Governor McAuliffe Announces First Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund Planning Grants of Administration

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

~ Awards Support Strategic Expansion Effort in Essex, Further Growth Opportunity in Loudoun for Virginia’s Burgeoning Wine Industry ~

RICHMOND - Governor Terry McAuliffe announced today the awarding of two planning grants from the Governor’s Agriculture & Forestry Industries Development Fund (AFID).  The two projects, one in Essex County and the other a partnership effort between the Town of Purcellville and Loudoun County, have been awarded a total of $34,500 to support the growth of agricultural and forestry projects in the Commonwealth. The AFID planning grant program encourages local governments to promote agriculture and forestry and incorporate the needs of these important industries into their economic development planning efforts.

Speaking about the planning grants being awarded to the localities, Governor McAuliffe said, “Job creation and expanded economic development are the chief priorities of my administration, and I plan to ensure that agriculture and forestry are a major part of our efforts to grow and diversify our economy” said Governor McAuliffe. “Supporting local efforts to strengthen these critical industries is an important component of my economic development strategy, and I applaud leadership in Essex County, Loudoun County, and the Town of Purcellville for exploring how their agricultural assets can be better utilized and grown for future job creation opportunities.”

The AFID planning grants program, funded annually at $250,000, was developed in 2012 to encourage local and regional governments to think strategically about how they can better support and integrate agriculture and forestry-based industries into their community’s overall economic development efforts.  The planning grants are part of the larger Governor’s AFID program, an economic development tool specifically for agriculture and forestry value-added or processing projects.  AFID economic development grants are available for political subdivisions of the Commonwealth interested in growing their agriculture and forestry industries by strategically targeting for assistance those businesses that add value to Virginia grown agriculture and forestal products.   

                        

“The two projects are prime examples of what we hoped the AFID would do for localities interested in building on their agricultural and forestry economic assets,” said Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Todd P. Haymore. “Essex County will utilize its grant funding to better incorporate agriculture and forestry into their strategic economic development growth plans, a primary goal of the AFID program.  AFID funds will be used by the Town of Purcellville, working in partnership with Loudoun County, to explore the creation of a possible viticulture and enology center, an excellent example of seeking new initiatives that can have lasting, positive impacts on a region’s agriculture and forestry sectors.”

Applications for AFID planning grants are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the fiscal year.  Successful funding requests must show a clear need to be addressed, a solution to be undertaken, demonstrate strong support from local government and the agriculture and forestry community, and be able to match each dollar requested with a dollar of local government funds, or allowable in-kind contributions. Localities interested in applying may visit http://vdacs.virginia.gov/agribusiness/planning.shtml or contact Stephen Versen atstephen.versen@vdacs.virginia.gov or 804.786.6911 for more information.

Details on the two grant awards are below:

1.      Project Title:  Loudoun County Viticulture and Enology Education Center

Applicant:      Town of Purcellville

Award:           $17,500

Summary:      The Town of Purcellville, with the support of Loudoun County, and in conjunction with Northern Virginia Community College (NVCC), will conduct a feasibility study for the development of a viticultural and enology education center, using as a model the Shelton-Badgett North Carolina Center for Viticulture & Enology.  It would serve Virginia’s wine industry by training the next generation of wine makers and vineyard managers through certificate and degree programs. 

2.      Project Title: Developing a Roadmap for Agriculture and Forestry Industries in   Essex County                              

Applicant:      Essex County Industrial Development Authority

Award:           $17,000

Summary:      Through a competitive bidding process, the Essex County Industrial Development Authority (IDA) is proposing to hire a contractor to work with an appointed Essex County Agriculture and Forestry Advisory Board to develop a strategic plan for agriculture and forestry industries within Essex County.  The effort will help the County promote and enhance the competitiveness of its agriculture and forestry industry.

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Governor McAuliffe Announces Telos Corporation to Create 160 New Virginia Jobs

Map of Virginia highlighting Loudoun County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

~ Leading cybersecurity company to invest $5 million in facility upgrade and renovation in Loudoun County ~ 

Governor Terry McAuliffe announced today that Telos Corporation, a leading cybersecurity company, will invest $5 million in its operations in Loudoun County.  The company will undergo a major renovation to its headquarters facility and increase cybersecurity capacity, creating 160 new jobs over 36 months. Virginia successfully competed against Maryland for the project, and also retains 240 existing jobs.

“My top priority as governor is to grow and diversify Virginia’s economy and make Virginia a leader in 21st Century industries like cybersecurity,” said Governor McAuliffe. “I am pleased that Virginia has retained Telos Corporation with this project and that such a major employer will add 160 new jobs here in the Commonwealth. Investing in a significant facility upgrade and increased cybersecurity capacity is a great testament to the assets Virginia has and Telos’ confidence in a long and successful future in the Commonwealth.”

Telos Corporation has provided innovative IT solutions and services to the government and commercial organizations for more than 30 years, focusing since 1997 on cybersecurity. The company’s solutions ensure that the most security-conscious organizations, including Department of Defense, the Intelligence Community, and financial services firms, comply with demanding information security mandates.

“Telos has long been committed to Loudoun’s economic development,” said Telos Chairman and CEO John B. Wood. “We’re pleased to continue to make our home in this vibrant business environment.”

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Loudoun County to secure the project for Virginia. Former Governor Bob McDonnell approved a $500,000 grant from the Governor’s Opportunity Fund to assist Loudoun County with the project. The company is also eligible to receive a Major Business Facility Job Tax Credit. Through its Virginia Jobs Investment Program, the Virginia Department of Business Assistance will provide funding and services to support the company’s recruitment and training activities.

Loudoun County Board of Supervisors Chairman Scott K. York said, “Not only is Telos an important business for Loudoun County, they’re also a very active community partner. Mr. Wood was a co-founder of the CEO Cabinet and a Past Chair of our Economic Development Commission, and the company has been at the lead of many initiatives from education to support for our military. I’m proud to say that Loudoun will continue to be the home for Telos for years to come.”

Loudoun County Economic Development Director Buddy Rizer said, “The cybersecurity industry in Loudoun County is poised to grow ten-fold over the next 10 years, and Telos is a leader in that arena. Loudoun has over 900 federal government contractors, and Telos has made the Washington Technology Top 100 Government Contractors list for the 10th year in a row.”

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Governor McDonnell Announces VDOT, Loudoun, and Airports Authority Partner to Widen Route 606

The main toll plaza of the Dulles Greenway (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

$106 million, five-mile widening begins in 2014

DULLES - At a ceremony this morning the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), Loudoun County, and the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) celebrated their partnership to jointly fund and deliver widening Route 606, a critical commuter link between Route 50, the Dulles Greenway, and Route 28 in Loudoun County.

            Speaking about the project, Governor McDonnell remarked, “This partnership will make Route 606 safer and ensure that motorists and commuters reach their destinations more quickly. Once complete, it will mean easier, less congested commutes for Virginians on a vital transportation link.”

“The need for added capacity and safety improvements on Route 606 is clear,” said Virginia Transportation Secretary Sean T. Connaughton. “This partnership project will ensure the road can handle current and future traffic volumes, and provide easy access to Dulles Airport, the future Route 606 Metro station, the Dulles North Transit Center as well as the Sterling, Herndon, and Ashburn business centers.”

Under the partnership, VDOT will contribute about $40.5 million, Loudoun County, approximately $41.2 million; and MWAA, about $24.4 million. Subject to approval by its Board of Directors, MWAA will contribute 56 acres of land, valued at approximately $12 million, on which most of the widening would take place. The total cost of the project is $106.1 million.

“Improving Route 606 will enhance transportation options for commuters, business and visitors,” said MWAA President and CEO Jack Potter. “This project will help bring opportunities to all residents and businesses in the area, including the airport.”

“Securing funding to widen Route 606 has been one of my top priorities during my first term in Richmond,” said Delegate David Ramadan (87th District).  “As a key component of the Dulles Loop, 606 plays a vital role in the region's economy.  I'm pleased to see cooperation between VDOT, Loudoun County, and MWAA on this important project, which will benefit Loudoun commuters and Dulles Airport.”

“I’m extremely happy that we are able to move forward with this project to improve Route 606,” said Chairman Scott K. York of the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors.  “Route 606, which is a bottleneck now, is a vital link that connects the Dulles South communities with the northern part of the county. Improvement of this road from two lanes to four lanes will be a tremendous relief to both commuters and business that depend on this route on a daily bases.”   Chairman York added, “I want to thank both the Virginia Department of Transportation and the Metropolitan Washington Airport’s Authority for partnering with the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors, thus making it possible to move forward with construction.”

“Dulles District residents and businesses have been plagued for years by severe congestion on Route 606,” said Loudoun County Supervisor Matt Letourneau.  “This project will bring much-needed relief to my constituents who spend far too much time on this road.  Widening 606 was identified as the top transportation priority by the Board of Supervisors, and I'm eager to get this project underway and thankful for the support of Loudoun's partners on the project.”

Route 606 will be reconstructed and widened from two lanes to a four-lane divided roadway for 5.3 miles, from Evergreen Mills Road to the Dulles Greenway. Work also includes:

·         Acquisition of 43 parcels

·         Major utility relocations

·         Signalized intersections and turn lanes

·         A 256-foot-long twin-decked bridge over the Horsepen Dam spillway

·         Improvements to Horsepen Dam

·         Nine storm water management ponds

·         Major drainage structures for Cabin Branch

Construction will begin in fall 2014 and take nearly three years to complete.

Route 606 currently handles about three times the volume of traffic considered acceptable. Based on pavement width, shoulders and sight distance, an acceptable traffic volume for Route 606 is 6,700 vehicles a day. Traffic counts in 2011 were 21,500 and are expected to grow to 35,250 a day by 2036. 

From 2007 to the end of 2010, a total of 158 accidents were reported on Route 606 between Evergreen Mills Road and the Dulles Greenway. That number increased by 49 percent in 2010. This indicates that road conditions on Route 606 are not designed for the high volume of traffic, resulting in unsafe conditions.

Planning for the widening of the Route 606 corridor has been ongoing since the early 1990’s. Route 606 was widened between Route 50 and Route 621 in 2003. The project is part of the planned “Dulles Loop” an 18-mile loop that would circle Dulles Airport by improving portions of Route 50, Route 606, and Route 28.

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