Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Senator Mark Warner Hampton Roads Virginia Quarterly Regional Newsletter

English: Mark Warner, member of the United Sta...
 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
A week ago, I traveled 1,200 miles over five days to meet with Virginians from every region of the Commonwealth. Over the course of 30 events, town halls and roundtables in 18 different communities, I was encouraged to hear genuine optimism from a lot of people about more signs of a genuine economic recovery. Folks also noticed that, for the first time in a while, Congress now appears to be moving forward together to begin addressing some of our nation’s challenges. 

I wanted to update you about my recent work in Congress to strengthen the economy and create jobs here in Hampton Roads. As always, I would welcome your thoughts, comments and concerns. 

Thanks again for the honor of representing you in Congress. 

Regards, 
Mark R. Warner

Working to Restore Military Retirement Benefits 

I have been working with colleagues in the Senate to repeal and replace the proposed cut to military pensions that was included in the Bipartisan Budget Act, which recently passed with overwhelming bipartisan majorities in the House and Senate. The recent spending bill repealed those cuts for disabled military retirees who were medically retired, but other military men and women were understandably concerned about this mid-career change in pension policy. Our service men and women deserve much better than seeing their pensions arbitrarily cut by lawmakers in Washington. Senators did not have an opportunity to vote on amendments to the budget agreement first approved by the House, so I immediately introduced legislation to replace the COLA cut for military retirees by closing a loophole that some companies use to avoid paying taxes. The proposed cut to military pensions is not scheduled to take effect until 2015, so I can assure you there will be plenty of time and many opportunities to reverse these pension cuts that unfairly single out Virginia military families. 

Virginia Chosen to Lead Drone Research & Testing 

After months of working with the Federal Aviation Administration, I was proud to announce the selection of a Virginia partnership to spearhead a research effort to help map the future of drones in commercial airspace. Following the grant announcement, I organized a roundtable in Norfolk with partners from NASA-Langley, NASA-Wallops, Lockheed Martin, the U.S. Navy, private drone companies and Virginia Tech to discuss possible economic benefits for manufacturing in Virginia. It’s my hope that this partnership will also be able to help sort out the legitimate public concerns about privacy and air safety as we move toward a safe and responsible integration of unmanned aircraft. 

Fighting for Virginia’s Volunteer Emergency Responders 

Beginning last fall, I started hearing from many volunteer fire and rescue departments in Virginia who had concerns about some confusing language in The Affordable Care Act. The Treasury Department was not being especially helpful in clarifying whether or not volunteer first responders, who typically have health coverage through their full-time employers, would be required to be counted as full-time employees by their volunteer departments. Such a mandate could have required volunteer departments to significantly cut their membership ranks, and that certainly was not the intent of Congress. I wrote to the Secretary of the Treasury last month, asking him to settle this confusion once and for all, and I am pleased the IRS now has made it clear that volunteer first responders do not count in ACA’s requirement that employers with 50 or more workers must provide health coverage or face penalties. I’ve said all along that there will be issues like these that arise with health care reform, and we should work in a bipartisan way to fix them. In this instance, I am pleased we were able to protect those who protect us. 

Better Protections for Consumers 

At nearly $700 billion in sales each year, prepaid cards are one of the fastest growing parts of the financial industry. However, issuers of prepaid cards currently are not required to provide the same level of consumer protections offered by most other gift cards and credit cards. I introduced legislation earlier this month to change this, so that technology doesn’t outpace smart consumer protections. Additionally, following the recent Target data breach affecting at least 70 million customers, as well as data breaches at other high-profile U.S. companies, I will chair a hearing in the Senate Banking Committee next week to examine whether companies and financial service providers are taking all actions necessary to safeguard consumer data. I’ll also look at whether stronger industry-wide cybersecurity standards are needed. 

Returning to Normal Order in Congress 

Congress recently passed a bipartisan spending bill that will ease the harshest effects of last year's automatic sequester cuts. This legislation is an important step toward normal order in the Senate, and the first appropriations bill passed since 2009. It included almost $487 billion indefense spending to advance our nation’s security and military readiness, and to provide support for our troops and their families, and fully funded ship-repair and shipbuilding accounts. A list of additional Virginia priorities that were funded through the appropriations bill is available here. 

This two-year budget agreement should help Virginia families, employers and community leaders move forward with more predictability and confidence. While I’m pleased that, at least in the near term, we will not be lurching from crisis to crisis, I believe we still need to have a comprehensive and thorough conversation about our nation’s deficit and debt.
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Governor McAuliffe Announces 135 New Jobs for Northampton County

English: Former DNC Chair Terry McAuliffe spea...
 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
~Bayshore Concrete Products to invest $4 million in harbor infrastructure improvement and expansion ~ 

RICHMOND - Governor Terry McAuliffe announced today that Bayshore Concrete Products, a subsidiary of Skanska USA and producer of quality precast concrete products, will invest $4 million to expand its operation in the Town of Cape Charles in Northampton County. The company’s investment in harbor infrastructure improvements will create 135 new jobs and will allow Bayshore to precast larger concrete components and ship them to customers for transportation and major infrastructure projects. Virginia successfully competed against Maryland, New Jersey and New York for the project.

            Speaking in Cape Charles at today’s announcement, Governor McAuliffe said, “This critical infrastructure expansion project secures the future viability of Bayshore Concrete Products’ operation in the Town of Cape Charles in Northampton County. The ability to produce and ship larger concrete components will allow the company to win additional major projects, greatly expanding its customer base and increasing competitiveness. Bayshore has thrived in Virginia for more than five decades, and this project secures the existing employee base and adds 135 valuable jobs. This expansion is significant in the long-term, as improvements to the harbor carry extensive benefits not only to Bayshore, but also to other companies on the Eastern Shore, and pave the way for future opportunities for growth for the region.”

            “Bayshore Concrete Products has a rich history in Cape Charles and has experienced continued growth since its establishment in 1961,” said Maurice Jones, Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade. “This project and resulting infrastructure improvements ensure that the company and the region will thrive for the next 50 years to come.”

            Skanska USA is one of the largest, most financially sound construction and development companies in the country, serving a broad range of industries, including healthcare, education, sports, data centers, government, aviation, transportation, power, energy, water/wastewater and commercial. Headquartered in New York with 39 offices across the country, Skanska USA employs more than 8,300 employees committed to sustainable construction and development and an injury-free workplace.Skanska USA consists of four business units: Skanska USA Building, which specializes in building construction; Skanska USA Civil, specialized in civil infrastructure; Skanska Infrastructure Development, which develops public-private partnerships; and Skanska USA Commercial Development, which develops commercial projects in selected U.S. markets. Global revenue of parent company Skanska AB, headquartered in Stockholm and listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange, totaled $19.5 billion in 2012.

            "The partnership that we have formed with the Town of Cape Charles, Northampton County and the Commonwealth of Virginia made Cape Charles the right choice to pursue the infrastructure improvements needed to make production of our components in Virginia more cost effective and successful,” said Chad A. Saunders, Bayshore Concrete Products Vice President/General Manager. “The 50-plus years of experience with our local workforce, deep water access, and support from officials at the town, county and state will position us to build some of the largest and most complicated precast components in the MidAtlantic and Northeast regions of the United States for the foreseeable future."

            The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) worked with Northampton County and the Town of Cape Charles to secure the project for Virginia. Governor McAuliffe approved a $150,000 grant from the Governor’s Opportunity Fund to assist Northampton County and Cape Charles with the project. Through its Virginia Jobs Investment Program, the Virginia Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity will provide funding and services to support the company’s retrainingactivities, and the company is eligible for rail access funding from the Virginia Department of Rail and Public TransportationThe company also is eligible to participate in the Virginia Enterprise Zone Program, administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development.

            “Northampton County has many talented people seeking work,” said Larry LeMond, Chairman, Northampton County Board of Supervisors. “This expansion by Bayshore Concrete Products will provide valuable employment for our community. We appreciate the opportunity to partner with the Town of Cape Charles and the Commonwealth of Virginia to not only save a local industry, but to add jobs. This is tremendous.”
            “The Town of Cape Charles is happy to participate in this project by providing a significant amount of funding as a local match to the grant,” said Dora Sullivan, Mayor of Cape Charles. “The Town Council and I are pleased with this initiative to grow the local economy and we look forward to additional opportunities to develop businesses that would benefit from our deep water harbor on the Chesapeake Bay.”
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Governor McAuliffe Announces First Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund Planning Grants of Administration

McAuliffe speaking at Frying Pan Park in Hernd...
 (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 Administration Appointments

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 (Photo credit: USDAgov)
RICHMOND – Governor Terry McAuliffe announced additional appointments to his administration today. The appointees will join McAuliffe’s administration focused on finding common ground with members of both parties on issues that will grow Virginia’s economy and create more jobs across the Commonwealth.

Office of the Governor

Ian Ceraolo, Special Assistant for Constituent Services
Ian Ceraolo is a recent graduate from Florida State University, where he received Bachelor’s Degrees in Economics and Political Science.

Liza Purcell, Executive Assistant to the First Lady
Liza Purcell worked previously on the Hurricane Sandy Rebuilding Task Force in Washington, DC, the 2013 Presidential Inaugural Committee, and the 2012 Democratic National Convention Committee.  Liza graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2012.

Debbie Puzzo, Confidential Assistant to Governor
Debbie Puzzo has been appointed by Governor McAuliffe to serve as the Confidential Assistant to the Governor.  Prior to her appointment to the Administration, Debbie served as Executive Assistant to Virginia Commonwealth University President Michael Rao. She previously served as Council Liaison to former Richmond City Council President Kathy Graziano.  In addition, Debbie served over eleven years in various capacities within the Delaware General Assembly and graduated from Wesley College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Paralegal Studies.

Lincoln Saunders, Chief of Staff to the First Lady and Policy Advisor
Lincoln Saunders, a Northern Neck native, has been working in food security and farm policy in Indiana for the last two years after receiving his Master’s degree in Agriculture Policy Analysis at Indiana University. Saunders received his bachelor’s degree in Government from the College of William and Mary.

Kim Trainer Steinhoff, Confidential Assistant to the Chief of Staff and Deputy Chief of Staff
Kim Steinhoff has been re-appointed by Governor McAuliffe to serve as the Confidential Assistant to the Chief of Staff and Deputy Chief of Staff.  Prior to her appointment to the Administration, Kim worked for 16 years as an executive assistant serving five prior Attorney Generals.  Kim received her Associate’s Degree in Legal Secretarial Science from J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College.


Secretariat of Administration

Edgardo Cortes, Director of the State Board of Elections
Edgardo Cortes worked for the Virginia State Board of Elections updating the state’s Help America Vote Act State Plan and Voting System Certification program.  He is the former General Registrar of Fairfax County, responsible for administering elections in the largest county in Virginia.  Edgardo has served as the Grants Director and then Deputy Director for Policy for the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC).  He began working on voting issues as director of a national non-partisan voter registration program focused on Puerto Rican and Latino voters.Edgardo holds a Bachelor’s degree from Cornell University and a Master’s degree in political management from the George Washington University.


Secretariat of Health and Human Resources

M. Elaina Schramm, Confidential Assistant to the Secretary of Health and Human Resources
M. Elaina Schramm has been re-appointed by Governor McAuliffe as Confidential Assistant to the Secretary of Health and Human Resources.  Prior to working in this secretariat, Elaina worked with Secretary William Hazel at his orthopedic practice in Northern Virginia.


Secretariat of Transportation

Douglas Koelemay, Director of the Office of Transportation Public-Private Partnerships
Douglas Koelemay is a policy and public affairs professional with more than four decades of experience in business, government and non-profit sectors, most recently with Tysons-headquartered SAIC. He served six years on the Commonwealth Transportation Board as an appointee of then Governor Timothy M. Kaine. Koelemay authored “Financing the Future: Report of the Commission to Promote Investment in America’s Infrastructure,” a charge of the 1991 federal ISTEA legislation that championed innovative public-private infrastructure investment strategies.


Secretariat of the Commonwealth


James Hardy Dillard, Appointment to the Board of Education
James Dillard is a former House of Delegates member who represented the 41st district (Fairfax County) for a total of 32 years. He was appointed to the William & Mary Board of Visitors by Governor Mark Warner in 2005. Dillard was resource teacher and acting principal in the Fairfax county public school system for 21 years. He received his B.A. from William & Mary in history, and an M.A. in political science from American University.


Andrew Ko, Appointment to the Board of Education
Andrew Ko is a General Manager in Microsoft Corporation’s U.S. Education business. Prior to this role, he was director for National Solutions for Microsoft U.S. Public Sector. He is a veteran of the management consulting industry, including positions at Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Emerging Markets Group and KPMG Consulting. In 2009, he was appointed by Governor Timothy M. Kaine to the Virginia Asian Advisory Board which represents one of the fastest-growing groups in the Commonwealth. In addition, Andrew served on the board of the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association where he co-chaired the Veteran Retraining Initiative, which helps wounded soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan secure information technology jobs after leaving the military. Andrew earned his B.S. in Accounting from the University of Maryland in 1994 and was also a Certified Public Accountant.
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Governor McAuliffe Announces 155 New Jobs for Henry County

English: The state seal of Virginia. Српски / ...
English: The state seal of Virginia.. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
~Kilgour Industries Ltd to invest $27.3 million in first U.S. operation ~ 

RICHMOND - Governor Terry McAuliffe announced today that Kilgour Industries Ltd, a United Kingdom-based supplier of aircraft airframe and engine machined products will invest $27.3 million in its first U.S. operation in Henry County and create 155 new jobs. Kilgour specializes in computerized numerical control (CNC) machining, wet chemical surface treatments and sub-assemblies of aerospace components. Virginia successfully competed against Florida, Michigan, North Carolina and South Carolina for the project.

            Speaking about today’s announcement in Martinsville, Governor McAuliffe said, “Securing an investment of this magnitude and 155 new jobs for a region that is continuing to rebound economically is a tremendous win for Virginia and a major step towards growing and diversifying our economy. This competitive project is another illustration of the Commonwealth’s leadership in the aerospace industry. We are thrilled that Henry County will be home to Kilgour Industries’ first U.S. operation, which will enable the company to meet increased demands and expand its customer base.”

            “More than 236 aerospace firms call Virginia home, and today we celebrate the addition of Kilgour Industries to the roster,” said Maurice Jones, Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade. “This high-tech manufacturing company is an excellent fit for Henry County to continue to diversify its economy, and we look forward to Kilgour’s future success in the Commonwealth.”

            Kilgour Industries, a family-owned company established in 1966 in the United Kingdom, supplies aircraft airframe and engine machined products in aluminum, steel and titanium to the major aerospace original equipment manufacturers. Kilgour’s mission is to be the market leader in precision engineering and treatments for the aerospace industry.

            “On my initial visit to Martinsville-Henry County, I was pleasantly surprised by the manner in which business was conducted,” said Chief Executive Officer Ray Kilgour. “From the existing industry we met, the educational and training programs in the area, and the responsiveness of the economic development officials, we knew Martinsville-Henry County was a community that supports advanced manufacturing and a community in which we would be welcomed.”

            The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with the Martinsville-Henry County Economic Development Corporation and the Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing to secure the project for Virginia. Governor McAuliffe approved a $250,000 grant from the Governor’s Opportunity Fund to assist Henry County with the project.The Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission approved $1.15 million in Tobacco Region Opportunity Funds. The company is eligible to receive state benefits from the Virginia Enterprise Zone Program, administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. Additionally, through its Virginia Jobs Investment Program, the Virginia Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity will provide funding and services to support the company’s retraining activities.

            “This is a tremendous day for the citizens of Henry County and Martinsville,” said H.G. Vaughn, Chairman of the Henry County Board of Supervisors. “Today’s announcement with Kilgour allows us to expand our international presence, bring in a partner in a growing industry sector, and provide 21st Century job opportunities for our citizens. We are thrilled.”

            “The Virginia Tobacco Commission’s goal is to help bring jobs and prosperity to the Commission's footprint,” said Delegate Danny Marshall, a Commissioner of the Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission. “We are very excited to be a part of helping to bring Kilgour Industries to Henry County. The addition of 155 new high paying jobs and a $27.3 million investment is why the Tobacco Commission invested $1.15 million to help with this project. Thank you to the management of Kilgour Industries for choosing Henry County.” 
“The Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing is extremely pleased to welcome Kilgour Industries to Virginia, which is leading the way in the region’s technology research and development,” said Armand F. Lauzon, Jr., Chairman. “Kilgour will benefit from Virginia’s elected leadership and economic leaders, all of whom understand the needs of business today. The CCAM member companies, which operate in aerospace, defense, electronics, and many other industries, celebrate Kilgour as an important new member of Virginia’s business community.” 
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