Economic Vitality for the Commonwealth

Culpeper Star Exponent

Business Monday

Jim Charapich

November 25, 2013

The Virginia Chamber delivered Blueprint Virginia to Governor Elect McAuliff on Wednesday November 20th, 2013 in Williamsburg at the Annual Virginia Chamber Economic Summit. The “Business Plan for the Commonwealth” initiative was announced in late 2012 as a top priority during 2013 for the Virginia Chamber under the leadership of Barry DuVal, President & CEO of the Virginia Chamber. The program was a bold move to provide an economic development plan that could be presented to the newly elected Governor. The plan is also intended to serve as a vehicle to bridge administrations of future Governors in order to preserve and sustain progress for the economic vitality of the Commonwealth.

The program consumed the efforts of the statewide business community during 2013. The executive summary shows that there were 45 regional Blueprint events across the Commonwealth. The meetings strategically engaged Chambers of Commerce, leadership programs, and business trade associations from South Hill to Arlington and from Hampton Roads to Culpeper. The comprehensive and inclusive collaboration leveraged the best minds in Virginia for the initiative. The effort was rare and powerful in forging a vision from boots on the ground businesses, academic institutions, and government economic development leaders.

In his address to the 600 attendees of the Economic Summit, Governor Elect McAuliff embraced the results of the plan. His energetic comments emphasized his interest in Early Childhood Education and Workforce Development as immediate priorities. His early commitment to workforce development was evident in his visit to all 23 Community Colleges in Virginia during his campaign. The address had tones of Ronald Reagan, energizing the crowd with passionate pride in Virginia, while reaching out to both parties to join in building an exceptional future for Virginia. He applauded Governor McDonnell and Lieutenant Governor Bolling for their bipartisan success in passing the Transportation Bill in the 2013 General Assembly Session.  

Blueprint Virginia outlines a ten point foundation for success with framework for each point as follows: 1) Education: System -Level Reform, Early Childhood Education, K-12 Education, Post-Secondary/Higher Education. 2) Workforce: Data & Dissemination, Public-Private Partnerships, Targeted Sectors & Populations, Regional Solutions. 3) Business Climate & Economic Development: Incentives, International, Taxes, Federal, Small Business, Tourism, Workforce, Industry Sectors, Pro-Business Policies. 4) Transportation: Efficient & Effective Implementation of 2013 Legislation, Maximize the Value of Virginia’s Transportation Crown Jewels, Maintain and Strengthen an “All of the Above” Strategy in Transportation, Continue Tradition of Innovation Even in an Era of Improved Funding, Aviation & Aerospace, Highways, Ports, Rail & Transit, Overall Competitiveness. 5) Health Care: Population Health and Wellness, Quality - Access - Cost, Health Workforce, Innovation. 6) Technology, Innovation, & Startups: Innovation Funding, Entrepreneurship, Technology Sectors, STEM Education, Commercialization, Broadband. 7) Energy: “All of the Above” Strategy for Job Creation, Infrastructure Investment, Energy Reliability, Efficiency & Education. 8) Manufacturing: Taxes, Regulation, Economic Development, Energy. 9) Environment: Water, Land, Air, Climate, Sustainability, Government, Recreation. 10) Military & Veteran Affairs: Preserve Virginia-based MIlitary Assets, Support Military Families, Integrate Veterans into the Economy, Prepare for the Challenges Ahead.

Virginia faces the economic tremors of Sequestration and Federal spending cuts. The Blueprint for Virginia could not come at a better time in securing our foundation. The best strategy for predicting the future is to engineer it for success. For more information about Blueprint Virginia go to www.VAChamber.com.