Culpeper Times ~ Made in the Piedmont

Published in the Culpeper Times - Made in the Piedmont July 18, 2012 Edition

When was the last time that you opened a 2000 piece puzzle? How did you begin putting it together? Of course, you laid the pieces out and began searching for similar colors, patterns, and shapes. Most master puzzle makers frame the outside first since it is easy to see the straight patterns and corners. Filling in the rest takes much more time and focus to assemble.

As you can imagine our economic picture is a big puzzle as well. There are many parts to it. It would be difficult to put it together if all that you saw were a few pieces. Likewise, it would be difficult to put it together without laying all of the pieces out to begin the framework. In essence, filling in the pieces takes a broad awareness and yet focused talent.

As I facilitated discussion at the 2012 Virginia Leadership Summit, one of the prominent business leaders pointed out the importance of being able to market regions in Virginia. He was referring to the ability to collaborate among local jurisdictions to bring more visibility and opportunity by working together. Competition for opportunity and economic prosperity is fierce nationally and globally. Our strength in working together is essential.

I spoke with Helen Cauthen, President & CEO of the Thomas Jefferson Partnership for Economic Development recently about the role of TJPED in helping to put the pieces of the puzzle together in our region. The partnership’s geography is comprised of the cities, towns, and counties in the Planning District 9 (Culpeper and surrounding counties) and PD 10 (Charlottesville and surrounding counties). In addition to working with the public officials, the partnership includes both public and private partners, bringing education, business, and government together.

“As we approach our region, we work from an attitude of abundance” said Ms. Cauthen. “We have so many assets and opportunities; It is a matter of understanding priorities and then facilitating opportunity where it makes sense.” The regional picture is difficult to see from either the silo of a locality or the broader view at the state level. Thus, as astutely pointed out in the Summit, we need a regional partner to help put the pieces together.

As we find ourselves in the reaches of the global marketplace. It is important to have a regional coherence. It is significant to have a workforce population to draw from that is 333,396 strong. It is obvious that not everyone that lives in a jurisdiction works in that same jurisdiction, thus it is important to aggregate the larger picture for prospective companies to bring jobs to our area.

One of the latest examples of the importance of the TJPED role was their facilitation of a Target Markets Report conducted by Younger Associates. The report was funded in large part by local governments, who paid smaller portions of the total $150,000 study. The benefit, as a group we were able to fund the quality and breadth of analysis for both localities and the region. Now each economic development office throughout the region is aware of their relative strengths and opportunities, evidence of a coherent strategy and attitude of abundance.

In addition to working as our regional economic development engine, TJPED is the administrator and fiscal agent for the Piedmont Workforce Network. The PWN mission is “linking resources and meeting employment needs” for the region. TJPED also hosts the Central Virginia Small Business Development Center. This center is much like the center that the Culpeper Department of Economic Development helps to support for the Culpeper area.

When it comes to the economic puzzle, TJPED is a critical part in developing economic opportunity in our region. The target markets report helped to frame the puzzle. Our localities now have the information, resources, and support to fill in their individual pieces with the strength of a regional catalyst, TJPED. Go to www.TJPED.com for more information.

Jim Charapich, President/CEO

Culpeper Chamber of Commerce

Culpeper Chamber very active and growing

Published in the Culpeper Star Exponent Monday, July 16, 2012

The Culpeper Chamber is now almost 550 members strong. Our members are very active and engaged in what we do. The Chamber office is often the face of the Chamber as we are the staff facilitating the requests and direction that the members want to go. However, as a member driven organization we are in a constant state of evaluation and improvement. In fact, there are many ships at sail under what may appear to be one large ship.

The Leadshare groups have been very busy this year as they are growing both in numbers individually as well as increasing the meeting times. I am really impressed with the benefits of the leadshare program. The obvious benefit is the exchange of business referrals. However, for a small business or a home based business there is not a better place to keep professional communication skills sharp and ready for the next opportunity.

The Young Professionals are active and growing. There are a number of signature activities that they have developed and grown throughout the year. The group will have a table at BIE Day reaching out to the young educators to join them. They will also host the Crab Feast on September 8th at Verdun Adventure Bound. It is as fun as it sounds… look for more info on the Chamber website.

The Pepper Open has an interesting problem this year. We are looking into adding an additional day of play due to the high interest in participation. Perhaps it has something to do with the new clubhouse and new golf carts at the Country Club of Culpeper. Or it could be the gift that we include in the player fees, the very sought after Dri-Fit golf shirt with the stylish Chamber logo on one sleeve, and the Nike Swoosh on the other. Yes, very cool – thank you Cintas…

We are working on the Annual Banquet held on November 8th. We look forward to awarding members and local business for their outstanding achievements in different categories. We have not released the name of our keynote speaker – we are working on a few amazing prospects. Stay tuned to the Chamber website for more exciting information.

There are several other projects that we are working on for the Fall. Planning has begun on several projects for 2013. The ships are always sailing forward and the seas are always exciting. Jump on board and join us at www.CulpeperChamber.com 

Jim Charapich, President/CEO
Culpeper Chamber of Commerce

Summer Fun in Culpeper

Published in the Culpeper Star Exponent Monday, July 9, 2012
Summer fun, and right here in your own back yard? We are all ambassadors for Culpeper in one way or another. The Chamber of Commerce staff sees firsthand the influence that you have on the world. We hear so often that visitors are here because they heard about our community from a friend or a relative and wanted to see what all of the buzz was about.

Our local economy relies partially on the visitors that come to Culpeper every day. They come for different experiences, world renowned restaurants, sophisticated shopping, antiquing, history, outdoors activities, or soon the State Theatre, to name a few. We are fortunate to hear it all at the Visitor Center. We are sometimes referred to as 411 Culpeper, because we get some of the most interesting questions…. LoL.

As much as we think that we have finally cornered all of the information that we need about our community, we are undoubtedly surprised by a new question. Thus, we pay close attention to the calendar of events on the Culpeper Tourism website www.VisitCulpeperVa.com for many of the Tourism related events. In addition, we maintain one of the longest standing online calendars in Culpeper at the Culpeper Chamber website www.CulpeperChamber.com. Listings on the Chamber calendar are free and easy to submit, however, we double check them for content before they are published. We also pay close attention to the Culpeper Star Exponent calendar of events. Among the three calendars, and a few others from time to time, we have most of what is going on in this busy community covered…

Whew… as I said, this is a constant effort but worth being able to give the information to the visitors about our community. In addition to visitors, we also answer many questions by those that live, work, and play in Culpeper. There is a great deal of satisfaction in offering friendly hospitality to locals and visitors alike.

Now, back to “Ambassadors.” We are all ambassadors, and in order to play this role well, you will need to do one very important activity. Yes, I am going to challenge you… Your first step is to come to the Visitor Center at the Depot. We have a wealth of information about what you can do in Culpeper.  Now here is The Challenge: In July, as you are thinking of vacation….take time to plan and experience a “Stay-cation” in Culpeper.

Take advantage of something new to you. Have you been to the Library of Congress for a movie? It is easy and it is free (and cool). You will want to tell 10 friends about it… now that is “Kool” because that is great for our economy. Have you been to the Cedar Mountain Battlefield? Try a walking tour with Virginia Morton sometime. It will change your view of Davis Street in Culpeper. Yes, they are connected in a big way…. See what I mean… Summer Fun right here in Culpeper. What will your next adventure be? See you a the Depot!!