trade. "In 2013, visitors spent $21.5 billion, supporting 213,000 jobs and contributing $1.4 billion in state and local taxes. Marketing Virginia as an oyster destination will help us attract more of those visitors and continue to help our economy grow.”

"The oyster industry plays a significant role in Virginia’s recognized position of being the nation's third largest producer of marine products and, the leading seafood producer on the East Coast,"said Todd Haymore, Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry. "In addition to the domestic impact of our marine products sector on the tourism and agricultural industries, we're proud of the successes we’ve had in promoting Virginia oysters on international trade missions, where we've generated new export sales to China, Hong Kong and Canada. These deals and others we hope to help achieve will help generate business and attention for Virginia’s thriving oyster industry."

In August 2014, Governor McAuliffe announced the development of the Virginia Oyster Trail, a major tourism development project connecting travelers to Virginia oyster purveyors, raw bars and restaurants, and the watermen culture throughout Coastal Virginia, the Northern Neck, Middle Peninsula and the Eastern Shore. As a result of these exciting developments with the Virginia oyster, Governor McAuliffe officially declared November as Virginia Oyster Month and named Virginia the "Oyster Capital of the East Coast."

“By pairing Virginia oysters with other Virginia products including wine, craft beer, cider and spirits, travelers can experience the state with taste,” said Rita McClenny, President and CEO of Virginia Tourism Corporation. "Oysters only add to the impressive list of things Virginia has to offer."

For a list of Oyster Month festivals and events around the state, go to http://www.virginia.org/OysterFestivals/

For more about Virginia oysters, go to http://virginia.org/oysters

Watch video on Virginia Oyster Month here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lENusPnc8A

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Governor McAuliffe Announces 75 New Jobs in Botetourt County

Botetourt County, Virginia, from 1895 state map (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

~ Dynax America Corporation to invest $32.6 million to expand operation ~

TOKYO, JAPAN - Governor Terry McAuliffe announced today that Dynax America Corporation, a subsidiary of Dynax Corporation of Hokkaido, Japan, will invest $32.625 million to expand its automotive components manufacturing operation in Botetourt County. The Governor made the announcement following a meeting yesterday with Dynax Corporation officials in Tokyo during his Asia Marketing Mission. Virginia successfully competed against Shanghai, China for the project, which will create 75 new jobs.

Speaking about today’s announcement, Governor McAuliffe said, “Dynax America Corporation has been a valuable corporate partner to Virginia since 1995, and employs nearly 600 at its plant in Botetourt County. Yesterday I had the opportunity to meet with the parent company in Tokyo to officially close this important deal. The addition of 75 new advanced manufacturing jobs is another step forward in creating a New Virginia Economy with a diverse industry base and valuable workers possessing skills of the 21^st century. The focus of my 10-day marketing mission to Asia is to build new relationships and strengthen existing partnerships, and this tremendous expansion announcement is a great result. Dynax America’s significant investment demonstrates the company’s strong commitment to the Commonwealth, and secures its future longevity in Botetourt for years to come.”

“Dynax America Corporation’s continued growth and investment in Botetourt County is a powerful testament to Virginia’s excellent business environment,” said Maurice Jones, Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade. “The company is a strong component of the growing automotive cluster in the Roanoke region, and this expansion further solidifies its standing. Virginia’s strong business relationship with Dynax America and Dynax Corporation is a priority, and it was an honor to be a part of yesterday’s meeting and expansion announcement in Tokyo.”

Dynax America Corporation is a manufacturer of automatic transmission components, friction disks, mating plates and assemblies. Located in Botetourt County, Virginia, the company’s employees are dedicated to achieving its corporate goals – providing high-quality products at competitive pricing while seeking to continually improve quality and processes.

“Dynax America Corporation has been a vested part of the Commonwealth of Virginia and Botetourt County since 1995,” said Tatsuo Kuroda, President of Dynax America Corporation. “We have enjoyed great success with the many positive benefits provided to us, and it is our desire to continue that positive momentum. Our greatest asset has been, and continues to be, our employees, as well as the favorable business climate that exists in Virginia. It is our desire to continue the tradition of stability and cooperation and to be a preferred place of employment in the region for many years in the future. We would like to thank our partners who have made this expansion possible.”

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Botetourt County and the Roanoke Regional Partnership to secure the project for Virginia. Governor McAuliffe approved a $225,000 grant from the Governor’s Opportunity Fund to assist Botetourt County with the project. The Governor also approved a $250,000 performance-based grant from the Virginia Investment Partnership program, an incentive available to existing Virginia companies. The company will receive benefits from the Port of Virginia Economic and Infrastructure Development Grant Program. Funding and services to support the company’s employee training activities will be provided through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program. The company will also be eligible for Sales and Use tax exemptions on manufacturing equipment.

“The Board members and I are proud and appreciative that Dynax America Corporation has again chosen Botetourt County for an expansion of its operations,” said Dr. Donald Scothorn, Chairman of the Botetourt County Board of Supervisors. “Since first locating in Botetourt County in 1996, Dynax has continued to grow and expand, becoming the County’s largest private sector employer. This new investment will foster innovative economic growth and create additional job opportunities for the residents of Botetourt County.”

“Automotive parts are a top commodity for The Port of Virginia, and we appreciate the opportunity to continue to act as Dynax America’s partner and international trade gateway,” said John F. Reinhart, CEO and executive director of the Virginia Port Authority. “What is significant is the addition of 75 jobs in the Roanoke Valley that come as a result of this expansion. This is a vote of confidence in Virginia and the port as a business location.”

(Expanding Monopolies And Taking The Freedoms Away From Small Businesses)