Virginia Economic Summit This Week

Posted: Monday, November 26, 2012 12:00 am | Updated: 2:40 am, Mon Nov 26, 2012.

Business Monday: Jim Charapich

The Virginia Chamber of Commerce will kick-off Blueprint Virginia: A New Strategic Plan for Virginia this Thursday as a part of the 2012 Virginia Economic Summit. The Summit “Preparing for a Brighter Future” is the 3^rd Annual Summit by the Virginia Chamber and will be held at the Williamsburg Lodge and Conference Center.

The conference speakers include Senator Mark Warner, Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour (2004-2011), Dr. Larry Sabato – UVA Center for Politics, and Mark Vitter – Senior Economist, Wells Fargo. The Virginia Chamber has assembled an excellent bipartisan set of thought leaders to inspire solutions toward progress across the Commonwealth.

The “Blueprint” is a strategic process to create a long term plan for Virginia. There are several areas of focus in the blueprint. 1) Developing the transportation infrastructure for a competitive economy. 2) Increasing educational achievement and workforce readiness. 3) Fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. 4) Strengthening and expanding Virginia’s business climate. 5) Promoting regional cooperation. 6) Ensuring energy security. 7) Delivering quality, cost-effective healthcare.

Collaboration with local Chambers of Commerce in developing the plan along with business associations, business and industry leaders, and business organizations across the Commonwealth is significant. Local Chambers offer access to the pulse of Virginia’s business climate. Virginia’s strong network of local Chambers has been actively working together for 25 years and in partnership with the Virginia Chamber. Chambers of Commerce offer a unique voice in supporting progress as a result of their broad composite business membership from local communities.

In order to preserve Virginia’s recognition for being among the best states to do business, it is essential that we remain focused on the priorities that will set the table for future prosperity. As we face the potential “Fiscal Cliff” with looming Sequestration, supporting the efforts of the Virginia Chamber and local Chambers has never been more important. The safety net that provides our quality of life, government services and leveraged non-profit services, is largely dependent on a vibrant economy.

For more information about the Virginia Chamber of Commerce 3^rd Annual Economic Summit and the Blueprint for Virginia go to www.VAChamber.com. Join the Culpeper Chamber of Commerce in supporting the efforts to “Prepare for a Brighter Future”.