Amazon Construction Update 3-16-2012

Work continues on the new Amazon fullfilment facility in Chesterfield County, Virginia.

Photo Courtesy of Chesterfield Police Department 3-16-2012

Collegiate School Aquatics Center Opens to Public

Splashdown! 

Grand Opening Celebration Marks Arrival of World-Class Aquatics Facility in Chesterfield County Virginia

Over four years ago, a group of local residents had a dream to bring world-class swimming and increased water safety to the greater Richmond area and today, that dream became a reality with the official opening of the Greater Richmond Aquatics Partnership’s state-of-the-art facility, the Collegiate School Aquatics Center, with the expectation to host an estimated 400,000+ number of visitors annually.

The Greater Richmond Aquatics Partnership (GRAP) is the unprecedented collaboration of five long-standing and impactful area organizations that include Collegiate School, Poseidon Swimming, Trinity Episcopal School, Richmond Kickers and the Sports Backers.

“Dozens of community leaders, parents and area residents have collaboratively worked together to elevate swimming as a life-long, participatory sport in Richmond and I am pleased to be associated with the many men and women who have worked tirelessly to bring this facility to our community,” said Bobby Ukrop, President of the Greater Richmond Aquatics Partnership. “All of us who worked on this endeavor know the possibilities that it brings to our area – especially serving the needs of the thousands of area children who do not have access to swim lessons and water safety programs.”

Located in Ukrop Park in northern Chesterfield County, the 54,000+ square foot facility boasts three pools including the 50 meter, eight lane Myrtha Pool from the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials in Omaha, a therapy pool with two underwater treadmills and diagnostic video equipment, and a 25-yard, warm water pool for lessons. An expansive 7,000 square foot mezzanine grandstand can hold up to 700 spectators. The fully accessible facility boasts a community room, ample parking and locker facilities. In the future, a 5,000 square foot space is planned for physical therapy and rehabilitation services.

“We are so fortunate to have such a well-constructed center with state-of-the-art equipment, but the heart of the facility is the community-wide focus on water safety, health and fitness, sports tourism and competitive swimming,” said Adam Kennedy, Executive Director, Greater Richmond Aquatics Partnership.  “The Collegiate School Aquatics Center is open to area residents of all ages and will primarily be available for community use with less than 20% of the pool being used for competitive swimming.”

Among the attendees to the ceremony will be a former Virginia resident very familiar with the Myrtha Pool at the new Collegiate School Aquatics Center, Katie Hoff. The former Olympian, who competed in the 2004 and 2008 Summer Olympic Games, swam in the pool at the 2008 Olympic Trials in Omaha before earning bronze medals in Beijing. A world record holder, Hoff now resides and trains in Florida.

The Aquatics Center will provide an economic boost to the region with 40 new jobs now and additional ones once the physical therapy facility opens. With the ability to host significant swim competitions; all sanctioned by Virginia and USA Swimming, GRAP anticipates the facility will bring over $2 million to the area annually through sports tourism. It is estimated that the Collegiate School Aquatics Center cost over $14 million to build and will host its first competitive meet on April 20 with Poseidon’s Fresh Start Invitational. To learn more about the water safety and swim instruction programs available to community, please contact Adam Kennedy at 804-334-7669.

Photo By SportsBackers

Marten Transport, Ltd. Expands in Chesterfield County

Marten Transport, Ltd. is expanding its operation in Chesterfield County. The company is building a new facility on Port Walthall Drive in the Walthall Enterprise Zone.

Marten will invest $7 million and add 50 new positions within the first year of opening the new facility.

Marten is currently leasing space on West Hundred Road in Chester, but will move into their new building as soon as it is completed. The company currently employs 125 workers.

Call for Nominations 2012 First Choice Business Awards

Each year, Chesterfield County honors local companies that contribute to the county’s economy and its residents. The intent is to give recognition to businesses that consistently contribute to the community by giving back to the residents of Chesterfield County through community service, or create and deliver products or services that are innovative to its customers.  Other criteria include that a business is a leader in valuing its employees, and upholds the principles and standards of ethical business practices. Past winners have included ACAC Fitness & Wellness Center, Hoover & Strong, Priority Automotive, Iron Bridge Sports Park and Austin Brockenbrough & Associates.

On behalf of Chesterfield County, the Department of Economic Development, the Chesterfield County Chamber of Commerce, and the Chesterfield Business Council are inviting nominations for the 2012 First Choice Business Awards. Companies may nominate themselves and/or be nominated by any individual or group within the community. Nominations must be submitted by April 13th 2012. All nominated companies will receive a formal application form to be completed by the nominee.

Winners will be chosen by a selection panel, which will consist of business leaders and county staff selected for their business and community knowledge. The selection panel will then interview businesses that meet the general eligibility criteria before final winners are chosen.

The winners will be recognized at Chesterfield County’s Celebrate Chesterfield Business! event.  The Board of Supervisors will also recognize this year’s First Choice Business Award winners at their July meeting. Celebrate Chesterfield Business! is the county’s annual business appreciation event. The Commonwealth of Virginia will celebrate “Business Appreciation Week” the week of June 4th, 2012.

Nominations may be submitted online at www.chesterfieldbusiness.com/award/

Collegiate School Expands Footprint into Chesterfield County

New Area Aquatics Center to Be Named After Distinguished Independent School

Collegiate School, a member of the Greater Richmond Aquatics Partnership (GRAP), announced today that it will lend its name to the new state-of-the-art aquatics center. It will be officially named the “Collegiate School Aquatics Center”.

Located in Chesterfield County, the aquatics center is the latest addition to Ukrop Park, which is the Richmond Kickers Club’s 46-acre sports complex. The new facility will also be the home of Poseidon Swimming.

“We are thrilled to join with our partners in leading the effort to bring a world-class aquatics center to Richmond and Chesterfield County,” said Collegiate Head of School Keith Evans. “Our investment will provide our swimmers with a home pool while giving us a chance to help GRAP reach its goal of teaching every second-grader to swim by 2020.”

Aquatics Center Features

• Located in Ukrop Park at the intersection of Chippenham Parkway and Ironbridge Road, Dale District, Chesterfield County
• 54,000+ square foot facility
• Three pools
• 50 meter, eight lane, competition pool (the pool used at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials in Omaha, NE where some of the country’s best swimmers set many national records)
• Therapy pool, complete with two underwater treadmills and diagnostic video equipment
• 25-yard, warm water pool will be available for lessons
• 7,000 square foot mezzanine grandstand will seat up to 700 enthusiastic spectators

“Chesterfield County is very pleased to have Collegiate School join the county in this endeavor,” said County Administrator Jay Stegmaier. “Its continued quest for excellence, both in and out of the classroom, has earned Collegiate quite a reputation. We look forward to working with the school to further grow its presence in Chesterfield County.

Collegiate currently holds its swim practices in the evening at St. Catherine’s School. With the opening of the Collegiate School Aquatics Center, the school will shift its practices to afternoons starting next November. “The aquatics center is only 18 minutes from our main campus yet gives us an opportunity to have an expanded presence in the Greater Richmond Metropolitan area. We have terrific partners to work with and have enjoyed the support of Chesterfield County’s leadership from day one,” said Evans.

The Collegiate School Aquatics Center has become a reality due to the collaboration of five of our area’s finest education and sports organizations: Collegiate School, Trinity Episcopal School, Poseidon Swimming, Richmond Kickers Youth Soccer Club, Sports Backers and the many community leaders who formed the Greater Richmond Aquatics Partnership (GRAP).

“This new center will have a catalytic impact by providing a community-wide focus on swimming and water safety,” said Bobby Ukrop, Chairman of the Board, Greater Richmond Aquatics Partnership.

The Collegiate School Aquatics Center is centrally located in the Dale District of Chesterfield County.

“What a great announcement for both Chesterfield County and the entire region. With sports being a key component of our overall tourism effort, the new facility will have terrific economic impact attracting visitors from up and down the East Coast,” said Dale Supervisor Jim Holland.

The Greater Richmond Aquatics Partnership will be hosting a grand opening event on March 13, 2012.

Media Contacts:

Keith Evans
Collegiate School
kevans@collegiate-va.org
804-741-9702

Bobby Ukrop
Greater Richmond Aquatics Partnership
bobby.ukrop@ukrops.com
804-340-3105

Will Davis
Chesterfield County Economic Development
wdavis@chesterfieldbusiness.com
804-318-8558

New Tourism Video for Richmond Region Posted

The Richmond Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau has posted a new video highlighting the best of the Richmond Region.

 

Honeywell to Invest $27.5 million in Chesterfield County

Company will create 50 new jobs.

Governor Bob McDonnell announced today that Honeywell, a Fortune 100 manufacturing and technology company, will invest $27.5 million to add to its Advanced Fibers and Composites (AF&C) operation in Chesterfield County. AF&C manufactures the lightest, strongest polyethylene fiber available anywhere in the world, which is used for ballistic protection with the U.S. military and law enforcement agencies and in certain industrial applications. The project will create 50 new jobs. Virginia successfully competed against North Carolina and South Carolina.

Speaking about today’s announcement, Governor McDonnell said, "As home to 17 facilities employing approximately 1,800 Virginians, the Commonwealth values Honeywell as a major corporate partner. An investment of this magnitude to manufacture life-saving technology at its operation in Chesterfield County is significant for the region and for Virginia. Honeywell’s AF&C unit supplies the materials that helps keep U.S. soldiers and law enforcement personnel safe by enabling stronger, lighter bullet resistant vests and other armor, and we appreciate the company’s commitment to our country and continued investment in the Commonwealth."

"Honeywell began operations in Virginia as early as 1928, and it is gratifying that the company continues to thrive more than 80 years later," said Jim Cheng, Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade. "Approximately 300 are employed by Honeywell in Chesterfield County, and we are pleased that with this investment 50 new jobs will be added."

Honeywell ballistic materials have been trusted to protect military and police forces around the world for more than two decades. They are used in a variety of applications where lightweight strength is critical, including bullet-resistant vests, breast plates, helmets, combat vehicles and military aircraft. The fiber is also used in a wide variety of industrial and recreational applications, including rope and lifting slings, mooring lines, fishing line, sail cloth and security netting.

"Honeywell’s Advanced Fibers and Composites business, based in Chesterfield County, is already a premier supplier of life-saving materials for bullet-resistant vests and helmets as well as for industrial applications. This investment will allow us to better serve our customers with next-generation materials," said Andreas Kramvis, President and CEO of Honeywell Performance Materials and Technologies. "We are grateful for the support of the Commonwealth of Virginia and Chesterfield County, and look forward to continuing our longstanding partnership."

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Chesterfield County, the Greater Richmond Partnership and Virginia’s Gateway Region to secure the project for Virginia. Governor McDonnell approved a $300,000 performance-based grant from the Virginia Investment Partnership (VIP) program, an incentive available to existing Virginia companies. Through its Virginia Jobs Investment Program, the Virginia Department of Business Assistance will provide funding and services to support the company’s recruitment and training activities.

"We are so pleased when one of our long-standing existing businesses expands," said Dan Gecker, Chairman of the Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors. "It demonstrates that they have found Chesterfield County to be a profitable business environment, and we sincerely appreciate their commitment to Chesterfield County and look forward to their continued growth. Honeywell is producing quality leading edge products and it is especially rewarding that their technology is saving lives. We congratulate Honeywell on their success."

Chesterfield Company Selected to Participate in Virginia’s VALET Program

- Two-year program provides resources to support international business -

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) today announced the acceptance of two Central Virginia companies into its two-year Virginia Leaders in Export Trade (VALET) program. Launched in January 2002, the program assists exporters in the Commonwealth that have firmly established domestic operations and are committed to international exporting as an expansion strategy.

The new companies accepted into the program include Hermle North America of Amherst County and Integrated Global Services of Chesterfield County.

Currently, the VALET program has 50 companies as participants. New participants in the program have access to $15,000 in reimbursement funds from the Commonwealth. The program provides participating companies assistance from a team of experienced international service providers to help them meet their international goals. Private sector service providers such as attorneys, Web designers, bankers, translators and freight forwarders contribute essential expertise to assist companies in executing their export initiatives.

These Central Virginia companies join the program as part of the 21st class of VALET companies. To participate, each eligible business must meet several quantitative criteria and complete an application process. Participating firms are chosen based on their dedication to growth through export. Currently, more than 165 Virginia companies have been accepted to participate in the VALET program.

“The VALET Program generates international sales for Virginia companies,” said Paul Grossman, VEDP Director of International Trade and Investment. “Since its inception in 2002, the program has worked with more than 165 companies to increase their international sales. Because of the program’s proven success and because jobs are created when Virginia companies sell more into global markets, it is important that we continue to assist Virginia companies through the program. We are happy to welcome these companies to VALET and look forward to working with them over the course of the next two years.”

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership, a marketing organization, was created by the Virginia General Assembly in 1995 to encourage, stimulate, and support the development and expansion of the economy of the Commonwealth. The Partnership is a state authority, which is governed by a 22-member Board of Directors appointed by the Governor and the Virginia General Assembly. To accomplish its objectives of promoting economic expansion within the Commonwealth, the Partnership focuses its efforts on business recruitment, expansion and international trade. VEDP has offices in Virginia, Belgium, Shanghai, Mexico, Japan, India and the United Kingdom.

To learn more about VALET program, visit www.ExportVirginia.org

Amazon Site Work Progressing Quickly

Work on the new one million square-foot Amazon.com fulfillment center in Chesterfield County is moving forward a rapid pace. The roads leading to the site are almost ready for paving and the entire development site has been cleared. The photos below were taken on January 10th.

Meadowville Technology Parkway

Entrance to the Amazon Site

Amazon Development Site

Amazon Development Site Aerial

MTP Master Plan Updated with Amazon Layout

The Timmons Group has updated the Meadowville Technology Park master plan to include the new one million square-foot Amazon.com fulfillment center in Chesterfield County.