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Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Governor McDonnell Welcomes Sabra Dipping Company to Chesterfield

Cuts Ribbon at Company's New State-of-the-Art Manufacturing Plant



Governor Bob McDonnell traveled to Chesterfield today for the official ribbon cutting ceremony opening Sabra Dipping Company's new food manufacturing plant. The plant will make Sabra branded dips and spreads, including the country's best-selling Sabra hummus and vegetable dips. The opening of the plant will create 260 new jobs. Sabra's decision to move to Virginia was announced by former Governor Tim Kaine in November 2008.

Speaking about today's ribbon cutting ceremony Governor McDonnell noted, "I want to thank my predecessor, Governor Tim Kaine, for his successful effort to bring this great international company to Virginia. Working with the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, the Kaine Administration was aggressive and proactive in convincing Sabra to choose the Commonwealth over two other states that were under consideration for this same project. The result is 260 new jobs in the Richmond/Tri-Cities area, and this Administration was pleased to be a part of the finalization of the venture over the last few months. I look forward to working with Sabra in the years ahead, and I welcome this great corporate partner to Virginia. As Governor I will be vigilant in ensuring that the Commonwealth remains a great, pro-business host for Sabra and all our job-creating employers. We will do that by keeping taxes low, regulations and litigation at a minimum and putting in place the policies our private sector employers need in order to grow and be successful. The number one priority of our Administration is job creation, and today is another positive step forward in this effort."

Chesterfield County wishes to congratulate Sabra Dipping Company on the occasion of their grand opening and thanks them for their commitment to Chesterfield. As Sabra begins manufacturing at its state-of-the-art food processing plant in Chesterfield County, the company will begin to see benefits from locating within the county. Sabra will produce award-winning Sabra branded dips and spreads including the country’s best-selling Sabra hummus and vegetable dips.

The 110,000 square foot facility on 49 acres in the Ruffin Mill Industrial Park is located in the Walthall Enterprise Zone. The Enterprise Zone enables the company to take advantage of numerous local and State benefits such as; waved permitting fees, utility discounts, tax rebates, job creation grants and real property investment grants.

The plant was built using the county’s “Fast Track” Project Review process and enabled the company to get underway quickly to meet their projected time line. Constant contact with the company’s development team, and the site and building review teams in Chesterfield County, helped resolve issues quickly and efficiently keeping the company on tract to meet their scheduled opening.

To staff the facility, Sabra is taking advantage of Chesterfield's large and diverse labor pool. The new plant is able to take advantage of a skilled labor pool of approximately 653,000+ people in the region to fill the 260 available positions.

These advantages, both tangible and intangible, helped Chesterfield County attract a high profile international company who is the top brand in the growing dips category. Sabra Dipping Company is jointly owned by Strauss Ltd and PepsiCo. The Sabra joint venture draws on both Strauss Group and Frito-Lay North America’s marketplace expertise to continue building this growing business. Frito-Lay is a business unit of PepsiCo. This will be the first new facility built since the formation of the Sabra Dipping Company joint venture.

In addition to Chesterfield Economic Development; Sabra was assisted in the site selection and development process by the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, Virginia Jobs Investment Program, the Virginia Gateway Region and the Greater Richmond Partnership.

Chesterfield County is pleased to welcome Sabra as an important part of our business community and pledges to continue to do everything possible to help the company grow and benefit from locating in Chesterfield.

Thursday, May 20, 2010

2010 First Choice Business Award Winners Announced

Chesterfield County Announces 2010 First Choice Business Award Winners at Annual Celebrate Chesterfield Business! Event

Business_of_the_Year_2010

Village Bank President and CEO Tom Winfree, center, accepts the Business of the Year award from Bermuda District Supervisor Dorothy Jaeckle, County Administrator James J. L. Stegmaier, Matoaca District Supervisor Marleen Durfee and Economic Development Director Will Davis. The annual business awards event was held at the Courtyard by Marriott hotel in Chester. Awards were determined by a committee of business operators in the county.

Each year Chesterfield County honors local companies that contribute to the county’s economy and its citizens through the annual First Choice Business Awards. 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, that create and deliver products or services that are innovative to its customers, is a leader in valuing its employees, and upholds the principles and standards of ethical business practices.

This year’s First Choice Business Award winners were announced at the annual Celebrate Chesterfield Business! appreciation event held on May 19, 2010.

The Innovation Impact Award winner was Alliance Engineering, Inc. They seized the challenging economic climate as an opportunity to develop an innovative strategy diverse from their traditional client base. Their new initiative, Alliance Biosciences, allows for their team to collaborate on multi-discipline projects in a diverse field, in the combating of infectious disease.

Flagstop Corporation was the winner of the Employee Impact Award. Flagstop sets high standards for their employees and they rise to occasion. Their team provides exceptional customer service. Employees are rewarded with bonuses, profit sharing, and top quality training and professional development opportunities.

The Environmental Stewardship Award is new this year and is designed to recognize a Chesterfield County business, which has successfully displayed their efforts in being a responsible protector of the environment. This year’s winner, Southern RV, held environmental education clinics with over 470 attendees. The company has an aggressive recycling program for oil, batteries and paper. Company staff also takes pride in maintaining the appearance of their site by keeping it clean of trash and debris.

The 2010 First Choice Business of the Year was awarded to Village Bank. Village Bank has been a leader in the County for several years, celebrating their tenth year of serving Chesterfield County and the metropolitan Richmond area. Their flagship headquarters set a high standard for the future development of Watkins Center.

They have a strong company commitment, both on a corporate and individual level, to community service. Tom Winfree, President and CEO, is a founding member of the Families of the Wounded Fund. Village Bank also sponsors an annual Charity Golf Tournament that benefits several local charities including Connor’s Heroes and Make A Wish Foundation.

In this past year of economic turmoil, not only have they over-come adversity but Village Bank has actually shown marked growth, adding investment services and a mortgage subsidiary to their portfolio of services. Village Bank and their staff take seriously the “community” in “community bank”.

The Board of Supervisors at the July 28, 2010 meeting will recognize the First Choice Business Award winners.

For more information on this year’s Celebrate Chesterfield Business! contact Tina Shreve at (804) 318-8564, or email at tina@chesterfieldbusiness.com

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

New Taxiway Opens at Chesterfield Airport

Melissa Correa of NBC 12 reported yesterday about the opening of the new taxiway that allows for larger planes at Chesterfield County Airport. Her report included interviews with Chesterfield Airport Manager Tom Trudeau and Dominion Aviation CEO Mike Mickel.




Read the story on the NBC12.com web site >>>

The Richmond Times-Dispatch has also posted an article about the ceremony and the new improvements to the airport. http://bit.ly/cFIFHi

Historic Route 1 Promotes Tourism in Chesterfield

President of the Jefferson Davis Association Scott Rogers shows us some of the historic landmarks travelers can see along Route 1.

Friday, May 14, 2010

2010 Celebrate Chesterfield Business! Event Planned

Chesterfield County Economic Development Announces Celebrate Chesterfield Business!

Chesterfield County and this year’s sponsors join the Commonwealth of Virginia in celebrating Business Appreciation Week throughout the Commonwealth. Coordinated each year by the Virginia Department of Business Assistance, Business Appreciation Week is scheduled for May 16th – 22th, 2010.

Chesterfield County Economic Development will host Celebrate Chesterfield Business! for local businesses in honor of Business Appreciation on May 19th at the Courtyard by Marriott in Chester. Sponsors for this year’s event include DuPont, Village Bank, Bon Secours St. Francis Medical Center, Dominion, and Courtyard by Marriott.



Learn More >>>

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Historic Route 1 project launched in Chesterfield

Lt. Gov. BillBolling
The Richmond-Times Dispatch has posted an article about the Historic Route 1 project in Chesterfield. Times-Dispatch writer Wesley P. Hester reports on the first leg of an effort to transform U.S. 1 from a worn and weary highway into a 2,400-mile tourist attraction.


A crowd of about 50 gathered with umbrellas yesterday at the Half Way House Restaurant on U.S. 1 to celebrate the honor for U.S. 1, as well as the launch of a related website and improvements to Jefferson Davis Highway.

“In Virginia, tourism is big business,“ said Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling from the porch of the manor house restaurant, built in 1760. “Anything we can do to help share the Virginia story with the rest of the nation is a wonderful thing to do, and that’s exactly what this project is designed to do.“


The new web site is located at HistoricRouteOne.com

Read the entire article online at the Richmond Times-Dispatch web site >>>

Wednesday, May 05, 2010

Hill PHOENIX Previews 2nd Plant in Chesterfield

Hill PHOENIX

County officials, along with current company employees, were invited to a sneak preview of Hill PHOENIX's second manufacturing plant in Chesterfield County Virginia. Hill PHOENIX currently operates an existing 508,000 square foot facility on Ruffin Mill Road and is preparing to open a second 317,000 square foot facility on Battery Brook Parkway in the James River Industrial Park. The company designs and manufactures refrigerated display cases.

Venture Forum Presents "Lunch with CEOs"


A Roundtable discussion between emerging entrepreneurs and veteran CEOs

Date: May 13, 2010
Time: 11:30 a.m. Registration & Networking
Program: 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. Lunch & Mentoring
Location: Westwood Club
6200 West Club Lane, Richmond, VA 23226
Cost: $25 including lunch

Entrepreneur Qualifications:
(some discretionary exceptions might be made)
• Established Business
• At least $100,000 annual revenue
• Committed to fast growth
• At least two employees
• On track to create new jobs

Qualified applicants who cannot be accommodated for the May13th event will be placed on a waiting list for the next Lunch With CEOs event scheduled for August 21st. Entrepreneurs will be admitted by invitation only (limited openings) Each Roundtable discussion will include three Entrepreneurs seeking mentoring, two CEOs Mentors who have built multi-million dollar businesses and one Sponsor representative.

Contact:
Chuck McCabe
804-204-1040
cmccabe@peoplestax.com
Venture Forum
804-267.3370

“Lunch with CEOs is a ‘must-go’ event for new entrepreneurs and rising businesses. It’s a great opportunity to meet with and learn from successful, veteran business owners. I enjoyed it immensely and look forward to attending future meetings!” Farah Hottle, Founder, eMommie.com.

“Thank you for the invite to the Lunch meeting. I really enjoyed myself and it was a very useful investment of my time.” Prince Rich, Founder & President, Rich Technology Group