Chamber focused on jobs in area

Published in the Culpeper Star Exponent on November 8, 2010

The Agenda for the Culpeper Chamber of Commerce will continue to move forward in November and December. We are focused on jobs and the 2011 Legislative Agenda in Richmond. In order to do this we have set dates for 2 key events. The first event is a visit from Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling.

The Lieutenant Governor has been named as the Chief Jobs Creation Officer in the McDonnell Administration. In order to bring this message to our area, the Regional Chambers of Commerce including Orange, Madison, Fauquier, and Culpeper will jointly host the Lieutenant Governor to speak about jobs and job creation in Virginia.

According to a recent update from the Lieutenant Governor’s office, the Governor's Commission on Economic Development and Job Creation released interim recommendations to support job creation in Virginia. Some of the suggestions were as follows: Establish an Emerging Technology Fund, Develop a Tourism Development Grant Program, Transform Academic Institutions into Economic Engines, Do More to Support Small Business Growth, Train Workers for Virginia Businesses, Improve the Coordination, Efficiency and Responsiveness of Government, and Develop More Effective Business Recruitment.

Join us at the Germanna’s Daniel Technology Center in Culpeper on Friday November 19th for a luncheon to hear more. The link for registration is found on the Culpeper Chamber website at CulpeperChamber.com click here to REGISTER NOW. Dr. Jeanne Wesley Vice President for Workforce Development and Community Relations at Germanna Community College will offer a welcome to the Germanna Daniel Technology Center. Delegate Ed Scott will also be on hand to introduce the Lieutenant Governor and add a few comments about our local economy.

Our next event is the Culpeper Chamber of Commerce Annual Legislative Breakfast held at the Country Club of Culpeper. We offer local businesses and organizations the opportunity to address our state representatives regarding important issues for consideration as they plan their agenda for the General Assembly which convenes on January 12th 2011. We are fortunate to have excellent leadership in Richmond. REGISTER NOW According to his website, Senator Edd Houck was elected to the Virginia State Senate in 1983. Senator Houck currently serves on the Finance, Education and Health, Transportation, Rules, and the General Laws and Technology committees. Beginning in the 2008 General Assembly Session, he became Chairman of the Senate Education and Health Committee and the Senate Finance Committee's Health and Human Resources Subcommittee. As the son of a small businessman, Edd Houck was raised to appreciate the values of hard work and diligence.

In addition, according to his website, Delegate Ed Scott serves on the Agriculture, Chesapeake, and Natural Resources, General Laws, Transportation, and Science and Technology Committees. In the 2008 session, Delegate Scott was appointed to serve as chairman of the Transportation Subcommittee dealing with DMV, titling, registration, and insurance issues. Delegate Scott is known for bringing a business perspective to his work as our Delegate. He understands the budgets of small businesses and the consequences of government regulation.

Join us for the 2010 Legislative Conference & Breakfast Thursday, December 2, at 8 AM, presentations begin at 8:30 AM. Go to CulpeperChamber.com for details and registration.

Your Chamber – Your Business – Our Future - Join Us.

Jim Charapich is the President/CEO of the Culpeper Chamber of Commerce. Charapich can be reached at jcharapich@culpepervachamber.com