-Southern Business & Development Magazine recognizes Governor and Seven Virginia organizations in its annual Top Ten lists--Newly formed Southern Virginia Regional Alliance recognized as one of Top Ten Notable Collective Economic Development Efforts in the South-
RICHMOND – Governor Bob McDonnell and seven Virginia organizations were recently recognized by Southern Business & Development Magazine in its annual Top Ten in the South lists. , Governor McDonnell was recognized in the category of: “Ten People Who Made A Difference” in the South. A full listing of awarded Virginia organizations and their categories are outlined below.
Speaking about the ranking, Governor McDonnell noted, “The only ranking that matters to me is ensuring that Virginia remains the best place in the world for business. The more we can do in Richmond to promote economic development and job creation, the more Virginians who will be able to find the good paying jobs they need in their counties and cities. From our local economic development officials, to the great team at the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, to the work of Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling, Secretary of Commerce and Trade Jim Cheng and Senior Economic Advisor Bob Sledd, we are fortunate to have so many talented and committed individuals working so diligently to bring new job-creating businesses here, and help existing businesses expand and grow. Government doesn’t create jobs; the private sector does. Our aim is to create the kind of policy climate that is most conducive to job creation. We are not going to stop until every Virginian can gain access to the basic opportunity of a rewarding job.”
Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling, Virginia’s Chief Jobs Creation Officer, added, “I congratulate Governor McDonnell for receiving this terrific recognition of his leadership and commitment to creating jobs and economic opportunity for all Virginians. Having seven Virginia organizations recognized among the Top Ten in the South validates our approach and highlights our success. I am especially proud of the Southern Virginia Regional Alliance. One year ago there was no regional economic development organization in Southern Virginia. However, through the joint efforts of the Administration, Tobacco Commission and participating localities, the Southern Virginia Alliance is off to a strong start, as this recognition as one of the top collaborative economic development organizations in the South reflects. We hope to replicate this success in other regions of Virginia.”
In their recognition of Governor McDonnell, Southern Business & Development Magazine wrote:
“Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell, a Republican from Northern Virginia, won 59% of the vote and was sworn in as Governor of Virginia on January 16, 2010. He received more votes than any governor in Virginia history. When it comes to economic development, it looks like those voters knew what they were doing. McDonnell already is being compared with former Gov. George Allen, whose term in the 1990s brought Virginia its best economic development years in state history.
The first executive order by Gov. McDonnell once in office was to establish the Chief Job Creation Officer and the Governor's Economic Development and Job Creation Commission. McDonnell has made job creation a priority since he took office a little more than a year ago. In his inaugural address, the Virginia Governor said, "the creation of new job opportunities for all our citizens is the obligation or our time."
The following is a full list of the Virginia organizations and their category included in Southern Business & Development’s Top Ten list:
Ten People Who Made A Difference – Governor Bob McDonnell LINK: http://www.sb-d.com/Features/Winter2011/TenPeopleWhoMadeaDifference/tabid/416/Default.aspx
Ten Notable Collective Economic Development Efforts in the South LINK: http://www.sb-d.com/Features/Winter2011/TenNotableCollective/tabid/417/Default.aspx
•Southern Virginia Regional Alliance •Mid-Atlantic Broadband Cooperative •Hampton Roads Economic Development Authority
The Ten Best Automotive Assembly Plant Sites in the Southern Auto Corridor LINK: http://www.sb-d.com/Features/Winter2011/TenBestAutomotive/tabid/418/Default.aspx
•Mid-Atlantic Advanced Manufacturing Center - Emporia, VA
The Ten Best Data Center Sites in the South LINK: http://www.sb-d.com/Features/Winter2011/TenBestDataCenters/tabid/422/Default.aspx
•Scott County Regional Business and Technology Park – Duffield, VA •QTS – Richmond, VA •GigaParks – Various locations in Southern Virginia
Established in 1992, Southern Business & Development Magazine is the only print and online source covering and promoting economic development in the South. The magazine reports on economic development opportunities in the South but is designed to be read by executives and other decision makers from outside the region. The magazine publishes an annual Top Ten list of different economic development classifications.