The Cook Foundation Announces Battle of the Hook Art Competition in Commemoration of the 1781 Revolutionary War Battle Free Images Supplied

Battle of the Hook- By Chuck Thompson of TTC Media (Photo credit: Battleofthehook)

A Battle of the Hook reenactment will return to Gloucester, VA Oct. 19-20 at the Inn at Warner Hall.

Free Images Available From GVLN.  See Bottom Of Post.

Calling all artists!

The Cook Foundation is pleased to announce it will sponsor a Battle of the Hook poster competition in commemoration of the 1781 Revolutionary War battle that will be reenacted in Gloucester, VA Oct. 19 and 20 at the Inn at Warner Hall.

Original paintings, drawings and silhouettes are accepted.

Submissions should depict the Tidewater, Virginia region from 1776 to 1781 and feature the themes of perseverance, endurance and courage.

The winning entry will receive a $500 prize.

The competition is open to ages 18 and up. The winning entry will become the property of the 7th Virginia Regiment, who will use the artwork to produce a commemorative poster.

The winning artist will also agree to sign a limited number of the reproductions and be available for advertising and promotions.

The $25 entry fee is tax deductible.

Completed applications must be postmarked by Aug. 15 and mailed to Gloucester Parks, Recreation & Tourism at 6467 Main Street, Gloucester, VA 23061. Applications are available athttp://www.battleofthehook.org.

Artwork must be received by 5 p.m. Monday, Aug. 26 at the Gloucester Main Street Preservation Trust at 6894 Main Street, Gloucester, VA 23061. Artwork can be dropped off Aug. 23 and Aug. 26 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The winning entry will be announced Sept. 4 and unveiled at the Inn at Warner Hall’s Battle of the Hook Patriot Dinner on Sept. 11.

ABOUT THE BATTLE OF THE HOOK

On October 19 and 20 a reenactment of the 1781 Battle of the Hook that took place in Gloucester County, helping win the Siege of Yorktown and America's independence.

The reenactment, one of the largest recreations of a Revolutionary War battle, will bring together more than 1,000 infantry, cavalry, artillery and maritime landing reenactors from across the country at the Inn at Warner Hall, home of President George Washington’s ancestors.

“This Revolutionary War reenactment celebrated General Washington’s victory over the British Army,” said Warren Deal, the Battle of the Hook planning committee’s chairman. “Historic battles will be brought to life by living historians. Recreated military units from across the country will encamp near the actual battlefields where the American Revolution was won after six long years of fighting.”

This is the second Battle of the Hook reenactment. The first took place at the same location nearly five years ago.

The events leading up to the Revolutionary War’s Yorktown Campaign and the subsequent victory of the Allies that insured the independence of the United States are well known. Less well known is the Battle of the Hook – the battle that took place across the York River from Yorktown 16 days before the British capitulation. Although rather brief, it included the largest cavalry engagement of the war, with more than 500 horsemen involved.

The Inn at Warner Hall, where the reenactment will take place, is located roughly three and a half miles from U.S. Route 17 and a 30-minute drive from Colonial Williamsburg.

The battlefields of Yorktown are within 15 minutes and Jamestown, America’s first settlement, is a 50-minute drive along the scenic Colonial Parkway. The state capitol of Richmond, the Norfolk Harbor, and Virginia Beach are within an hour’s drive.

For more information about the Battle of the Hook, visit http://www.battleofthehook.org.

ABOUT THE COOK FOUNDATION

The Cook Foundation is a non-profit, private foundation in Gloucester, VA dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in the community through the support of local arts and architecture. The Cook Foundation promotes aesthetic awareness and pride in the community. In June, the Cook Foundation presented its 7th Annual Symphony Under the Stars – a free family concert by the Virginia Symphony Orchestra.

For more information about the Cook Foundation, 

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2013/7/prweb10912498.htm  Link back to PR Web where article came from.

Need free images for your poster creation?  We have over 40 images we are giving free license to.  We will not be entering the contest for many reasons such as we do not like nor trust them.  We already have a poster for the Battle of the Hook we have been giving away and we already sell posters for the Battle of the Hook on this site.  Our profit is near nil on the posters for sale.  We didn't even want to make a profit on them but our hosting service does not allow us that option so we have the lowest margin on the Battle of the Hook collectibles we are allowed.  

http://www.flickr.com/photos/94782749@N03/sets/72157633201363512/  Link to our Battle of the Hook free licensed photo images.  You are free to use them any way you want.  We only ask that you give us credit for any image used.  It does not have to be in an obvious place, but must be given. The photos can be used for commercial purposes as well without royalties.  So design away.

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Governor McDonnell Announces 27 New Jobs in Pittsylvania County

English: Bumpersticker on the campaign trail (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

~ Dan River Plants Will Become First Commercial Spin-off from Danville’s Institute for Advanced Learning and Research ~

Governor’s AFID Fund Supports Company’s Utilization of Plant Technology Developed Jointly Between IALR, Virginia Tech

RICHMOND - Governor Bob McDonnell today announced that Dan River Plants, LLC (DRP), which uses tissue culture technology to replicate high-value horticulture and grass plants for conversion into bio-energy, will become the first official commercial venture by the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR).  DRP will invest more than $1.3 million and create at least 27 new jobs in Pittsylvania County’s Ringgold East Industrial Park, as part of its move and expansion from the Charles Hawkins Research Center at the IALR.

            Speaking about today’s announcement, Governor McDonnell said, “Dan River Plants’ project highlights the high-level of cooperation in the Commonwealth between our research universities, the private sector, and our local and regional economic development allies. It also underscores the economic transformation taking place in Southern Virginia as the region leverages its agricultural and manufacturing heritage to create employment opportunities using modern technology.  This administration has focused on fostering economic opportunities in every corner of the Commonwealth, particularly in our rural regions. Fully incorporating agriculture and forestry into our overall economic development and jobs creation agenda, appointing the first-ever Deputy Secretary for Rural Economic Development, and creating and funding the first of its kind Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund (AFID) are key components in our efforts to partner with the private sector to create more jobs and opportunities for our citizens.”

            The micropropagation technology employed by DRP stems from the collaboration between the Institute for Sustainable and Renewable Resources at IALR and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Virginia Tech.  The technology allows for the production of a large number of identical plants from a single plant, by removing small portions of the plant material and using special growing media and techniques to grow each portion into an identical plant.  This technology is very useful for the mass production of high-value, specialized plant varieties that do not reproduce identically or quickly under other production systems. 

            “While I am thrilled about the new jobs and investment this project brings to the region, as well as the important milestone IALR has reached, I am especially pleased to see the deployment of an important new asset for Virginia’s horticulture and nursery industry, the fifth largest agricultural sector in the Commonwealth,” said Todd Haymore, Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry.  “I applaud the entrepreneurial spirit of Dan River Plants’ leadership and the important work they’ve done with IALR and Virginia Tech to further boost Virginia’s diverse agricultural economy.”

            Operations at Dan River Plant Propagation Center, now DRP (www.danriverplants.com), have been underway at IALR for over two years, thanks in part to start-up support provided by the Danville Regional Foundation. With current expansion plans in place, the project is expected to move quickly, with a ground breaking ceremony planned for August and hiring to begin by spring 2014.

            “The expansion of Dan River Plants proves that the technology developed at the Institute translates into economic impact for Southern Virginia. Danville will be recognized as a leader in modern, innovative ag-based business,” said Jerry Gwaltney, IALR’s Acting Executive Director.

            “We are pleased that a site in Ringgold East Industrial Park, developed with assistance from the Tobacco Commission, could be part of the incentive package that helped make this project a reality.  We welcome the new jobs and investment in our community and look forward to their long term success.” said Marshall Ecker, Chairman of the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors.  “This project shows how well the County and its partners can work together to further the interests of the region.”

            “It’s great that the Institute has spun off DRP, just as they had envisioned. I wish them lots of success. This is good for the region,” said Jeremy Stratton, Director of Economic Development for the City of Danville.

            The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services worked with Pittsylvania County and IALR to help make the project a reality. Governor McDonnell approved a $150,000 matching grant from the Governor's AFID Fund to assist Pittsylvania with the project. The project is receiving additional assistance through the State's Enterprise Zone Program and through its Virginia Jobs Investment Program; the Virginia Department of Business Assistance will provide funding and services to support the company's recruitment, training and retraining activities.

            According to a 2013 economic impact study, 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.

About the Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund

The creation of the AFID was part of Governor McDonnell’s jobs-creation and economic development agenda during the 2012 session of the General Assembly.  Funded at $1 million in each year of the biennium, the AFID is broken into two categories with $750,000 going to large grants to assist local efforts in expanding current or attracting new agriculture and forestry processing facilities using Virginia-grown products (http://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/agribusiness/afid.shtml) and $250,000 dedicated to small grants to assist localities in improving local economic development efforts relating to agribusiness (http://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/agribusiness/planning.shtml).

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Links Between Poor Sleep, Weight Gain, and Cancer

English: Recurrent breast cancer (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

By Dr. Mercola

Sleep deprivation is such a pervasive condition in these days of artificial lights and non-stop entertainment, that you might not even realize you’re not getting enough sleep. It’s important to recognize that sleep is an absolutely crucial component of optimal health and disease prevention.

For example, the link between impaired sleep and cancer has been repeatedly confirmed. Tumors grow two to three times faster in laboratory animals with severe sleep dysfunctions, primarily due to disrupted melatonin production.

Melatonin inhibits the proliferation of a wide range of cancer cell types, as well as triggering cancer cell apoptosis (self-destruction). The hormone also interferes with the new blood supply tumors required for their rapid growth (angiogenesis).

Poor sleep is also associated with an increased risk of insulin resistance and weight gain—two additional factors that also play an important role in cancer development.

Less Sleep = Higher Risk of Cancer

Most recently, a study published in the journal Cancer, Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention1 found that men who had trouble sleeping were twice as likely to develop prostate cancer compared to those who slept well. According to the featured article:2

"This association was even stronger in cases of advanced prostate cancer, and the risk increased relative to the severity of the sleep problems... The lead researcher, Lara Sigurdardottir, Ph.D., expects that, ‘If our results are confirmed in future studies, sleep may become a potential target for intervention to reduce the risk of prostate cancer."

Another recent study3 found that insufficient sleep may be a contributing factor in both the recurrence of breast cancer, and more aggressive forms of breast cancer among post-menopausal women. According to the study’s co-author Dr. Li Li:4

"Short sleep duration is a public health hazard leading not only to obesity, diabetes and heart disease, but also cancer... 
Effective intervention to increase duration of sleep and improve quality of sleep could be an under-appreciated avenue for reducing the risk of developing more aggressive breast cancers and recurrence."

Sleeping less than six hours per night has also been implicated as a risk factor for colorectal adenomas, which may develop into cancer if left untreated. In fact, those who slept less than six hours a night were found to have a 50 percent increased risk compared to those who got seven hours or more of sleep per night.5

Insulin resistance and disrupted melatonin production are two potent mechanisms through which chronic sleep problems affect your cancer risk. The fact that poor sleep can have such a dramatic impact on insulin resistance is why I keep repeating that you simply cannot be optimally healthy unless you also sleep well—even if you eat right and exercise...

Insulin Resistance Drives Both Weight Gain and Cancer

In one 2005 study6 aptly titled: "Sleep loss: a novel risk factor for insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes," the authors note that “sleep exerts marked modulatory effects on glucose metabolism.” Lack of sleep also decreases levels of the fat regulating hormone leptin while increasing the hunger hormone ghrelin. The resulting increase in hunger and appetite can easily lead to overeating and weight gain.

According to a recent study in the journal Sleep,7 later bedtimes correlate to greater weight gain even in healthy, non-obese people.

Late-night snacking further increases that risk, which shouldn’t come as a great surprise. In fact, avoiding food at least three hours prior to bedtime is one of my standard recommendations as it helps to make sure that your body is burning fat as its primary fuel which will keep you lean. As reported in Medical News Today:8

"Andrea Spaeth and team had one group of participants sleeping just from 4 a.m. to 8 a.m. each night for five nights running, and compared them to a control group who were in bed from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. The investigators found that those who slept much less consumed more food, and therefore calories, compared to the normal-hours sleepers... Lead author, Andrea Spaeth... said:

'Although previous epidemiological studies have suggested an association between short sleep duration and weight gain/obesity, we were surprised to observe significant weight gain during an in-laboratory study.'"

The link between insulin resistance/weight gain and cancer may be of particular concern for women... Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, and obese women are thought to be up to 60 percent more likely to develop cancer than those of normal-weight. The reason for this increased risk is because many breast cancers are fueled by estrogen, a hormone produced in your fat tissue. So the more body fat you have, the more estrogen you’re likely to produce.

How Working the Night Shift May Affect Your Health

Confirming the need for regular sleep during night-time hours, researchers have also noted a link between night shift workers and higher rates of breast, prostate, colorectal cancer, and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Working the night shift also raises your risk of diabetes and obesity.

A Danish study published in the journal Occupational and Environmental Medicine,9 found that women who worked night shifts were significantly more likely to develop breast cancer compared to those who did not work nights.

After taking confounding effects into account, such as use of birth control pills, childbirth, hormone replacement therapy, age, and sunbathing, women who worked nights had an overall 40 percent higher risk of breast cancer. As reported by Time Magazinelast year:10

“The effect was cumulative: women who worked at least three night shifts a week for six years had twice the risk of breast cancer as those who worked one to two night shifts a week. Most surprising, though, was the fact that women who worked night shifts and described themselves as being ‘morning’ people — that is, they preferred to wake up early, rather than stay up late at night — had a four times higher risk of breast cancer than women who worked during the day.”

Interestingly, this study was also able to discount vitamin D deficiency as a culprit, as night shift workers were found to have greater levels of sun exposure compared to those working indoors during the day. This suggests that hormone disruptions (such as the insulin, leptin, ghrelin and melatonin disruptions discussed above) play a key role in cancer development that vitamin D alone cannot counteract. So again, a healthy lifestyle simply isn’t complete without enough proper sleep.

What You Need to Know About Sleeping Pills

According to a recent report by The Sleep Council,11 nearly half of those polled responded that stress and worry keep them tossing and turning at night, and nearly seven million Americans resort to sleeping pills in order to get some rest. While it may be tempting to look for a pill to quickly help you sleep, they will not address any of the underlying causes of insomnia.

In fact, researchers have repeatedly shown that sleeping pills don’t work, but your brain is being tricked into thinking they do... In one meta-analytic study, they found that, on average, sleeping pills help people fall asleep approximately 10 minutes sooner. From a biomedical perspective, this is an insignificant improvement.

On average, sleeping pills increase total sleep time by about 15-20 minutes. But here is the catch: This study also discovered that while most sleeping pills created poor, fragmented sleep, they also created amnesia, so upon waking, the participants could not recall how poorly they’d actually slept! Worse yet, sleeping pills have also been linked to a wide variety of health hazards, including a nearly four-fold increase in the risk of death, along with a 35 percent increased risk of cancer.

Additionally, most people do not realize that over-the-counter (OTC) sleeping pills -- can have a half life of about 18 hours. So, if you take them every night, you're basically sedated much of the time. Not surprisingly, they're associated with cognitive deficits in the morning. Trust me, there are far better, safer and more effective ways to get a good night's sleep...

Tips to Help You Sleep Better

There are many variables that impact how well you sleep. I suggest you read through my full set of 33 healthy sleep guidelines for all of the details, but to start, making some adjustments to your sleeping area can go a long way to ensure uninterrupted, restful sleep.

1. Cover your windows with blackout shades or drapes to ensure complete darkness. Even the tiniest bit of light in the room can disrupt your pineal gland's production of melatonin and the melatonin precursor serotonin, thereby disrupting your sleep cycle.
So close your bedroom door, get rid of night-lights, and refrain from turning on any light during the night, even when getting up to go to the bathroom. If you have to use a light, install so-called "low blue" light bulbs in your bedroom and bathroom. These emit light that will not suppress melatonin production.
2. Keep the temperature in your bedroom at or below 70 degrees F (21 degrees Celsius). Many people keep their homes and particularly their upstairs bedrooms too warm. Studies show that the optimal room temperature for sleep is quite cool, between 60 to 68 degrees F (15.5 to 20°C). Keeping your room cooler or hotter can lead to restless sleep.
3. Check your bedroom for electro-magnetic fields (EMFs). These can also disrupt your pineal gland's production of melatonin and serotonin, and may have other negative effects as well. To do this, you need a gauss meter. You can find various models online, starting around $50 to $200. Some experts even recommend pulling your circuit breaker before bed to kill all power in your house.
4. Move alarm clocks and other electrical devices away from your head. If these devices must be used, keep them as far away from your bed as possible, preferably at least three feet.
5. Reduce use of light-emitting technology, such as your TV, iPad, and computer, before going to bed. These emit the type of light that will suppress melatonin production, which in turn will hamper your ability to fall asleep, as well as increase your cancer risk (melatonin helps to suppress harmful free radicals in your body and slows the production of estrogen, which can contribute to cancer). Ideally, you'll want to turn all such light-emitting gadgets off at least one hour prior to bedtime.

As previously discussed by Dr. Rubin Naiman, a leader in integrative medicine approaches to sleep and dreams, sleep is the outcome of an interaction between two variables, namely sleepiness and what he refers to as "noise." This is any kind of stimulation that inhibits or disrupts sleep. In order to get a good night's sleep, you want your sleepiness level to be high, and the “noise” level to be low. Under normal conditions, your sleepiness should gradually increase throughout the day and evening, peaking just before you go to bed at night. However, if noise is conceptually greater than your level of sleepiness, you will not be able to fall asleep.

 http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/07/11/poor-sleep.aspx  For more information and videos on this subject, please follow the above link to the Mercola website.

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RISOTTO WITH LOBSTER - Recipe Of The Day

English: Chef Kevin Doherty's Lobster Risotto and grilled peaches at "Parker's Restaurant" in the Hisyoric Omni Parker House Hotel in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

For this risotto either lobster or crab meat can be used: the former is, however, considered more tasty. The lobster or crab meat ought to be about half the weight of the rice employed. A little more than a pound of rice and half this weight] of crab meat ought to be enough for six persons.

Chop fine a sprig of parsley, a stalk of celery, one carrot, half an onion a clove of garlic and brown the whole in good olive oil. When browned, add the crab meat and season with salt and pepper. During the cooking process stir and turn over the crabs, and when they have become red, pour over as much hot water as is necessary to cook the rice.

After the water boils for a while, remove the lobster (or crab, or craw-fish) leaving the saucepan on the fire. Put half of the crabs aside, and grind the rest. Rub the ground meat through the sieve and put it back on the fire. In another saucepan melt some butter and put into it little by little the rice that has been washed and dried. Stir and add the broth from the first saucepan. When the rice is almost cooked add the craw-fish that you have put aside, or rather its meat extracted from the shells, take from the fire and pour over it the fish mixture, adding some grated cheese.

Make Something Incredible Tonight.

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ESPN Sports Video Updates - MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL, Boxing, Gold, Tennis, Nascar

ESPN (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

National Blackout in protest of Russian Troops assigned to police American national events on US Soil.


http://www.infowars.com/russian-forces-to-provide-security-at-us-events/  Read the story here if you have not heard about this.  This national blackout will remain until the deal is reversed.

We Invade At Midnight - The Battle Begins For Suppression

Paul Revere's Midnight Ride" target="_blank">Paul Revere's Midnight Ride from Chuck Thompson

Paul Revere's Midnight Ride.  See the Liberty's Kids video and then read the short story right here on GVLN.  An incredible story of patriotism and determination.  There are several issues we see with Liberty's Kids.  We very much like these videos but notice that they lack one of the primary reasons and foundations to our independence.  Freedom of religion and the fact that this nation was founded on the principles of Christianity.  Using Benjamin Franklin as the main character to build all the stories around allows the creators of the series to avoid that aspect of our American past.

  We are debating whether or not to start another educational series showing how Christianity was very much a part of the American Revolution and never would have succeeded without it.  Our Constitution is based on Christian principles and according to the words of John Adams, will serve no other.

Free downloads of the story of Paul Revere's Midnight Ride are available on our SlideShare account.

 

This is a nice short video recreating the famous ride.  Well done.

35 x 28 1/2" (88.9 x 72.3 cm) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

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Suppressed Information You Were Never Taught

The Inventions, Researches and Writings of Nikola Tesla" target="_blank">The Inventions, Researches and Writings of Nikola Tesla from Chuck Thompson

If you watched the video on Nikola Tesla yesterday and downloaded a free copy of the Tesla book we posted, you already understand that Tesla's inventions and work were suppressed for financial reasons.  No one makes money by giving away critical technologies.  Tesla thought his inventions belonged to the world.  Others who financed him though otherwise.

  As we said yesterday, we would be giving away another one of Tesla's books today.  Here it is above.  430 pages total and includes pictures and diagrams.  Tesla's work is rarely covered in schools.  When it is, it is only partially covered.  His inventions and work are not explored in detail.  It's not because they lack merit.



It took individuals with vision to look at Tesla's work and realize that there is a lot more to his work and that the information is in fact suppressed.  Look what they have managed to accomplish despite the obstacles against them.  Tesla motors will be the wave of the future if they are not shut down.

  So take a look at the e-book above.  It's available for free downloads.  No cost, no signing up, no gimmicks no kidding.  Free really means free here.

http://www.putlocker.com/file/08DB4ABE620944E5  Free download link.  Or download a copy from our SlideShare site.  Create a better future.

Cover via Amazon

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Gunsmoke - Classic TV Wednesdays On GVLN

Gunsmoke.  Classic TV Wednesday's here on GVLN.   Gunsmoke ran for 20 seasons first starting in 1955 and ended in 1975.  The first 6 seasons were 30 minute episodes in black and white and then in the 7th season, the show switched over to one hour episodes.  The first 11 seasons were all black and white films and on the 12th season, the show switched over to color.  It's the longest western TV series ever produced.  Gunsmoke was also produced in comics and radio shows.  Once a very popular series.  Enjoy this classic right here on GVLN.  More useful by the day.

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Governor McDonnell Announces $150 Million Investment in Loudoun County

English: The scenic byways of Loudoun County are spotted with historical structures dating back to before the Civil War. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

~Digital Realty to create at least 50 new jobs in expansion~

RICHMOND – Governor Bob McDonnell today announced that Digital Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE: DLR), a leading global provider of data center solutions, plans to invest at least $150 million by 2015 in its Loudoun County operation. The company is expanding and upgrading data center facilities in Loudoun County, and expecting to create at least 50 new jobs through June 30, 2015.

            Speaking about today’s announcement, Governor McDonnell said, “Digital Realty maintains a strong Virginia presence, and with this major investment will grow and upgrade its operation in Loudoun County in order to more effectively serve customers with data centers located in the Commonwealth. The abundant data center infrastructure in Virginia, as well as our Sales & Use Tax Exemption incentive for data center owners and their tenants, are major benefits that put us at the forefront of this booming industry. This significant relief on computer equipment effectively lowers the total cost of ownership and operation, and enables Digital Realty and its customers to continue to grow and thrive in the Commonwealth.”

            “Digital Realty is an important corporate partner and among the major players in this competitive market that have recognized the benefits of a Virginia location,” said Jim Cheng, Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade. “More than 50 percent of the world’s Internet traffic passes through the Commonwealth’s state-of-the-art infrastructure, and the company’s significant investment and expansion is a testament to Virginia’s leadership in the technology sector.”

            Digital Realty Trust, Inc. focuses on delivering customer driven data center solutions by providing secure, reliable and cost effective facilities that meet each customer's unique data center needs. Digital Realty's customers include domestic and international companies across multiple industry verticals ranging from information technology and Internet enterprises, to manufacturing and financial services. Digital Realty's 122 properties, excluding three properties held as investments in unconsolidated joint ventures, comprise approximately 22.7 million square feet as of April 26, 2013, including 2.6 million square feet of space held for development. Digital Realty's portfolio is located in 32 markets throughout Europe, North America, Asia and Australia.

            “This sales tax exemption is really a boon for our customers with data centers located in Loudoun County—already one of the most attractive data center markets in the country,” said Michael F. Foust, Chief Executive Officer of Digital Realty. “The significant relief we and our customers expect to receive effectively lowers the total cost of ownership of our data centers in the area. We are very excited about this development and believe it further establishes Virginia as a key hub for companies seeking to locate or strengthen their east coast data center footprint.”

            The company will be eligible for a sales tax exemption on eligible data center computer equipment as a result of legislation passed in 2009 by the General Assembly. The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Loudoun County to grant the exemption to Digital Realty.

            “Loudoun County, Virginia is one of the strongest data center markets in the country, with five million square feet of data center space clustered in Data Center Alley, and another three million square feet in development,” says Buddy Rizer, Assistant Director of the Loudoun County Department of Economic Development. “We’re very pleased that Digital Realty, with more than one million square feet of space, is the largest data center operator in Loudoun County. And we look forward to the completion of their newest building, a 400,000-square-foot facility that will ultimately house 22 data centers.”

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