Wednesday, November 19, 2014

First Lady Dorothy McAuliffe Unveils New Ornament at the Executive Mansion

RICHMOND, VA – First Lady Dorothy McAuliffe, along with leaders of the Virginia Capitol Foundation, unveiled this year’s Official Capitol Square Ornament at the Executive Mansion. 

The third ornament in the series features Virginia’s Executive Mansion.  The Official Capitol Square ornament program, established in 2012, celebrates the landmarks of Capitol Square and raises funds to support their preservation and interpretation.  The first two ornaments, from 2012 and 2013, feature the Virginia State Capitol and the Bell Tower, respectively. Proceeds from the ornaments, priced at $23.50 each, benefit the Virginia Capitol Foundation, the nonprofit organization supporting the Capitol, Capitol Square, and Executive Mansion.

All three ornaments are available for sale online at VirginiaCapitol.gov, by phone at (804) 786-1010, and in the Capitol.  The Executive Mansion ornament, along with the Capitol and Bell Tower ornaments, will also be sold at the Museum Stores of Richmond Holiday Shoppers Fair at the Library of Virginia Friday, November 7; 9:30 a.m. - 8:30 p.m., & Saturday, November 8, 2014; 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. in the Virginia Historical Society booth.

The Executive Mansion was chosen as the subject of the third ornament in the series because of the importance of the building and its prominence on Capitol Square.  The Virginia Executive Mansion has served as home, office, and center of official entertaining for governors and their families since 1813.  Located on Capitol Square, the Mansion is the oldest governor’s residence in the 50 states still serving its original purpose.  The Mansion is both a Virginia Landmark and a National Historic Landmark.

“It is wonderful that the Virginia Capitol Foundation has chosen to feature the Executive Mansion for this year’s holiday ornament,” said First Lady Dorothy McAuliffe. “This beautiful, historic home is a treasure for all of Virginia.”

Alexander Parris designed the Mansion in the Federal style, an architectural style influenced by English architecture but uniquely American.  The front rooms on the first floor retain their original woodwork, plaster cornices, and ornamental ceiling detail.  An extensive renovation in 1906 by architect Duncan Lee added a large oval dining room.  In 2002, a major restoration of the Mansion was completed under the supervision of Roxanne Gilmore, wife of Governor James Gilmore, which returned historic interiors to their original Federal style. 

Several garden spaces surround the Mansion, the most prominent of which is the Gillette Garden, designed in 1954 by noted Richmond landscape architect Charles Gillette.  The Garden Club of Virginia restored the Gillette Garden in 1999, utilizing archival information including Gillette’s own plans and records. 

To the south of the Mansion stand several outbuildings, including a two-story structure housing the original 19th century kitchen and slave quarters.  Plans are underway to recreate and interpret the 19th century kitchen to share the stories of the individuals who worked there, including enslaved persons. 

Distinguished visitors to the Mansion include Sir Winston Churchill, President Theodore Roosevelt, Charles Lindbergh, Margaret Thatcher, Sidney Poitier, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Queen Elizabeth II, and Steven Spielberg, just to name a few.

The Virginia Capitol Foundation is the nonprofit advocate for the Capitol, Capitol Square, and Executive Mansion. It enhances the educational, cultural, and economic potential of Capitol Square’s historic treasures through program development, community engagement, and fundraising.

The Virginia Capitol Foundation Board of Trustees:  Officers – Ric A. Arenstein, Chairman;
Wendy Church Sydnor, Vice Chairman; The Honorable Susan Clarke Schaar, Secretary; Diana J. Beran, Treasurer.  Trustees: The Honorable Sandra D. Bowen, Susan Allen, Samuel W. Daniel, Janet T. Geldzahler, Adrienne G. Hines, Joseph W. Montgomery, The Honorable Brian Moran, The Honorable G. Paul Nardo, Anita O. Poston, The Honorable Nancy Rodrigues, S. Buford Scott, Charles H. Seilheimer, Jr., The Honorable John Charles Thomas

For information about the Virginia Capitol Foundation and the Virginia State Capitol including visitor services, go to www.VirginiaCapitol.gov. 

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Location:Gloucester, VA Gloucester Courthouse, VA 23061, USA

FEINSTEINS WIN U.S.P.S. SALES. Conflict of Interest In Capital Hill Costing Us All?

Dianne Feinstein, member of the United States ...
Dianne Feinstein, member of the United States Senate. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The US has entered into a contract with a real estate firm to sell 56 buildings that currently house U.S. Post Offices.

The government has decided it no longer needs these buildings, most of which are located on prime land in towns and cities across the country.

The sale of these properties will fetch about $19 billion!

A regular real estate commission will be paid to the company that was given the exclusive listing for handling the sales. That company is CRI and it belongs to a man named Richard Blum.

Richard Blum is the husband of Senator Dianne Feinstein!

(Most voters and many of the government people who approved the deal have not made the connection between the two because they have different last names).

Senator Feinstein and her husband stand to make a fortune, estimated at between $950 million and $1.1 billion!! from these transactions.

His company is the sole real estate agent on the sale!

CRI will be making a minimum of 2% and as much as 6% commission on each and every sale. All of the properties that are being sold are all fully paid for. They were purchased with U.S. taxpayers dollars.

The U.S.P.S. is allowed free and clear, tax exempt use. The only cost to keep them open is the cost to actually keep the doors open and the heat and lights on. The United States Postal Service doesn't even have to pay county property taxes on these subject properties. QUESTION? Would you put your house in foreclosure just because you couldn't afford to pay the electric bill?

Well, the folks in Washington have given the Post Office the OK to do it! Worse yet, most of the net proceeds of the sales will go back to the U.S.P.S, an organization that is so poorly managed that they have lost $117 billion dollars in the past 10 years!

No one in the mainstream media is even raising an eyebrow over the conflict of interest and on the possibility of corruption on the sale of billions of dollars worth of public assets.

How does a U.S. Senator from San Francisco manage to get away with organizing and lobbying such a sweet deal? Has our government become so elitist that they have no fear of oversight?

It's no mere coincidence that these two public service crooks have different last names; a feeble attempt at avoiding transparency in these type of transactions.



(Destroying America as fast as possibly can be done.  Enemies of "We The People"!)

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Governor McAuliffe Announces 93 New Jobs in Montgomery County

~ Wolverine Advanced Materials to invest $10.6 million to expand operation~

RICHMOND - Governor Terry McAuliffe announced that Wolverine Advanced Materials (Wolverine) will invest $10.625 million to expand its specialty rubber coated materials manufacturing operation in Montgomery County. The company produces high-performance materials used in automotive and industrial noise reduction for brake and sealing applications. Virginia successfully competed against China, Florida and Illinois for the project, which will create 93 new jobs.

Speaking about the announcement, Governor McAuliffe said, “I am thrilled to announce Wolverine’s significant investment in Montgomery County today.  The company will add manufacturing capacity to reach its key growth markets in China and India, using the Port of Virginia as a gateway for its exports.  Increasing export volumes and creating advanced manufacturing jobs are key components of building a new Virginia economy. This project will benefit not only Montgomery County, but the Port and the Commonwealth as a whole.”

“Montgomery County has been home to Wolverine Advanced Materials’ Virginia facilities for 40 years,” said Maurice Jones, Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade. “In the face of global competition, the company’s choice to grow its manufacturing operations in the Commonwealth speaks volumes about the benefits of our business environment, workforce and global access to markets.” 

Wolverine Advanced Materials is a leading developer, manufacturer and supplier to global friction and OEM manufacturers such as Daimler, BMW, GM, Chrysler, Ford and other high-quality clients that demand high-performance materials. The company’s core competency is in performance-critical, specialty elastomer-coated metals that offer damping and seal-ability solutions in the Automotive Brake, NVH, and Sealing industries. Extensive industry knowledge and innovative materials have made Wolverine a desired and trusted global supplier for over 80 years. Wolverine has offices in Virginia, Florida, Michigan, Germany, Japan, China, Brazil, and India. Principally owned by Wynnchurch Capital Partners, Wolverine employs approximately 600 people worldwide, with global headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan. 

“With our rich company history in Virginia, Wolverine is excited about expanding our manufacturing operations in Montgomery County,” said Grant Beard, Chairman, CEO, and President of Wolverine. “This investment will help Wolverine grow its global business while simultaneously benefiting Montgomery County through our expanded workforce.”

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Montgomery County and the New River Valley Economic Development Alliance to secure the project for Virginia. Governor McAuliffe approved a $250,000 grant from the Governor’s Opportunity Fund to assist Montgomery County with the project. The company will receive benefits from the Port of Virginia Economic and Infrastructure Development Grant Program. Funding and services to support the company’s employee training activities will be provided through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program.

“This is a banner day for the Town of Blacksburg,” said Mayor Ron Rordam. “For many years Wolverine has been a powerhouse manufacturer of automotive goods in our community and a provider of quality jobs. We’re excited about the prospect of 93 new positions that will benefit the workforce in Blacksburg and the greater New River Valley and congratulate Wolverine on this tremendous investment in business expansion.”

“We congratulate Wolverine on its decision to expand in Montgomery County where the company has had operations since 1974,” said Montgomery County Board of Supervisors Chair Bill Brown. “The addition of advanced manufacturing positions with an average salary above Montgomery County’s prevailing wages is great news for our local economy.”

“Auto parts continue to be a top commodity moving through The Port of Virginia and the health of the port and auto industry is important to the economic well-being of the nation and the Commonwealth because of jobs,” said John F. Reinhart, CEO and Executive Director of the Virginia Port Authority. “The recent growth in the automotive sector proves that this industry has an excellent business partner in Virginia and this port. We are proud to be Wolverine’s gateway to international trade as the company increases exports while creating new jobs and economic investment in Montgomery County.”

(We continue to give away your hard earned tax dollars in a corporate welfare program just like this because we can and it's fun!)

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Governor McAuliffe Announces 225 New Jobs in Henrico County

~ McKesson Medical-Surgical to invest more than $10 million to expand divisional headquarters operation~

RICHMOND - Governor Terry McAuliffe announced that McKesson Medical-Surgical, Inc., an affiliate of McKesson Corporation, a leading healthcare services and information technology company, will invest more than $10 million in capital expense to expand its divisional headquarters operation in Henrico County, creating 225 new jobs. The company will relocate its headquarters facility to 168,500 square feet of the Deep Run III building, which was recently purchased and renovated by Markel|Eagle Partners.

Speaking about the announcement, Governor McAuliffe said, “McKesson Corporation’s expansion is great news for the people of Henrico County and our Commonwealth as a whole as we work to grow and diversify Virginia’s economy. Henrico County has been home to the company’s Medical-Surgical business unit for many years, and McKesson Medical-Surgical is an important employer, paying highly competitive salaries to nearly 600 staff in the region. Virginia’s high quality workforce and world class business environment played a key role in helping McKesson expand, and we are going to continue to leverage those outstanding assets to bring more companies like them here to the Commonwealth.”

“The success and growth of Virginia’s existing businesses are key to sustainable economic vitality in the Commonwealth,” said Maurice Jones, Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade.“Virginia values its partnership with McKesson Corporation, and McKesson Medical-Surgical has been a significant corporate citizen in Henrico County since 1998. We are proud that the company continues to excel in the marketplace, and celebrate this expansion of its divisional headquarters that brings new jobs and capital investment.”

McKesson Medical-Surgical Inc., headquartered in Henrico County, is an affiliate of the McKesson Corporation. McKesson Corporation, currently ranked 15th on the FORTUNE 500, is a healthcare services and information technology company dedicated to making the business of healthcare run better. McKesson works with payers, hospitals, physicians’ offices, pharmacies, pharmaceutical companies and others across the spectrum of care to build healthier organizations that deliver better care to patients in every setting. McKesson Medical-Surgical helps its customers improve their financial, operational, and clinical performance with solutions that include pharmaceutical and medical-surgical supply management, healthcare information technology, and business and clinical services.

“This new, state-of-the-art headquarters will create a collaborative workspace that helps us attract and retain the top talent we need to grow our business and better serve our customers as we work to improve healthcare in the U.S.,” said Stanton McComb, president, McKesson Medical-Surgical. “McKesson Medical-Surgical is proud to be a Top-50 employer in Richmond and I look forward to McKesson’s continued investment in Virginia.”

Since acquiring the property in 2011, Markel|Eagle Partners has completed a multi-million dollar renovation that transformed Deep Run III into one of the premier suburban office buildings in the market.

“McKesson Medical-Surgical’s selection of Deep Run III as the home of their divisional headquarters operation is a great win for all involved,” said J.B. Gurley, a principal with Markel|Eagle. “We have worked very hard to reposition Deep Run III so when we were selected by such a fine company it was a great day for our firm.”

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with the Henrico County Economic Development Authority and the Greater Richmond Partnership to secure the project for Virginia.Governor McAuliffe approved a $500,000 grant from the Governor’s Opportunity Fund to assist Henrico County with the project. Funding and services to support the company’s employee training activities will be provided through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program.

“McKesson’s Medical-Surgical Division has been one of Henrico County’s major employers for as long as I can remember,” said Henrico Board of Supervisors Chairman Patricia S. O’Bannon. “We are pleased with their decision to lease 168,500 square feet of office space in the Deep Run III Building as their new corporate headquarters, and are particularly excited about their plans to add 225 new jobs there over the next few years.” O’Bannon added, “Winning a project of this magnitude takes a team approach, and we appreciate the efforts of the VEDP, the Greater Richmond Partnership, and our local team of the EDA and administration.”

(Giving away your hard earned tax dollars to corporations like this because we can!)

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Location:Gloucester, VA Gloucester Courthouse, VA 23061, USA

Governor McAuliffe Announces $300,000 Local Innovation Grant

~ Funding to assist regional collaborative effort with small business development programs ~ 

RICHMOND – Governor Terry McAuliffe announced $300,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Local Innovation funding through Mecklenburg County for the Virginia’s Growth Alliance, which is a regional collaboration made up of 10 counties and one city in the Southern Virginia region. The grant will be used to develop several new programs for youth, new businesses and established businesses throughout the region to spur small business development and create jobs.
“Helping the Commonwealth’s existing and future business owners find ways to succeed is an important piece of building a new Virginia economy,” said Governor McAuliffe. “Programs like the Community Development Block Grant invest in the success of our communities and encourage business growth throughout Southern Virginia.”

This project will offer several different educational, mentoring and monetary programs including a pilot youth educational program involving both online and classroom education, a six-week “digital high touch” course for new entrepreneurs, a startup principles program for existing businesses, a microenterprise lending program funding business start-up or expansion, and a Peer2Peer XChange mentoring program to help develop network for new business owners.

The Virginia Growth Alliance is comprised of Mecklenburg County, Amelia County, Brunswick County, Buckingham County, Charlotte County, Cumberland County, Greensville County, Lunenburg County, Nottoway County, Prince Edward County and the City of Emporia.

“Entrepreneurial development is an indispensable component of economic growth and community development,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Maurice Jones. “We look forward to seeing the creativity and release of the entrepreneurial spirit throughout this region, and we hope this is a launch pad for these communities and businesses.”
Since 1982, the federally-funded CDBG program has been administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), and Virginia receives up to $17 million annually for this program. The CDBG program is a flexible tool for community improvement in Virginia and can address a wide range of needs, from infrastructure for new or expanding industries, new or improved water and sewer systems in rural areas, rehabilitation of housing in declining neighborhoods, revitalization of commercial districts, support to small businesses and support of facilities for a variety of needed critical community services.  Only eligible units of local government may apply for funding.
2014 CDBG Local Innovation Program:
Locality
Project Name
CDBG Award
Mecklenburg County

Project area to also include:
Amelia County, Brunswick County, Buckingham County, Charlotte County, Cumberland County, Greensville County, Lunenburg County, Nottoway County, Prince Edward County and the City of Emporia
VGA Small Business/Microenterprise Assistance Program
$300,000


(Giving millions to corporations and pennies to small business start ups that mean nothing to them.  But hey, at least it makes for great PR!)

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Location:Gloucester, VA Gloucester Courthouse, VA 23061, USA

Governor McAuliffe Announces 349 New Jobs in Appomattox County

~Lindenburg Industry, LLC to invest $113 million in first U.S. manufacturing operation~
Project result of Governor’s meeting with company officials in Beijing, China during Asia Marketing Mission

RICHMOND – Governor Terry McAuliffe announced that Lindenburg Industry, LLC, a subsidiary of a Chinese-owned corporation, will invest $113 million to establish an industrial honeycomb manufacturing operation in the Town of Appomattox in Appomattox County. This project, which represents the first new company announcement in Appomattox in 15 years and the largest since Thomasville Furniture began construction in 1972, is a direct result of the Governor’s meeting with company officials in Beijing, China during his Asia Marketing Mission last month.Virginia successfully competed against North Carolina for the project, which will create 349 new jobs.

Speaking about the announcement, Governor McAuliffe said, “An investment and project of this significance is transformational for Appomattox, and the Commonwealth is honored to add another international company to its roster. I had the great privilege of meeting with company officials in Beijing, China and close this significant win during my Asia marketing mission and I am thrilled that Lindenburg Industry is establishing their first U.S. manufacturing operation in Virginia. This project will revitalize a vacant facility, allowing quick start-up to production, and put approximately 350 people back to work in highly skilled manufacturing positions. These jobs are the stepping stones to building a new Virginia economy that will enable us to compete on a global scale, and the economic benefits that this project will bring to Appomattox and to the Commonwealth are tremendous.”

“We welcome Lindenburg Industry to Appomattox and to Virginia, and thank the company for this transformative investment and the creation of hundreds of new jobs,” said Maurice Jones, Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade. “This project is a great example of Virginia’s international connectivity as we continue to enhance our strong business relationship with China, and we look forward to Lindenburg Industry benefitting from the Commonwealth’s outstanding business climate, world class workforce and access to global markets through our port system.”
           
Lindenburg’s parent company is one of the world-leading investment holdings companies in China that is focused on energy, energy conservation and environmental protection related technologies. Being a publicly-traded company in Hong Kong (Listing code: HK. 901), EagleRide Investment Holdings Ltd. adheres to the corporate philosophy of being “positive, sagacious, enterprising and innovative.” Faced with a myriad of investment opportunities available around the world, EagleRide’s investment in the United States was in part encouraged by benchmark indexes reaching all-time highs in 2013 and the fact that America is home to some of the most exceptional infrastructures in the world. For these reasons, EagleRide Investment Holdings Ltd. has appointed various technical advisors in the U.S. to help in identifying investment prospects in energy, and environmental protection sectors.

“The U.S is characterized by low political risk, as well as an advanced level of legal protections for doing business and making investments,” says Stella Li, CEO of Lindenburg Industry, LLC and Chief Technology Officer of EagleRide Investment Holdings Ltd. “After an extensive search by our site location consultants at Development Advisors, LLC, we found the right location for our initial U.S. manufacturing operations in Appomattox, Virginia. This location provides us with an excellent business environment and the workforce talent we require to be successful. We are greatly appreciative of the support that the Town of Appomattox, Appomattox County, the State of Virginia, and Dominion Virginia Power have provided in making this project come to fruition. We also want to thank the North America Chinese Chamber of Commerce for their part in assisting with our integration into the North American economy on this particular project.”

Lindenburg will be manufacturing industrial environmental control components used in clean air emissions. The introduction of progressive environmental legislation around the world is a key driver of Lindenburg’s business activities. The environmental management system is the cornerstone of the company’s effort to make responsible use of natural resources and systematically reduce its wastewater, solid waste streams, and atmospheric emissions.

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with the Town of Appomattox and Appomattox County to secure the project for Virginia. Dominion Virginia Power also provided support. Governor McAuliffe approved a $1.4 million grant from the Governor’s Opportunity Fund to assist Appomattox with the project. The Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission approved $1.17 million in Tobacco Region Opportunity Funds. The company will receive benefits from the Port of Virginia Economic and Infrastructure Development Grant Program. Additional funding and services to support the company’s employee training activities will be provided through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program.

“Words cannot express the excitement and anticipation I have regarding the announcement that Lindenburg Industry is locating in the Town of Appomattox," said Appomattox Mayor Paul Harvey. "This has truly been a team effort by all of the parties involved, from the Governor's office to the local level.  The location of Lindenburg Industry in the Town of Appomattox will produce a huge economic boost, not only in the number of quality jobs being made available, but also to the local businesses and their ability to provide various support services. As Mayor of the Town of Appomattox, it is a privilege to welcome a company of the caliber of Lindenburg Industry to the Appomattox community."

“On behalf of Appomattox County and its citizens, I’d like to welcome Lindenburg Industry to our community,” said Ronnie Spiggle, Chairman of the Appomattox County Board of Supervisors. “This is a great day for Appomattox County. This will help our local economy, local businesses and will be a boost for our citizens by creating jobs for our people and to help them achieve the American dream. Appomattox is known for its history. I am delighted that Lindenburg Industry has chosen Appomattox to make some new history.”

“The Tobacco Commission is excited to welcome Lindenburg Industry to Appomattox County,”said Senator Frank Ruff, Vice Chairman of the Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission. “Having an available building was a major asset in attracting Lindenburg Industry.  The Commission awarded a significant TROF incentive for the company’s commitment to create 349 new jobs in Virginia’s tobacco region.”

“The Port of Virginia is happy to welcome another new company that is going to bring jobs and revenue to our state,” said John F. Reinhart, CEO and executive director of the Virginia Port Authority. “We look forward to establishing a strong relationship with Lindenburg Industry, LLC, as the company exports its finished product to China using the port. We are pleased that the competitive services to Asia, via The Port of Virginia, and the incentives offered by the port were factors in this company’s decision to locate its first US facility in Virginia.”

“Virginia continues to innovate and provide a fertile environment for attracting jobs and investment,”said Robert M. Blue, President of Dominion Virginia Power. “Reliable, low-cost energy is critical to the manufacturing renaissance in the United States and Dominion Virginia Power is pleased to be a partner in the equation.”

(Selling out Virginia and America for fun and profit.  Please ignore the other jobs lost and small businesses that are going out of business because they can no longer compete.)

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