Governor McDonnell Announces $859,406 in Grants to Expand Community Services for Individuals with Disabilities

English: Governor of Virginia at CPAC in . (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

RICHMOND – Governor Bob McDonnell today announced that Virginia Board for People with Disabilities (VBPD), the Commonwealth’s Developmental Disabilities Council, has awarded six grants totaling $859,406 to improve and expand support for individuals with developmental and other disabilities. The grantees have leveraged an additional $324,992 in private, local and state funds. 

“The grants awarded by VBPD will benefit all Virginians, not just those with disabilities,” said Governor McDonnell. “As we continue the transition to a community-based system for individuals with developmental disabilities, it is important that we implement programs to help these individuals and the communities around them thrive.  The grants awarded will serve persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities in integrated settings as we move towards a Commonwealth of Opportunity for all.”

            The 2014 awards are:

Grantee:  Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Services (DBHDS)

Project:  “Peer-to-Peer Mentoring Program”

Grant Award:  $52,066       

Project Goal:  To develop a peer mentoring program for individuals with intellectual or other developmental disabilities being or recently discharged from state training centers.  Trained mentors will share their experiences and provide information and resources that will facilitate integration into community life.  DBHDS will partner with The Arc of Virginia and Hope House Foundation to build capacity and competence for a statewide peer-to-peer network and implement the mentoring program.

Grantee:  Virginia Association of Centers for Independent Living (VACIL)

Project:  “Empowerment to Prevent Institutionalization”

Grant Award:  $ 124,688    

Project Goal:  To prevent the institutionalization of people with developmental and other disabilities who experience medical interventions, behavioral stresses or changes in family dynamics. Materials specific to each region will be developed and approximately 450 healthcare professionals will be trained on preventing institutionalization.

Grantee:  Virginia Association of Centers for Independent Living (VACIL)

Project:  “ABLE: Advocates Building Livable Environments”

Grant Award:  $ 171,409    

Project Goal:  To significantly increase the knowledge, skill and expertise of builders, building inspectors/officials, engineers, architects and design professionals in the area of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Accessibility Guidelines and Fair Housing laws.  The initiative will train at least 120 building professionals in 134 jurisdictions in Virginia through multiple formats.

Grantee:  Virginia Commonwealth University—Partnership for People with Disabilities (PPD)

Project:  “Leadership for Empowerment and Abuse Prevention”

Grant Award:  $ 178,125    

Project Goal:  To teach people with developmental and other disabilities about healthy relationships and how to protect themselves from assault, abuse, neglect and violence. The curriculum will be piloted at a state training center and ultimately will train 250 persons with disabilities through 15-20 training sessions in central Virginia using a train-the-trainer model.  

Grantee:  Virginia Oral Health Coalition (VaOHC)

Project:  “Improving Oral Health for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities”

Grant Award:  $ 89,143      

Project Goal:  To build statewide capacity and commitment for the provision of dental health services to individuals with developmental disabilities. VaOHC will conduct three 2-day Regional Dental Provider Trainings, with continuing education credits, in Chesapeake, Lynchburg and Richmond. VaOHC will also work with the VCU School of Dentistry on a dental externship.

As Virginia’s Developmental Disabilities (DD) Council, VBPD works to develop and advance policies and practices that promote individual and family-directed services and supports that allow individuals with developmental and other disabilities to be fully integrated and included in all facets of community life.

VBPD has invested in more than 220 best-practice, demonstration, research, advocacy, training and outreach projects in the areas of community supports, healthcare, education, employment, housing and transportation. 

Funding for VBPD’s investment initiatives is provided by the federal Administration for Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,  under the national Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 (P.L. 106-402).

To learn more about VBPD, its grants, advocacy and leadership programs and other activities, visitwww.vaboard.org, call (800) 846-4464, or e-mail Info@VBPD.virginia.gov. 

Governor McDonnell Announces 60 New Jobs in Southampton County

English: The state seal of Virginia. Српски / Srpski: Застава америчке савезне државе Вирџиније. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

~Hampton Farms to invest $5.5 million in new peanut butter production plant ~

RICHMOND – Governor Bob McDonnell today announced that Hampton Farms, the leading roaster of in-shell peanuts in the United States, will invest $5.5 million to establish a peanut butter production plant in Southampton County. Virginia successfully competed against North Carolina for the project, which will create 60 new jobs.

            Speaking about today’s announcement, Governor McDonnell said, “We are thrilled that, as part of its regional corporate growth, Hampton Farms chose Virginia. Southampton County is the perfect fit for the company’s needs, offering an existing building that allows great speed to market, and abundant natural resources for its product. It is gratifying that a region that is recovering economically will gain 60 new jobs, and a strong Virginia agriculture sector will be utilized. We welcome Hampton Farms to the Commonwealth.”

            “It is always a pleasure to gain a new corporate partner to Virginia, and Hampton Farms is a great addition to the Commonwealth’s burgeoning food and beverage industry,” said Jim Cheng, Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade. “Southampton County will benefit from new jobs and investment, and the company is able to take advantage of the infrastructure in place that put Virginia ahead of the competition.”

            Hampton Farms has become the #1 brand of In-Shell peanuts in the country (Source: IRI 2011), and operates four strategically located roasting and productions facilities. The company remains family-owned and committed to producing the finest peanut snacks available.

            “Hampton Farms and Severn Peanut Company of Severn, N.C. are pleased to become a part of Southampton County and the Commonwealth of Virginia,” said G. Dallas Barnes, President & CEO of Hampton Farms. “We believe the relocation to Southampton/Franklin will be a great fit for Hampton Farms, and affords Hampton the benefit of immediate and long term expansion. Ms. Amanda Jarratt with Franklin Southampton Economic Development and Mike Johnson with Southampton County Administration have been instrumental in handling all of the many details. Their quick follow-up and willingness to work with Hampton was obvious.”

            The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Southampton County, Franklin Southampton Economic Development Inc., and the Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance to secure the project for Virginia. Governor McDonnell approved a $200,000 grant from the Governor’s Opportunity Fund to assist Southampton County with the project. The company is eligible to receive state benefits from the Virginia Enterprise Zone Program, administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. The company will be eligible for a sales tax exemption on eligible equipment as a result of legislation passed in 2009 by the General Assembly. 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.

            Dallas O. Jones, Chairman of the Southampton County Board of Supervisor indicated, “Southampton County is delighted to play a part in Hampton Farms’ and Severn Peanut Company’s continued growth and development. For more than 60 years, we’ve admired their growth from a small, local peanut sheller to the leading roaster and number one brand of in-shell peanuts in the country. They’ve built their business the right way, with a strong reputation for honesty and integrity, and we are honored to partner with them on this latest expansion.  We appreciate the assistance of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, and the dedication of the Franklin-Southampton Economic Development Inc. (FSEDI) staff in working to bring this project to Southampton County.”

Statement of Governor Bob McDonnell on Virginia College Rankings in Princeton Review’s Best Value Colleges for 2013

University of Virginia (Photo credit: Phil Roeder)

University of Virginia Ranked Nation’s “Best Value College”; William & Mary Ranked #4

Nine Virginia Schools Make List

RICHMOND – Governor Bob McDonnell issued the following statement today regarding the Princeton Review’s release of the “Best Value Colleges for 2013.”  Among the 75 best public colleges, the University of Virginia is ranked No. 1 and the College of William and Mary No. 4.  Christopher Newport University, George Mason University, James Madison University, Longwood University, Radford University, and Virginia Tech are also on the list.  The University of Richmond is on the list of private colleges.  The Princeton Review rankings are based on 30 data points covering academics, costs and financial aid, as well as the percentage of graduating seniors who borrowed from any loan program and the average debt those students had at graduation.

“We continue to see Virginia’s public and private colleges lead the rankings of top colleges and universities nationwide.  That is because we truly have one of the best higher education systems in the world.  I want to congratulate the University of Virginia and the College of William and Mary for their number one and number four rankings respectively, as well as the nine total Virginia schools who were ranked among the best value colleges in the nation.  Over the last three years, we have strived to increase access to a top-quality education in Virginia while making sure our students are adequately prepared for the top-jobs of tomorrow by placing a greater a greater emphasis on the high demand subjects of science, technology, engineering and math.  At the same time, through reform-based investments we have worked to get tuition increases in check and reduce the cost of higher education for Virginia’s students.  In all, we have invested close to $400 million into higher education and undergraduate enrollment at our public and private institutions have increased by 17,000 students. We continue to work to ensure that Virginia’s colleges are more affordable and accessible for our students, and we are seeing the results of this work in rankings such as these.”

The full list of “Best Value Colleges for 2013” is available at http://www.princetonreview.com/best-value-colleges.aspx.

Governor Bob McDonnell Announces Amtrak and Virginia Reach Agreement for New Era in Passenger Rail

English: The state seal of Virginia. Српски / Srpski: Застава америчке савезне државе Вирџиније. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Commonwealth is First State to Take Greater Control of Regional Intercity Passenger Service under Federal Law

RICHMOND – Governor Bob McDonnell announced today that Virginia has stepped up in partnership with Amtrak to sign on as the first state to usher in a new era and take greater control of passenger rail service.  Under the agreement Virginia will be assuming greater costs associated with making intercity passenger rail service available to communities between Washington, D.C., and Lynchburg, Newport News and Norfolk, including Richmond. This new operating and capital cost-sharing agreement with Amtrak, as required under federal law, needed to be in place no later than  October 1, 2013 or all Virginia regional rail service would have ceased.

            “Over 1.5 million people either board or disembark on a train in Virginia,” said Governor McDonnell.  “Stopping regional Amtrak service in the Commonwealth was not an option.  With this agreement between Virginia and Amtrak, we can continue to provide for existing regional intercity passenger rail service and work toward extending new service from Lynchburg into Roanoke and extend more service to Norfolk. I’m pleased that Virginia was the first state able to sign this agreement.”

            “Under the leadership of Governor McDonnell, Virginia worked to ensure that a dedicated funding source was created to insure that state-supported regional intercity passenger rail continues to operate after October 1,” said Transportation Secretary Sean T. Connaughton. “Many Virginians rely on this cost-effective, comfortable transportation option, and this administration has recognized how important this service is to citizens of the Commonwealth.”

            The agreement supports Virginia’s ongoing commitment to offering the public transportation choices to driving on congested highway corridors like I-95, Route 29, Route 460, and I-81, expanding mobility and increasing connectivity for travel throughout the regions served and along the Northeast Corridor. Passenger rail service also supports economic development and job growth for long-term local investment along service routes.

            “Virginia is a forward-thinking leader on this issue, developing the cost-sharing methodology with Amtrak and becoming the first state to ensure its corridor services continue to operate beyond the October 1 deadline,” said Amtrak President and CEO Joe Boardman.   “Virginia recognizes the value, mobility and economic development that Amtrak service brings to the state and local communities.”

            The agreement between Virginia and Amtrak is part of Section 209 of the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 (PRIIA), a federal law that requires Amtrak to work with the 19 affected states to establish a consistent cost-sharing methodology for the 28 corridor routes of less than 750 miles in order to ensure fair and equitable treatment of all states. Starting in late 2010, Amtrak and the Section 209 State Working Group, comprised of representatives from California, Maine, North Carolina, Virginia, and Wisconsin, developed a cost-sharing methodology that ultimately received approval for implementation by the Surface Transportation Board.

  

About Amtrak Virginia:

Amtrak Virginia is a program developed by the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) andAmtrak to provide more rail travel choices in Virginia. The new service promotes economic, tourism and environmental benefits. For more information visit AmtrakVirginia.com.

About Amtrak®:

Amtrak is America’s Railroad®, the nation’s intercity passenger rail service and its high-speed rail operator. A record 31.2 million passengers traveled on Amtrak in FY 2012 on more than 300 daily trains – at speeds up to 150 mph (241 kph) – that connect 46 states, the District of Columbia and three Canadian Provinces. Amtrak operates intercity trains in partnership with 15 states and contracts with 13 commuter rail agencies to provide a variety of services. Enjoy the journey® at Amtrak.com or call 800-USA-RAIL for schedules, fares and more information. Join us on facebook.com/Amtrak and follow us at twitter.com/Amtrak.

Governor Bob McDonnell Announces “This Commonwealth of Opportunity” Statewide Tour

English: Governor of Virginia at CPAC in . (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Will Travel Virginia from Bristol to Machipongo to Fairfax

***Tour Highlights Virginia’s Successes During McDonnell Administration***

RICHMOND- Governor Bob McDonnell will embark this Friday on a week-long “This Commonwealth of Opportunity” tour of Virginia. The tour, which begins in Salem and concludes in Leesburg, will highlight Virginia’s successes over the past three and a half years including a falling unemployment rate, rebounding shellfish industry, transportation breakthroughs, open space conservation achievements, increased agricultural exports, and educational innovations to benefit Virginia’s students, teachers and parents. The tour will take the governor, and members of the cabinet, from Virginia’s highest bridge in Buchanan County in the mountains of Southwest Virginia to a vineyard located between the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean on the Eastern Shore. Along the way the tour will be stopping everywhere from Civil War battlefields to growing research universities to 21st century technology companies.

            Speaking about the upcoming tour, Governor McDonnell noted, “This is a Commonwealth of Opportunity. Over the past three and a half years, through bipartisan cooperation, Virginia has taken tremendous steps forward. Our unemployment rate has fallen from 7.3% to 5.5% and is the lowest in the Southeast, and far below the national average. Since the beginning of our administration, Virginia has added 172,600 net new jobs. Agricultural exports have reached record highs. At the same time we’ve posted four straight revenue surpluses, more than doubled the state’s Rainy Day Fund, and dramatically reduced the future unfunded liabilities in our pension system. State workers have received their first pay raise in 6 years. We broke a nearly three-decade long standstill on transportation funding to put in place a bold new plan that will pump nearly $6 billion in new revenue into roads and rail around the state over the next five years. We’ve made college more affordable and accessible for Virginia students, and added thousands of new slots for in-state students at our colleges and universities. And our K-12 system is stronger than ever with the implementation of new reforms and policies that will ensure all students get the world-class educations they deserve. In short, the last three and a half years have witnessed significant progress being made in addressing the challenges facing our citizens in their daily lives. Virginia has more jobs; Virginians have more opportunities. I look forward to traveling the state in the days ahead to see some of these successes first-hand, and to learn more about what we can continue to do in Richmond to improve the lives of all Virginians.” 

            A full tour schedule is listed below.

Governor Bob McDonnell’s “This Commonwealth of Opportunity” Statewide Tour

August 9^th – August 15^th

Friday, August 9, 2013

Salem - 1:00 PM

Governor McDonnell Announces Strategic Compensation Grant Recipients

Andrew Lewis Middle School Library

616 South College Avenue

Salem

Roanoke – 2:45 PM

Governor McDonnell Joins Transit Leaders for Announcement about Amtrak Service to Roanoke

Pedestrian Walkway between the Roanoke Convention Center and Hotel Roanoke

710 Williamson Road

Roanoke

Bristol – 5:00 PM

Governor McDonnell Visits the Birthplace of Country Music Museum

520 Cumberland St‎

Bristol

Saturday, August 10, 2013

Bristol – 11:00 AM

Governor McDonnell Tours Wire Tough

14570 Industrial Park Road, Suite C

Bristol

Breaks – 2:30 PM

Governor McDonnell Takes Part in U.S. Route 460 Connector Phase I Project Briefing

Phase I Project Site (off Route 80 adjacent to Breaks Interstate Park)

627 Commission Circle

Breaks

Galax – 5:45 PM

Governor McDonnell attends Old Fiddler's Convention “Poor Man's Supper”

Felt's Park

601 S. Main Street

Galax

Sunday, August 11, 2013

Blackstone –2:30 PM

Governor McDonnell Visits Virginia National Guard Units at Fort Pickett and Tours Facilities

Fort Pickett

Blackstone

Monday, August 12, 2013

Lynchburg –10:00 AM

Governor McDonnell Participates in Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Governor’s STEM Academy

Central Virginia Community College—AREVA Technology Center

3506 Wards Road

Lynchburg

Release: https://www.governor.virginia.gov/news/viewRelease.cfm?id=1472

Lynchburg – 11:30 AM

Governor McDonnell Takes Part in Odd Fellows Road Interchange Project Briefing

VDOT Training Center—Ramey Memorial Auditorium

4303 Campbell Avenue (Rt. 501)

Lynchburg

Release: http://www.governor.virginia.gov/news/viewRelease.cfm?id=1907

Danville –2:15 PM

Governor McDonnell Tours Precision Machining Center at Danville Community College

Danville Community College—Charles R. Hawkins Engineering & Industrial Technologies Building

Boswell Street

Danville

Ringgold - 3:30 PM

Governor McDonnell Participates in Groundbreaking Ceremony for Dan River Plants, LLC

Dan River Industrial Park

2311 Cane Creek Parkway

Ringgold

Release: http://www.governor.virginia.gov/news/viewRelease.cfm?id=1891 

Martinsville – 5:30 PM

Governor McDonnell Hosts Cook Out for State Employees

Virginia Museum of Natural History—Great Hall

21 Starling Avenue

Martinsville

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Virginia Beach - 10:30 AM

Governor McDonnell Visits Sugar Plum Bakery

1353 Laskin Road

Virginia Beach

Portsmouth – 1:00 PM

Governor McDonnell Participates in Conversation about Virginia’s New Restoration of Rights Policy

Tidewater Community College—Portsmouth Campus Building A

120 Campus Drive

Portsmouth

Release: https://www.governor.virginia.gov/news/viewRelease.cfm?id=1895

Chesapeake – 2:30 PM

Governor McDonnell Makes Major Economic Development Announcement

*Details to be announced closer to event.

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Machipongo – 9:00 AM

Governor McDonnell Tours Chatham Vineyards and Winery

9232 Chatham Road

Machipongo

Weems – 11:00 AM
Governor McDonnell Tours Kellum Seafood’s Oyster Harvesting, Shucking and Packing Facility

Kellum Seafood

96 Shipyard Lane

Weems

Fredericksburg – 2:15 PM

Governor McDonnell Tours Intuit and Meets with Employees

110 Juliad Court

Fredericksburg

Woodbridge - 4:15 PM

Governor McDonnell Participates in Roundtable Discussion on Veteran Issues

VFW 1503 Dale City

14631 Minnieville Road

Woodbridge

Thursday, August 15, 2013

Alexandria – 9:30 AM

Governor McDonnell Participates in Roundtable on K-12 Education Reform

*Details to be announced closer to event.

Fairfax – 11:00 AM

Governor McDonnell Discusses Higher Education Policy Reform and the Path Forward

George Mason University

4400 University Drive

Fairfax

Leesburg – 12:30 PM

Governor McDonnell Makes Major Civil War Battleground Preservation Announcement

Ball's Bluff State Park

Leesburg

Governor McDonnell Announces $93.5 Million Investment in Roanoke

English: The state seal of Virginia. Српски / Srpski: Застава америчке савезне државе Вирџиније. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

~Ardagh Group to establish metal packaging manufacturing plant and create 96 new jobs ~

-Project represents largest single manufacturing investment in Roanoke County history-

Virginia beats out 6 states for project

RICHMOND – Governor Bob McDonnell today announced that Ardagh Group, a global manufacturer of containers for the food and beverage industry, will invest $93.5 million to establish a metal packaging manufacturing operation in a 525,000-square-foot facility in Roanoke County. Earlier this year Ardagh signed a long-term supply agreement with a major customer, ConAgra, requiring the company to add capacity in the eastern United States. Virginia successfully competed against Kentucky, North Carolina, Maryland, West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Tennessee for the project, which will create 96 new jobs.

            Speaking about today’s announcement, Governor McDonnell said, “This tremendous project represents the largest single manufacturing investment in Roanoke County history and is a major win for Virginia against six competing states. The new manufacturing plant is Ardagh Group’s first operation in the Commonwealth, and will allow the company to easily serve contracts with its expanding global customer base. We thank Ardagh for its significant investment and creation of nearly 100 jobs, and are confident in its future success in Virginia.”

            “An investment of this magnitude and 96 new jobs is outstanding economic news for Roanoke County, the surrounding region and Virginia,” said Jim Cheng, Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade. “Ardagh Group was able to purchase a high-quality, existing facility that met its needs and will be a showcase to its worldwide customers. In this competitive market we are proud that global companies like Ardagh continue to recognize the benefits of a Virginia location.”

            Ardagh Group is a Luxembourg-based global leader in metal and glass packaging solutions for the world’s leading food, beverage and consumer brands. The company has more than 100 facilities and 18,000 employees in 25 countries producing 26.6 billion containers a year. U.S. metal packaging operations are based in Carnegie, Pa. In addition to Roanoke, the company has facilities in Bloomsburg, Pa., Weirton, W.Va., Conklin, N.Y., and Terminal Island, Calif.         

            “Our expansion into Roanoke County was the result of evaluating a variety of qualifications, including, but not limited to, the proximity to our major customer, favorable business tax structure, skilled labor and reasonable cost of living for our employees, as well as logistical advantages,” said James Willich, CEO, Ardagh Metal Packaging USA Inc. “We’re pleased that Roanoke County emerged to be the clear choice.”

            The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Roanoke County and the Roanoke Regional Partnership to secure the project for Virginia. Governor McDonnell approved a $750,000 grant from the Governor’s Opportunity Fund to assist Roanoke County with the project. The company qualifies for rail access funding from the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation. 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.

            “Roanoke County welcomes a global manufacturing brand to Roanoke County,” said Michael Altizer, chairman of the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors. “This represents the largest single manufacturing investment in Roanoke County’s history, and we anticipate even greater long-term investments from the company and its suppliers.  We’re delighted that Ardagh has the confidence to invest in our region and we look forward to assisting them in this transition.”

Gunsmoke - Chester's Mail Order Bride, Classic TV

Classic TV for Wednesday is Gunsmoke.  This episode comes from season one and is titled, Chester's Mail Order Bride.  Step back in time and relax after working hard.  Take a trip in our time machine to years ago.  Come back for more classic TV, movies, radio, books and comics right here on GVLN.

Gunsmoke (Photo credit: Wikipedia)