VEDP/Ally Meetings | VEDP Orientations | The Global Logistics Forum | Plastics Industry Perspectives |Right Now Sites & Virtual Buildings Programs | Certified Motorsports Properties |
VEDP Quarterly Report to Legislators | VirginiaScan | GOF Guidelines | VIP Guidelines | Prospect Handling Protocal Guidelines | Reference Maps | Profiles | Forms You Can Use |
Community Assistance Tools | Publications | Commerce Quarterly | Economic Development Articles | Small Business Startup CD | Economic Development Organizations

VEDP/Ally Meetings
 

VEDP Quarterly Report to Legislators
 

VEDP provides a breakdown of its activities by Planning District Commission (PDC) to all members of the Virginia legislature on a quarterly basis. This online report provides detailed activities for each PDC by quarter. The system will default to the most recent quarter, but information is available for previous quarters since FY 2006. Click here to view the VEDP Quarterly Report.

VEDP Orientations
 
  • The Orientation Briefing is an opportunity to learn about the mission and operations of VEDP, to meet key VEDP staff members, and to see how VEDP's efforts can support your community's economic development activities. The briefings are held in VEDP's 20th Floor Presentation Center, and invitations are sent to those new to economic development in Virginia. Click here to view the presentations from the last orientation.


  • If you have recently participated in the VEDP Orientation, we would appreciate your participation in a brief survey on your experience. The survey takes less than 5 minutes to complete and will provide valuable feeback as we seek to improve future orientations. Click here to launch the survey.


  • The next VEDP Allies Orientation Briefing will be held on September 17, 2008 in VEDP's 20th Floor Presentation Center. Lunch will be provided. Please contact if you are interested in attending the orientation.

The Global Logistics Forum
 

Plastics Industry Perspectives
 
  • VEDP’s Plastics Industry Perspectives was held on November 15, 2007. Click here to view “Plastics Establishments and Employment in Virginia,” presented by Ann Battle, VEDP’s Senior Economist. If you have questions about the event or about the plastics industry in Virginia, please contact at (804) 545-5744.

Right Now Sites and Virtual Buildings Programs
 

VEDP's "Right Now" Sites and "Virtual" Buildings Programs are designed to meet the compressed timeframes of modern business location and expansion decisions. These programs establish minimum standards for infrastructure development, environmental clearance and readiness to begin construction in the shortest timeframes possible.

"Right Now" Sites will have a special designation on VEDP's VirginiaScan website. "Virtual" Buildings will be listed on the VirginiaScan website the same as an existing building.

For more information on these programs, contact at (804) 545-5786.







VirginiaScan
 
  • iVS - VirginiaScan Online Update Center
    The VirginiaScan Online Update Center was created to give localities and regions the ability to update properties and community profiles online.     In an attempt to ensure the quality and reliability of the properties listed in the VirginiaScan database, the VEDP will be implementing a mandatory update process for properties beginning October 1, 2007. Click here to view the review schedule.

    • Properties
      With the properties feature, you can update your site and building data online. Users can add or edit sites and buildings data, upload supporting documentation and photos, and print reports. Users only have access to the site and building information for their specific locality or region. If you have questions, please contact .

      • Size Requirements

        • Industrial buildings must have a minimum of 5,000 sq. ft. available
        • Office buildings must have a minimum of 10,000 sq. ft. available
        • Sites must have a minimum of 5 contiguous acres available
        • Properties not meeting the size requirements will be approved but will display only on your VirginiaScan Custom Sites & Buildings (VanillaScan) site.

      • Geographic Requirements

        • For buildings, a valid street address, including the city and zip code (no P. O. boxes) must be provided. If a street address is not available, the nearest intersection must be provided along with an aerial photo or vicinity map pinpointing the location of the building.

        • For sites, a valid street address, including the city and zip code (no P. O. boxes or route numbers) must be provided, along with an aerial photo or map highlighting the site boundaries. A tax map may be substituted if a tax map index is included. If a street address is not available, the nearest intersection must be provided.

        • Site boundaries or building locations can also be submitted in a GIS file. The best way to get digital data to VEDP is to create a shapefile or personal geodatabase of the sites and/or buildings, compress with WinZip or something similar, and either put on CD to mail or e-mail to . Please include a projection file and/or metadata with the files. If you are using software other than ESRI, try to convert to a shapefile. Otherwise, send us what you have by CD or FTP and we’ll try to convert it. We do have AutoCAD software, but we will need to know what projection, if any, you are using. If you have any questions, please contact at (804) 545-5686.

        • Site boundaries or building locations can be submitted by e-mail, fax, or mail to:

          Michelle Mende
          Community Resources Assistant
          VEDP Research
          P. O. Box 798
          Richmond, VA 23218-0798
          (804) 545-5771 Fax


    • Community Profiles
      With this feature, you can electronically update 11 of the 23 data categories included in VEDP's demographic profile for your locality. The updatable categories include location, major employers, utilities (electric, gas, telecommunications, water, sewer, and solid waste disposal), government, community facilities and lifestyle. The remaining 12 categories are updated by VEDP staff according to specific sources. For additional information on this application, please contact .
      •

    Click here to logon to iVS. If you do not have a username and password, please contact to request an account.

  • VirginiaScan Custom Sites & Buildings Tool (VanillaScan)
    The VirginiaScan Custom Sites & Buildings Tool is an interactive tool that seamlessly integrates your community’s data from VirginiaScan, including all sites, buildings, workforce, business and quality-of-life information, into your existing website, while maintaining your website’s brand, look and feel.


    • How It Works
      The tool is built, maintained and customized with your colors to ensure a seamless integration of VirginiaScan content into your site. VEDP hosts the tool and manages the operation for you. There is no software, hardware or technical expertise that you must purchase.


    • Features
      • Customizable color scheme to closely match your website’s look.
      • Customizable search options. For example, you may want to have price information as a search option.
      • A map on the search results page that highlights the sites & buildings.
      • Customizable property details page. You can add or remove data elements. Example: you may choose to display price information.
      • Your contact information will be provided at the top of every property details page.
      • Searchable Workforce, business, and quality of life data.
      • A new enhanced interactive map.

      Please contact for additional information.

GOF Guidelines (June 2008)
 

The Governor's Opportunity Fund provides either grants or loans to localities to assist in the creation of new jobs and investment in accordance with criteria established by legislation. Click here to view the GOF Guidelines .


TROF Guidelines
 

The Tobacco Region Opportunity Fund (TROF) provides incentives for new industry locations and expanding companies within the tobacco region.

Click here to view the Program Guidelines

Click here to view the Eligible Localities Map

Motorsports TROF funds are awarded as incentive grants to recruit motorsports research and design facilities, engine fabricators, specialized machine shops, racing controls and instrumentation makers, race car teams, and other businesses that support and supply the racing industry.

Click here for additional information on Motorsports TROF

Transportation Partnership Opportunity Fund Guidelines
 

The Transportation Partnership Opportunity Fund (TPOF) provides grants, revolving loans, or other financial tools and equity contributions to encourage the development of transportation projects and to provide monies to address the transportation aspects of economic development opportunities.

Click here to view the Program Guidelines & Criteria

Click here to view the TPOF page on the VDOT website.

Virginia Economic Development Incentive Grant Guidelines (March 2008)
 

The Virginia Economic Development Incentive Grant assists and encourages companies to invest and to provide new employment opportunities by locating significant headquarters, administrative, research and development and/or similar service and basic sector operations in Virginia. This is a discretionary program in which grants are negotiated and made to selected projects as an economic development incentive. Full Details


Virginia Investment Partnership and Major Eligible Employer Grant Guidelines (March 2008)
 

The Virginia Investment Partnership Grant Program (“VIP”) and the Major Eligible Employer Grant Program (“MEE”) are used to encourage existing Virginia manufacturers, research and development services and other major basic employers to continue to invest in Virginia and to provide stable employment opportunities by adding production capacity, utilizing state-of-the-art technology, and modernizing assembly processes. This is a discretionary program in which grants are negotiated and offered to qualified applicants as an economic development incentive.Full Details


Prospect Handling Protocol Guidelines - Regional and Local Cooperation (October 2006)
  The purpose of these guidelines is to provide a framework for professional communication when working directly with VEDP-initiated or local or regionally-initiated leads. Timeframes and steps are outlined as an "ideal" project would occur; actual project management will be impacted by many issues that can affect this ideal guideline structure. Full details

 

Reference Maps
 

Forms You Can Use
 

Community Assistance Tools
 

Publications
 

Economic Development Articles
 
  • Virginia Enterprise Zone Program (February 2008)
    The Virginia Enterprise Zone program was established by the General Assembly in 1982 through passage of the Virginia Enterprise Zone Act. The purpose of the program is to encourage new business activity by providing state and local tax relief and grants, local regulatory flexibility, and local infrastructure development.
  • Establishment of Technology Zones (March 2007)
    Establishment of a technology zone allows localities to create special incentives for qualified businesses locating or expanding operations in a zone. Virginia’s cities, counties and towns have the ability to establish, by ordinance, one or more technology zones to attract growth in targeted industries.
  • Major Business Facilities Job Tax Credit 2008
    As required by Section 58.1-439 (J) of the Code of Virginia, the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, in conjunction with the Virginia Department of Taxation and the Virginia Employment Commission, has identified the list of localities that are considered "economically distressed" for the purpose of administering the Major Business Facility Job Tax Credit for 2008.
  • New Market Tax Credit Program (2006)
    The federal New Market Tax Credit program is currently the largest federal economic development incentive program. It is designed to channel $15 billion in new, private capital investment into businesses in economically distressed census tracts.
  • Commonwealth Technology Research Fund (November 2006)
    The sole purpose of the CTRF is to attract public and private research funding for Virginia institutions of higher education, in order to increase technological and economic development in Virginia. For additional information, please visit the Center for Innovative Technology website.
  • Virginia Small Business Financing Authority Program Enhancements (2007)
    Starting in 2007, the VSBFA’s Economic Development Loan Fund (EDLF) and Loan Guarantee program (LGP) have rate and term enhancements that provide lower costs and more flexibility for small business owners, as well as banks and other lenders looking for creative ways to support small business. Click here to access information on some recent projects funded by VSBFA. These examples demonstrate the VSBFA's ability to provide financing for tourism projects (Mimslyn) and projects with large companies (Dickenson) and not just small business deals. Please contact at VSBFA if you have any questions.
  • Industrial Development and Growth
    The ongoing debate over growth has become linear and polarized. Every party needs to acknowledge the complexity of the growth issue and its multiple causes.
  • Virginia's Incentives Policy
    Incentives in economic development are frequently discussed, but often inadequately understood. Virginia takes very seriously her stewardship of public dollars, and aims always to make wise investments.
  • Air Permits and Construction
    How long will it take to get my environmental permits? When can I start construction? These are the two most frequently asked questions by economic developers.
  • When a Prospect Comes to Town (April 2006)
    When a prospect comes to town, preparation, the tour and follow up are key. This article by Dean Whittaker includes 47 tips for what to do before, during and after the visit. Reprinted by permission. Click here for additional resources available on the Whittaker Associates website.

Economic Development Organizations
 
  • Virginia Economic Developers Association
    1340 N. Great Neck Road #1272-128
    Virginia Beach, VA 23454-2230
    Phone: (757) 412-2664
    Fax: (757) 412-4637
    E-mail:
  • Virginia Institute for Economic Development
    Marketing Services
    702 University City Boulevard
    Mail Code 0272
    Virginia Tech
    Blacksburg, VA 24061
    Phone: (540) 231-4084
    Fax: (540) 231-8672
    E-mail:
  • Economic Development Institute
    Center for Business and Economic Development
    University Outreach
    College of Continuing Education
    The University of Oklahoma
    1666 Cross Center Drive, Rooom 301
    Norman, OK 73072
    Phone: (405) 325-3891
    Fax: (405) 325-7329
    E-mail:



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