Showing posts with label City of Richmond. Show all posts
Showing posts with label City of Richmond. Show all posts

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Governor McAuliffe Announces 75 New Jobs in the City of Richmond (Ignore the hundreds lost please)

McAuliffe speaking at Frying Pan Park in Hernd...
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)
~Leading Online Grocer Relay Foods to Invest $710,000, Increase Sales of Virginia-Sourced Agricultural Products by $3 Million Over Next Three Years~
RICHMOND – Governor Terry McAuliffe announced today that Relay Foods (www.relayfoods.com) will expand its Richmond fulfillment center to accommodate increased local demand for its products and to support the company’s entry into new markets, including those beyond Virginia.  The company, a leading online grocery store and farmers market, will invest more than $710,000, create 75 new jobs in the City, and increase its Mid-Atlantic sales of Virginia-sourced meats, produce, dairy products, and value-added foods by $3 million over the next three years.  The Commonwealth of Virginia is partnering with the City of Richmond and Relay Foods on this project through the Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund (AFID). 
Speaking at the company’s warehouse facility in Richmond about today’s announcement,Governor McAuliffe said, “I am thrilled to announce the second expansion of Relay Foods, a company founded by entrepreneurs with unique and exciting business models.  Relay Foods’ announcement today not only creates quality new job opportunities for residents of Richmond, it strengthens the ties this innovative company has to the Commonwealth.  With this announcement we continue to realize the benefits of fully integrating agriculture and forestry, the state’s largest industries into our strategic economic development platform, helping to build a new Virginia economy.”
Relay Foods seamlessly integrates more than 200 local farmers and artisan, organic, and conventional producers to deliver high quality, local and gourmet foods and groceries directly to customers.  The company offers a unique and powerful resource for small food producers in Virginia trying to access the market by providing ready access to consumers in the Washington, D.C., Richmond and Charlottesville metro areas.  This second expansion will allow the company to further meet the growing demands of its consumers.  In June, the Governor awarded a $50,000 AFID grant to the City of Charlottesville to assist Relay Foods in the expansion of its corporate headquarters and fulfillment center in Charlottesville.
"Relay Foods is not only increasing access to healthful foods, but also strengthening the Virginia agricultural economy,” said First Lady Dorothy McAuliffe.  “I truly believe that innovative companies like these are what it will take to bridge the nutritional divide in Virginia."
“I am pleased to see the continued success of the AFID program working with rural and urban localities, such as Richmond, and businesses such as Relay Foods, a company that is so focused on promoting Virginia’s fresh, locally-sourced agricultural products, to create jobs at its fulfillment center and new revenue streams for our growers,” said Todd Haymore, Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry. “This project will allow Relay Foods to enjoy an even wider reach to markets where the exposure of Virginia-grown products will increase and Virginia’s agricultural producers will continue to benefit from new sales opportunities.”
The company, in partnership with Virginia and Richmond, will invest in updates to its primary warehouse, as well as a new warehouse it plans to build in 2016.   The Richmond fulfillment center is the main location for the aggregation, storage, packaging and distribution of all local Virginia meat, cheese and dairy products.   These improvements will strengthen the company’s competitive position in the fast-growing online grocery market.
“I am extremely pleased that Relay Foods has chosen to not only remain in Richmond, but expand their company's operations here,” said Dwight C. Jones, Mayor of Richmond.  “Not only does Relay Foods provide fresh, locally-sourced foods to our residents, it is creating full-time, full-benefit jobs, increasing our tax base, and is proving, by its future plans of action to stay and grow in our city, that Richmond is an excellent choice for a company that relies on a central location and a strong transportation network.”
The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) worked with the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) and the City of Richmond to secure this expansion for Virginia.   Governor McAuliffe approved a $50,000 grant from the AFID Fund to assist the City of Richmond with the project.  Relay Foods is also committing to purchase at least $406,000 worth of meats, produce, dairy products and other foods from Virginia producers over the next three years.  Through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program, Relay Foods will receive additional funding and services to support its training and retraining activities.
"One key to Relay Foods' success across Virginia has been establishing a network of talented, dedicated local producers in every market we serve," said Arnie Katz, co-founder and President of Relay Foods.  "We look forward to investing this AFID grant in our ongoing efforts to build innovative approaches that connect local Richmond growers and food artisans with enthusiastic customers."
“With agriculture being Virginia’s largest industry, we need to do all we can to facilitate more growth opportunities in this increasingly important economic sector and that’s what we’re doing today, said Senator John Watkins, R-Midlothian.  “Relay Foods is a great example of the type of company my General Assembly colleagues and I envisioned supporting when we approved the creation of the Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund.  Providing economic development opportunities for the City of Richmond and the Commonwealth through their innovative business model and their agricultural producer supply chain is a testament to the success of this tool.”
Delegate Jennifer McClellan, D-Richmond, added, “Today’s announcement with Relay Foods is an exciting win for the City of Richmond and the Commonwealth.  In addition to the positive economic impacts this project will bring, this company is a shining example that the entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well and can thrive in our region.  It’s also good to see agriculture, which is traditionally viewed as a rural industry, making such a positive impact in a urban setting.”
According to a 2013 economic impact study conducted by the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service at the University of Virginia, agriculture and forestry are two of Virginia’s largest industries with a combined economic impact of $70 billion annually.  Agriculture generates more than $52 billion per annum, while forestry induces over $17 billion.  The industries also provide more than 400,000 jobs in the Commonwealth.  More information about the Weldon Cooper Center’s study can be found at http://www.dof.virginia.gov/print/econ/2013/weldon-cooper-Economic-Impact-Of-Ag-Forestry-2013.pdf.
About the Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund
The AFID Fund was created during the 2012 session of the General Assembly and is being embraced by the McAuliffe Administration as an important tool in growing the Commonwealth’s agriculture and forestry sector and helping to make Virginia the leading exporter of agricultural and forest products on the East Coast.  More information about the AFID grant, which has the flexibility to assist projects large and small throughout Virginia, can be found at http://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/agribusiness/afid.shtml.



Friday, April 25, 2014

City of Richmond and the Commonwealth of Virginia Request Federal Grant

turn_ins_02
turn_ins_02 (Photo credit: james4765)
RICHMOND – Today Governor Terry McAuliffe announced that the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT), the Greater Richmond Transit Company (GRTC), the City of Richmond and Henrico County are collaborating on a TIGER grant application for funding to construct the Broad Street Bus-Rapid Transit system. The 7.5 mile Broad Street BRT system would improve reliability and travel times for transit riders, and support economic development throughout the Broad Street Corridor. 
 “Improving and expanding Virginia’s transportation system in order to grow our economy is one of my highest priorities,” said Governor McAuliffe. “The Richmond BRT is exactly the type of project that we should be advancing to improve the lives of the Virginians we serve. It will be affordable, provide Richmond residents with more transportation choices and help link people with businesses and jobs across the region.” 

The Richmond BRT route would travel along Broad Street from Willow Lawn through the heart of the capital region, connecting VCU campuses, providing access to employment and businesses, making healthcare facilities accessible, and offering convenient transportation to tourist attractions within the region.  The project would provide a one-time local benefit of $41.5 million, while also creating 406 jobs for the area.  The annual economic benefit is anticipated to be $7 million. 

“Transportation is an essential part of daily life,” said Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones.  “Linking the regional economy together through a better transportation network is something we’ve been working toward for the employment and economic development needs of our city, and the Richmond BRT project is a critical and important step in that regard.”

The Richmond BRT project has been in development since 2009 and is expected to be ready for design in the near future.  The design phase of the project will cost $4 million, and is planned to be funded with a mix of state-controlled federal funding, state funding, and local funds coming from the City of Richmond.  The total cost of final design and construction will be $49.8 million.  GRTC, as the project sponsor, is working with DRPT, the City of Richmond and Henrico County to submit an application for funding through the TIGER Discretionary Grant program. 

The TIGER grant program is a highly competitive federal grant program investing in road, rail, transit and port projects across the nation that deliver five long-term outcomes: safety, economic competitiveness, state of good repair, livability and environmental sustainability.  There is $600 million in available funding for this year’s program, and the Richmond BRT project is seeking $24.9 million of this funding, which is 50% of the cost of the project.  The remaining construction costs would be split among DRPT, the City of Richmond and Henrico County. 

The Commonwealth should know by the fall whether the Richmond BRT project will be awarded any TIGER Grant funding, and all parties involved remain positive that the project will continue to be competitive and will obtain funding to see it through to fruition.  A round of public meetings is scheduled for May 20th and 21st in Richmond to provide the public an opportunity to comment.  Additional information regarding the BRT project can be found at www.study.ridegrtc.com
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Saturday, December 14, 2013

Governor Bob McDonnell Proposes $11 Million for Richmond Slavery and Freedom Heritage Site

English: The state seal of Virginia. Српски / ...
English: The state seal of Virginia. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Tourism Industry Supports 210,000 Jobs in Commonwealth; 2012 Was Record Tourism Year in State with $21.2 Billion Generated
Virginia Tourism Funding Provides 5:1 Return on Investment

RICHMOND - Governor Bob McDonnell has directed $11 million in his forthcoming biennial budget to the City of Richmond for the development, creation, and enhancement of the Slavery and Freedom Heritage Site in Richmond.  The proposed funding continues the governor’s commitment to strengthening Virginia’s tourism industry, which is a major revenue and job-driver in the Commonwealth. Over the past three years of the McDonnell administration, tourism funding, which has a proven 5:1 return on investment, has increased by over $5 million per year. In 2012, visitors to Virginia generated $21.2 billion in revenue from tourism in 2012, a four percent increase over 2011 and a new record high for the Commonwealth. The tourism industry in Virginia supported 210,000 jobs in 2012, an increase of one percent in employment, and provided more than $1.36 billion in state and local taxes. During the McDonnell administration, tourism revenues have continued to increase each year, with a total revenue increase of 12.3 percent since 2010.

Speaking about his budget proposal, Governor McDonnell remarked, “The institution of slavery on American soil was an abomination and affront to the dignity of every man and woman, all of whom are created in the image and likeness of God. Creating this heritage site in our capital city, where the horrific slave trade flourished, will serve as a critical historical reminder that we must be ever vigilant for the cause of justice and freedom. My recent tours of the Slave Trail and heritage site moved me to act now as we solemnly commemorate the sesquicentennial of the Civil War.”

The governor continued, “Tourism means jobs in Virginia. Over the past four years we have invested in Virginia’s tourism industry, and that investment has paid off at a rate of 5:1. Last year tourism generated $21.2 billion in revenue in our state, and employed 210,000 people. This should come as no surprise. Virginia has a compelling and moving story to tell. Our Commonwealth is where America began, was ripped apart, came back together, and was begun anew. The story of America was written right here in Virginia. Now, we have the duty and the opportunity to tell that story to the world. In the process, we both enlighten visitors from across the globe while creating thousands of good-paying jobs for our fellow Virginians right here at home. That’s what the creation of the Richmond Slavery and Freedom Heritage Site will do. It will bring thousands of visitors to our state’s capital, continue to tell the story of Virginia and America, as imperfect and tough as it is, and spur economic development and job creation. This is a targeted, smart investment of state dollars. It is good for education and history; it is good for our economy; it is even better for our country. I look forward to witnessing the construction and opening of this important historical landmark in the years ahead, and I want to thank Mayor Dwight Jones, Delegate Delores McQuinn, Governor Doug Wilder and others who all provided valuable input on the need for this important project.”

“This investment is so important because we’ve never fully or properly told the story of what happened in Richmond,” said Mayor Dwight C. Jones of Richmond. “The trade in enslaved human beings formed the economic backbone of this Commonwealth for centuries. As Richmonders and as Americans, we need to tell the full story of our country’s experience from enslavement to emancipation. Governor McDonnell’s budget proposal will help make it possible to tell this story in a bold way, and it will bring more people to Richmond to learn about the experiences of the men, women, and children who built this Commonwealth while living in bondage.”

Delegate Delores L. McQuinn (D-Richmond) noted, “I am elated that Gov. McDonnell is including 11 million dollars in his biennial budget to help advance the development of the Slave Trail to make Richmond an international destination. The monies will be used to educate citizens about the atrocities of slavery in America and the triumph of those enslaved persons after emancipation. For over a decade The Richmond Slave Trail Commission has worked tirelessly to tell this story of tragedy to triumph. Governor McDonnell’s visionary leadership will create an inheritance for generations to come as they learn about the African-American experiences, contributions and legacy to the United States and world history.”

Specifically, the governor’s budget amendments disburse the $11 million as follows:

·         $5 million for the planning, design and construction of the Pavilion at Lumpkin's Jail
·         $1 million for improvements to the Richmond Slave Trail
·         $5 million for the planning, design and construction of a slavery museum

The City of Richmond is required to provide local matching funds totaling at least $5,000,000 for the same purposes prior to receiving state funds.  In addition to the local matching funds, the City of Richmond shall provide and dedicate appropriate contiguous real estate prior to the receipt of any state funding for the purposes listed above. 
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