A Guide to Selecting a Business Location in Virginia

2011 VIRGINIASite Selection

GuideA GUIDE TO SELECTING A BUSINESS LOCATION IN VIRGINIA

VIRGINIA SITE SELECTION GUIDE VIRGINIA SITE SELECTION GUIDE VIRGINIA SITE SELECTION GUIDE VIRGINIA SITE SELECTION GUIDE VIRGINIA SITE SELECTION GUIDE VIRGINIA SITE SELECTION GUIDE VIRGINIA SITE SELECTION 11VEDP2252_CNBC-VaBiz_Ad_ƒ.indd 1 7/6/11 4:29 PM FOR COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS Every Monday at noon,

VIRGINIA BUSINESS delivers hot leads and fresh intel straight to your e-mail inbox. CRE Intel keeps you in the loop by providing a comprehensive roundup of regional power plays and industry developments in Virginia’s only statewide weekly commercial real estate intelligence report.

CRE Intel: for you, about you, delivered to you.

Sign up for your free subscription to CRE Intel at www.virginiabusiness.com VIRGINIA SITE SELECTION GUIDE VIRGINIA SITE SELECTION GUIDE VIRGINIA SITE SELECTION GUIDE Why Virginia?

irginia is an attractive place to live and work. Its many of its natives. low tax rates and prime location entice busi- Welcome to the 2011-2012 Virginia Site Selection ness investment, while its natural beauty and re- Guide. The guide provides an overview of Virginia’s busi- nowned education system benefit its residents. ness climate for anyone exploring a business relocation VThese factors have been recognized in outside stud- or expansion. The introduction will highlight some of ies. On the business side, Virginia has been ranked as Virginia’s greatest assets, including its incentives, public one of the best states for business by studies in many colleges and universities, natural and manmade infra- national rankings, including those by Forbes.com, CNBC structure assets and work force. A list of recent invest- and Pollina Corporate Real Estate. ments demonstrates the commonwealth’s ability to at- Other studies show that many people move to Vir- tract a wide range of businesses. ginia, and those who are born in the commonwealth The main portion of the guide will provide an in- tend to stay. In 2009, the Pew Research Center deemed depth look at specific site locations in Virginia. These Virginia as a “high magnet” and “high sticky” state, mean- profiles show the commonwealth’s wide range of po- ing it attracted many out-of-state residents but also kept tential business locations.

Virginia’s economic climate: the business basics The advantages of doing business in Virginia:

• Corporate income tax: 6 percent sector in 2010 was 6.55 cents in Virginia, compared The rate has not been changed since 1972. to 6.71 cents in the nation. • Total sales tax: 5 percent • Business advice 4 percent state and 1 percent local Virginia features more than 30 publicly funded and • Right-to-work state nonprofit small business incubators, which help new Virginia has the third-lowest unionization rate in and early-stage businesses grow. (www.vbia.org) the country at 5.4 percent. The private sector’s • Major firms call Virginia home unionization rate is just 2.6 percent. 31 Fortune 1000 firms are headquartered in Virginia • Business One Stop —and Northrop Grumman, the country’s largest Virginia offers an accessible website for entrepreneurs defense contractor, will join that list in summer 2011. that streamlines the business registration process. • AAA bond rating (bos.virginia.gov) Virginia’s AAA rating keeps interest rates low for state • Low utility costs borrowing and is a sign of good fiscal management. The average cost per unit of electricity in the industrial Source: Virginia Economic Development Partnership

S4 AUGUST 2011 ADVERTISING VIRGINIA SITE SELECTION GUIDE VIRGINIA SITE SELECTION GUIDE VIRGINIA SITE SELECTION GUIDE

Key incentives Virginia offers a variety of incentives to encourage business investment and expansion. These include financial assistance, facilities development grants and tax exemptions. Following are some of the state’s most popular incentives.

Grants Virginia Investment Partnership programs The Virginia Investment Partnership (VIP) Grant and the Major Eligible Employer Grant (MEE) are performance-based incentives to encourage capital investment by Virginia companies.

Governor’s Opportunity Fund The Governor of Virginia can use these funds to help localities land an economic development deal. Designated areas Enterprise Zones The Virginia Economic Development The Virginia Enterprise Zone program encourages Incentive Grant (VEDIG) investment and job creation in more than 50 This performance-based grant encourages compa- urban and rural sites throughout Virginia. It offers nies to locate significant headquarters or administra- cash grants for jobs that pay more than the federal tive operations in Virginia. minimum wage and offer health benefits.

Exemptions Technology Zones Sales and use tax exemptions Localities can create technology zones that offer Virginia offers some exemptions from sales and use incentives such as fee waivers, local tax incentives tax, such as items purchased for resale or used in and special zoning treatment. manufacturing, pollution control devices, purchases used in R&D and charges for utilities and Internet Foreign Trade Zones access. Virginia’s Foreign Trade Zones encourage exports by U.S. manufacturers by eliminating or reducing Property tax exemptions customs duties. Property tax is handled at the local level. Virginia does not tax intangible property, manufacturers’ Defense Production Zones inventory, or manufacturers’ furniture, fixtures and These newly created zones allow localities to provide corporate aircraft. incentives to defense-related companies.

Background photo by Cameron Davidson, ADVERTISING VIRGINIA BUSINESS S5 courtesy Virginia Tourism Corp. VIRGINIA SITE SELECTION GUIDE VIRGINIA SITE SELECTION GUIDE VIRGINIA SITE SELECTION GUIDE Universities are economic development partners Virginia’s public universities have become key economic development partners in the state. These institutions are partnering with businesses on research projects, innovation and entrepreneurship. Many universities have built research parks that offer companies the opportunity to partner with local colleges and universities on economic development projects. These relationships help Virginia land key investment opportunities.

Following are examples of some university research parks around Virginia.

Commonwealth Center for INNOVATION @ Prince William University of Virginia Advanced Manufacturing (CCAM) (Prince William County) Research Park (Charlottesville) (Prince George County) The business and technology park at- The 562-acre research park is a mixed- CCAM is a partnership involving Rolls- tracts biotechnology and life science use commercial development property. Royce, the University of Virginia and Vir- companies. George Mason University’s The park is zoned for office, light indus- ginia Tech. The center combines research life-science campus is the anchor of the try, hotel/conference center, retail and at universities with the product develop- park. laboratory commercial uses. The business ment of private companies. The center’s park is designed to be a corporate village goal is to accelerate technologies from The Institute for Advanced setting among natural beauty. developmental stage through proof of Learning and Research (Danville) concept and on to commercialization. The institute’s goal is to boost Southern Virginia Advanced Shipbuilding The U.Va.-Tech partnership was a key Virginia’s economy through advanced- and Carrier Integration Center factor in Rolls-Royce’s decision to open a learning programs, strategic research and (Newport News) $500 million engine components plant in advanced networking and technology. The VASCIC is a partnership among Prince George. The facility includes four research cen- electronic systems suppliers, software ters, including studies on motorsports suppliers, Navy laboratories and Virginia Innovation Research Park @ ODU engineering, unmanned systems and ro- universities to develop new technologies (Norfolk) botics, sustainable hor- Innovation Research Park is part of a 75- ticulture and forestry acre mixed-used development on Old and advanced polymers. Dominion University’s campus. It was The academic partners Outside accolades designed for businesses to have access are Virginia Tech, Averett to ODU’s research, students and faculty University and Danville Virginia’s politicians often tout the commonwealth’s members. Community College. business-friendly reputation, but they certainly aren’t the only ones talking. Virginia consistently ranks near the top of a variety of business rankings, including: • CNBC: “America’s Top State for Business” CNBC ranked Virginia No. 1 on its list of “Top States for Business” in 2011. Virginia has received the ranking for three out of the five- year history of CNBC’s rankings. Texas and Virginia have flip-flopped between first and second place on the list.

• Forbes.com: “Best States for Business” Virginia ranked as the No. 1 spot on Forbes. com’s annual list for four years in a row. In 2011, the state ranked second.

• Pollina Corporate Real Estate: Top 10 Pro-Business States Pollina Corporate Real Estate named Virginia No. 1 on its list of pro-business states in 2010. Virginia has landed the No. 1 spot on the list three other times: 2003, 2007 and 2009.

S6 AUGUST 2011 ADVERTISING VIRGINIA SITE SELECTION GUIDE VIRGINIA SITE SELECTION GUIDE VIRGINIA SITE SELECTION GUIDE

for aircraft carriers and advanced ship- industry. Virginia Tech. The park is located right by building. the university’s campus. Virginia Tech Carilion School of Virginia BioTechnology Medicine and Research Institute Wallops Research Park (Accomack) Research Park (Richmond) (Roanoke) Most suited for aerospace and aviation The park has two bioscience business The public-private partnership formed operations, the park has sites available centers designed to support early-stage in 2007 conducts research regarding the ranging in size from two to 25 acres. Its and start-up life science companies. New molecular basis for health and disease, as overall goal is to provide a space for sci- firms join more than 67 life science com- well as the development of diagnostic ence, technology and education endeav- panies, research institutes and state labs, tools, treatments and therapies for exist- ors to supplement the NASA Wallops which employ more than 2,000 scientists, ing and emerging issues in medicine. The Flight Facility, as well as other partners. engineers and researchers. medical school opened in 2010. Source: Virginia Economic Development Partnership, Individual research parks Virginia Modeling, Analysis Virginia Tech Corporate and Simulation Center (Suffolk) Research Park (Blacksburg) Old Dominion University’s multidisci- With plans to double in size over the plinary research center emphasizes com- next decade, the park’s mis- puter modeling, simulation and visualiza- sion is to create a space tion research, development and educa- for high-technology re- tion. The center’s mission is to conduct search companies that collaborative research and development can potentially form re- to work with government and private search partnerships with

• Chief Executive Magazine ranked Virginia No. 4 on its list of Best/Worst States for Business in 2011.

• The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s placed Virginia high in a 2011 report on “Enterprising States: Recovery and Renewal for the 21st Cen- tury.” Virginia ranked No. 1 in high-tech share of all business, No. 3 on high school advanced placement intensity, No. 3 on STEM job con- centration, and No. 10 on productivity growth.

• U.S. News and World Report ranked Vir- ginia among the “Seven Best States to Start a Business” in 2009.

• Richmond, Lynchburg, Virginia Beach, Roa- noke, and Northern Virginia metro areas placed among Forbes.com’s top 50 Best Places For Business And Ca- reers: 2010, while Charlottesville, Blacks- burg, and Harrisonburg were chosen among the nation’s top 50 Best Small Places For Business And Careers. Source: Virginia Economic Development Partnership, Photo credit ADVERTISING VIRGINIA BUSINESS S7 VIRGINIA SITE SELECTION GUIDE VIRGINIA SITE SELECTION GUIDE VIRGINIA SITE SELECTION GUIDE Transportation & infrastructure irginia’s economic climate Trains Highways is greatly enhanced by its Fourteen railroads operate in Virginia on Major highways run through Virginia, transportation and infra- more than 3,500 miles of railway. Two of including: I-95, I-85, I-81, I-77, I-66 and structure assets. Its location the largest railroads in the country, CSX I-64. The commonwealth’s highway sys- in the mid-Atlantic region Corp. and Norfolk Southern Corp., tem offers more than 70,000 miles of Vputs the commonwealth within a day’s have railways throughout Virginia that con- interstate, primary and secondary roads. drive of two-thirds of the country’s nect the Port of Virginia to markets across Virginia’s legislature recently passed $4 population. Virginia is a prime location the country. Norfolk Southern recently billion in transportation spending to for transportation by train, plane and completed its Heartland Corridor, which jump-start construction projects around automobiles. cut almost two days off the trip to Chi- the state. cago for double-stacked container trains. Air travel Port of Virginia Washington Dulles International Amtrak operates more than 20 trains The Port of Virginia is one of the larg- Airport in Loudoun County is a key daily in Virginia. The railway provides re- est ports on the East Coast. Its naturally gateway to national and international gional service to Richmond, Newport deep harbor and high-tech marine ter- flights. The Ronald Reagan Wash- News and Lynchburg and several long- minals mean it is the only port that can ington National Airport in Arling- distance routes to places such as Miami handle post-Panamax vessels as a first ton is connected to the Metro, which and New York City. The Virginia Railway port of call. The port offers easy access allows direct access to public transit in Express offers commuter trains on two to interstate highways and freight trains. the Washington, D.C. region. Virginia also lines: one connecting Manassas Wash- A new barge service offers access to the features 11 commercial airports, provid- ington, D.C., and another that starts in Port of Richmond. ing close access to its regions. Fredericksburg. REPRINTS Our Custom Published Reprints can extend the effectiveness of your ad or article that appears in Virginia Business magazine, and they make excellent marketing pieces. Articles can be reﬂ owed without surrounding ads. If space allows, we can place your company contact information and logo. The cost will depend on the size of the reprint.

Would you like to know more about reprints? Please contact: Kevin Dick - (804) 225-0433

S8 AUGUST 2011 ADVERTISING Altria_VABusMag_OurRespon.pdf 1 5/4/11 11:39 AM

Altria Today

CMY

K Recognizing Our Responsibilities

Responsibility is more than a word at Altria – it’s important to our continued success. Altria’s companies produce premium tobacco brands, including Marlboro, Copenhagen, Skoal and Black & Mild, and quality wines from Chateau Ste. Michelle and Columbia Crest. Our companies’ products are intended for adult consumers, and they understand the importance of marketing them responsibly. Our tobacco companies: • Focus on one-to-one marketing efforts, such as direct mail, e-mail and promotional events, and have processes in place to verify they reach consumers 21 and older. • Work with retailers to restrict in-store display materials and product access – and support the successful We Card® program to help reduce underage tobacco use. • Communicate about the health effects of their tobacco products. At Altria, we also recognize that our companies’ actions impact more than 335,000 U.S. retailers and their employees – and the thousands of farmers and suppliers they do business with every day. There’s more to leadership than ﬁ nancial performance. As the owner of America’s largest manufacturers of tobacco products, we take our responsibilities seriously. It’s our way of doing business at Altria today.

VIRGINIA SITE SELECTION GUIDE VIRGINIA SITE SELECTION GUIDE VIRGINIA SITE SELECTION GUIDE Economic development contacts at Virginia’s public universities and colleges CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT UNIVERSITY NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY (276) 889-8184 1 University Place 700 Park Ave. [email protected] Newport News, Va. 23603 Norfolk, Va. 23504 www.wise.virginia.edu/econdev Bill Muir Joseph C. Hall Virginia Electronic Vice president for research and economic VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH Commerce Technology Center development UNIVERSITY (757) 243-8700 (757) 823-2144 919 E. Franklin St. [email protected] [email protected] Richmond, Va. 23284 www.vectec.org www.nsu.edu/research Michael D. Pratt Director of the Virginia Center COLLEGE OF WILLIAM & MARY OLD DOMINION UNIVERSITY for Urban Development 402 Jamestown Road 5115 Hampton Blvd. (804) 828-3500 Williamsburg, VA 23187 Norfolk, Va. 23529 [email protected] Leonard Sledge Tom Osha www.vcu.edu Director Economic development officer Office of Economic Development (757) 353-5737 VIRGINIA COMMUNITY (757) 221-1232 [email protected] COLLEGE [email protected] www.odu.edu SYSTEM www.wm.edu/economicdevelopment 101 North 14th Street, 15th floor RADFORD UNIVERSITY Richmond, Va. 23219 GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY P.O. Box 7005 Peter Blake 4301 University Drive, Suite 200 Radford, Va. 24142 Vice chancellor of Fairfax, Va. 22030 Rick Slavings Workforce Development Services Keith Segerson Vice Provost (804) 819-1680 Managing director (540) 831-6415 [email protected] Mason Enterprise Center [email protected] www.vccs.edu (703) 277-7700 www.radford.edu [email protected] VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE www.masonenterprisecenter.org UNIVERSITY OF MARY WASHINGTON 201 Smith Hall Roger Stough 121 University Blvd. Lexington, Va. 24450 Vice president, research and economic Fredericksburg, Va. 22401 Col. Stewart MacInnis development Meta R. Braymer Communications and marketing director [email protected] Associate provost for the (540) 464-7207 Division of Professional Development [email protected] JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY and Regional Engagement www.vmi.edu 701 Carrier Drive (540) 286-8000 MSC 4107 [email protected] VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY Harrisonburg, Va. 22807 www.umw.edu/professionalregional 1 Hayden Drive John B. Noftsinger Petersburg, Va. 23806 Vice provost for research and public UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA Rodney Butler service P.O. Box 400301 Director of corporate (540) 568-2700 Charlottesville, Va. 22904-4301 and government relations [email protected] Pace Lochte (804) 524-5634 www.jmu.edu/research Director of economic development for the [email protected] Office of the Vice President for Research www.vsu.edu LONGWOOD UNIVERSITY (434) 924-7566 515 Main St. [email protected] VIRGINIA TECH Farmville, Va. 23909 www.virginia.edu/vpr/industry 702 University City Blvd. Ken Copeland Blacksburg, Va. 24061 Director of Economic Development THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA’S John Provo (434) 395-2086 COLLEGE AT WISE Interim director for the Office of Economic [email protected] P.O. Box 2556 Development www.sbdc-longwood.com Lebanon, Va. 24266 (540) 231-5278 Shannon R. Blevins [email protected] Director of the Office of Economic www.econdev.vt.edu Development

ADVERTISING VIRGINIA BUSINESS S11 VIRGINIA SITE SELECTION GUIDE VIRGINIA SITE SELECTION GUIDE VIRGINIA SITE SELECTION GUIDE A sampling of Virginia’s recent economic development announcements (2010-2011)

SOUTHWEST: CENTRAL VIRGINIA Lynchburg: J. Crew Group Inc. is expanding its Lynchburg facility by 100,000 Franklin County: An expansion by Cavco Albemarle County: CustomInk plans to square feet with a $20.3 million investment, Industries, a housing manufacturer and expand its silk screen printing and custom creating 177 jobs. vacation cabin producer, will create 149 apparel company with a $1.4 million jobs. investment, creating 120 jobs. Richmond: Health Diagnostic Laboratory creating 213 jobs through its $4.2 million Montgomery County: Modea, an Caroline County: McKesson Corp., a expansion. advertising agency, is building a new health-care product distributor, opening a corporate headquarters. The $10 million new distribution center. This $57 million expansion is expected to create 200 jobs. investment will create 150 jobs. SHENANDOAH VALLEY

Pulaski County: Phoenix Packaging Chesterfield County: Media Synergy Staunton: Cadence Inc. created 65 jobs Operations is expanding its manufacturing is opening a new customer call center, with a $15.9 million expansion. plant, creating 100 jobs. creating 772 jobs. Harrisonburg: Tenneco Inc. is making a Roanoke: Railroad freight car manufacturer Culpeper County: EURO-COMPOSITES $3.2 million investment to expand 80,000 Freightcar America Inc. is restarting its Corp. opening its first location in square feet. This will create 58 jobs. idled plant, creating 200 jobs. America, which will serve as its national headquarters. This $11.25 million Waynesboro: PPI/Time Zero Inc. Washington County: $20.4 million investment will create 70 jobs. spending $1.15 million on a new expansion for food distributor K-VA-T Food manufacturing and distribution Stores Inc., creating 25 jobs. Henrico County: Capital One is spending center, creating 65 jobs. $21.6 million to expand its operations, SOUTHERN VIRGINIA which will create 700 jobs. Winchester: $28.3 million expansion for O’Sullivan Films Danville: United States Green Energy Henrico County: GE opening a new security Inc., creating 174 jobs. moving its manufacturing operations to IT center with a $2.5 million investment, Danville with a $30 million investment, creating 200 jobs. creating 372 jobs.

Henry County: ICF International opening its new Business Process Management operations center in a $15 million project that will create 539 jobs.

BUCHANAN virginia NOTES: coalfield Members of the Virginia DICKENSON TAZEWELL Coalfield Economic economic Development Authority include WISE the counties of Lee, Wise, development Scott, Buchanan, Russell, Norton authority Tazewell and Dickenson and RUSSELL the City of Norton. SOUTHWEST LEE SCOTT VIRGINIA

S12 AUGUST 2011 ADVERTISING VIRGINIA SITE SELECTION GUIDE VIRGINIA SITE SELECTION GUIDE VIRGINIA SITE SELECTION GUIDE HAMPTON ROADS Virginia Beach: $100,000 expansion for presses used in recycling, is moving its KITCO Fiber Optics, creating 128 jobs. headquarters, creating 195 jobs. Chesapeake: Gryphon Technologies creating 139 jobs through an expansion. Stafford County: GEICO Corp. is creating NORTHERN VIRGINIA 280 jobs. Hampton: TRG Customer Solutions spending $3 million to expand its Arlington County: Catapult Consultants LLC Source: The Virginia Economic Development Partnership operations, creating 120 jobs. expansion will create 100 jobs.

Isle of Wight County: International Paper Fairfax County: Chenega Federal Systems investing $83 million to reopen part of its LLC, an engineering, military, and INDEX former paper mill. This is creating 213 jobs. intelligence operations company, is creating 530 jobs in a $1 million expansion. SOUTHWEST virginia Norfolk: Katoen Natie spending $12 million to convert Virginia Coalfield ...... S14 a former Ford Loudoun County: Mil-Tek USA, a Economic Development . manufacturing plant distributor of balers and waste Authority into a warehousing and distribution operation, creating central virginia 225 jobs. Richmond...... S16 Economic Development Partnership SHENANDOAH NORTHERN SHENANDOAH VALLEY VALLEY VIRGINIA Harrisonburg...... S18 HAMPTON ROADS Harrisonburg Hampton...... S19 Norfolk...... S20 Innovation Research ...... S21 Park @ ODU Virginia Beach ...... S22 Economic Greater Development richmond CENTRAL partnership VIRGINIA Richmond HAMPTON Hampton ROADS Norfolk SOUTHERN VIRGINIA BEACH ECONOMIC VIRGINIA DEVELOPMENT

ADVERTISING VIRGINIA BUSINESS S13 SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA SOUTHWESTVIRGINIA’S VIRGINIA SOUTHWEST e-REGION VIRGINIA SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA Virginia’s e-Region: electronic IT, energy, education ired of battling traffic congestion a growing technology-savvy workforce, to develop training programs, while sup- and the high cost of doing busi- Virginia’s e-Region is fast becoming porting and developing the workforce Tness in a major metropolitan area, known as the place to be. and planning for the accompanying qual- but still need to operate your business in Key attributes of Virginia’s ity of life issues of the next 20 years. an area ready to support high technol- e-Region as a business location Fast track educational programs for ogy jobs? Perhaps you should consider are electronic information technol- high technology jobs, a new software Virginia’s e-Region, located in beautiful ogy, energy, education and emerg- engineering bachelor’s degree program, southwestern Virginia. ing technologies. Another factor is the outstanding new business technology Built on solid energy resources region’s response to a growing IT pres- parks and new energy-related projects and propelled by IT giants Northrop ence, its leadership in making last-mile are leading to growth in Virginia’s Grumman and CGI, who have chosen broadband connectivity a reality and as- e-Region — and helping to spread this dynamic location for their multi- sistance with new and existing business the word about this energetic U.S. million-dollar technology centers, and expansion. The region works together business location. Highlights include: Electronic Information Technology • Technology training centers, the Dickenson Center for • Northrop Grumman, with nearly 200 employees, Education and Research and the Southwest Virginia operates its Southwest Enterprise Solutions Center in a Technology Development Center, operate here. new technology park in Lebanon, Virginia. Employment is • A law school and pharmacy school operate in the expected to grow to 400. region; a new optometry school is under development; a • Software developer CGI is operating the Southwest dental school is being planned. Virginia Center of Excellence in Lebanon, and employs nearly 400. Emerging Technologies • OnePartner, LLC operates the Advanced Technology & • Leading manufacturers such as Tempur-Pedic®, Pyott- Applications Center in Duffield, Virginia, a Certified Tier Boone Electronics, and Mullican Flooring operate in the III commercial data center. region. • Virginia’s e-Region is considered a trendsetter in • Community colleges offer manufacturing technology broadband access in rural America with millions degrees and customized training. invested in deploying fiber optics throughout the region. • New business and technology parks and buildings are available. Energy • Coal and natural gas resources play a critical role in Located in beautiful southwestern Virginia less than a national energy and economic security. day’s drive from over half the nation’s population, Virginia’s • Dominion Power is constructing the $1.8 billion Virginia e-Region is ready to help businesses find solutions. We would City Hybrid Energy Center in Wise County, on target to love to show you first hand how expanding to Virginia’s open in July 2012. e-Region can benefit your business and your employees’ • The Appalachia America Energy Research Center has quality of life. opened in the Lonesome Pine Regional Business & Technology Park in Wise, Virginia. Virginia’s e-Region is marketed by the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA), Education a unique regional organization established • The University of Virginia’s College at Wise offers the to help enhance and diversify the region’s only undergraduate software engineering program in economy. Check us out on the web at Virginia and one of only a few nationally. www.e-Region.org. Email us at visitus@e- • Regional community colleges offer FastTrack Region.org. Or call us for information or information technology education. to schedule a visit to Virginia’s e-Region at 800-735-9999.

S14 AUGUST 2011 ADVERTISING Appalachia America Dickenson County Technology Park Energy Research Center

Bluestone Regional Business & Technology Center

Scott County Regional Business & Technology Park

Technology has its place.

In new parks and buildings in Virginia’s e-Region. Expand on-shore in beautiful southwestern Virginia. We have new business parks and buildings, with access to redundant high-speed broadband and low-cost power, plus an available and trained technology workforce. Come join companies like Northrop Grumman and CGI which are operating here in multi-million dollar technology centers, and leading manufacturers such as Tempur-Pedic®. We also are home to one of the nation’s only Tier III commercial data centers certified by the Uptime electronic information technology, Institute and Virginia’s only bachelor’s degree in software engineering. energy, education, emerging technologies Recruiting topnotch talent is not a problem, and the quality of life is exceptional with no traffic congestion. 1.800.735.9999 Come visit and see for yourself. There’s no better place for www.e-Region.org on-shoring than Virginia’s e-Region. We’re ready for you. [email protected]

Virginia’s e-Region is marketed by the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority.

vceda-tech-VAbus_2011.indd 1 7/14/11 4:39 PM CENTRAL VIRGINIAGREATER CENTRAL VIRGINIA RICHMOND CENTRAL VIRGINIA PARTNERSHIP CENTRAL VIRGINIA CENTRAL VIRGINIA Greater Richmond in the headlines March Madness 2011 put Richmond Location played into Emerson Eco- in the national media spotlight thanks to logics decision to locate in the region as Virginia Commonwealth University and well. “The Richmond area was selected the University of Richmond’s run to for our new Eastern distribution center the Sweet 16 and then VCU to the Fi- based on many factors, including the nal Four. It was the kind of publicity that ability to reach a majority of our East can’t be bought, and Greater Richmond and Midwest doctors via small parcel was electric with energy. ground shipping in two days,” said Andy The challenge, of course, is to keep Greenawalt, CEO of Emerson Ecologics. Greater Richmond in a “top of mind” Since 1994, the Greater Richmond position. Fortunately, national publi- Partnership, Inc. has played a key role cations continue to give high ranking in the attraction of more than $7.3 billion accolades like Foreign Direct Investment in investment by 403 new and expand- (fDi) Magazine ranking Richmond the ing companies. To read more headline 2011-12 Best Small American City of news about Greater Richmond, Vir- the Future. CNBC ranked Virginia as ginia and exciting business activity, visit: America’s “Top State for Business”. www.grpva.com. Other recent headline news included GE’s decision to locate its Information Security Technology Center in Greater Richmond. Talent was a key RICHMOND concern for GE executives, who were sold on Greater Richmond’s: Accolades: • solid base of IT professionals who have the cyber security skill set; • Virginia named America’s “Top • colleges and universities who have a State for Business” by CNBC, 2011. willingness and ability to expand curriculum to educate and train new • Foreign Direct Investment (fDi) talent; Magazine’s North American Cities • fantastic community making it easier of the Future 2011/12, ranked for businesses to recruit new talent. Richmond as: - Best Small American Successfully recruiting talent to City of the Future Greater Richmond has not been an - 3rd Top Small Cities FDI issue for the 11 Fortune 1000 companies Strategy headquartered in the region, nor for the - 5th overall for Small other internationally acclaimed compa- Cities Business Friendliness nies such as Capital One, DuPont, Qu- bicaAMF Worldwide and Martin Agency • 4th among 10 best cities for that represent the thriving diversity of commuters, Kiplinger.com, 2011. industries. Tonya Mallory, Health Diagnostic company decisions. For example, Ger- • 7th best metro center for Laboratory, Inc.’s co-founder and chief man company abakus solar AG recently business, rated by Wall Street executive officer, said all but a few of chose Richmond for its first US expan- Journal’s MarketWatch.com, the people the company has hired are sion. December 2010. from Virginia. HDL is the fastest-growing “Access to the Port and being at company in the Virginia BioTechnology the crossroads of I-95 and I-64 were • Top 10 cities for IT professionals Research Park. It was founded in 2009 critical for our decision to locate in Rich- to live in, Microsoft Certified and has grown from a staff of 11 people mond. If accessibility is what you need, Professionals Magazine, to about 180 employees. why locate anywhere else?” said James December 2010. Greater Richmond’s location in Huff, CEO of abakus solar USA, which the middle of the East Coast has been imports modules to Richmond for solar major deciding factor for other recent panel installation.

S16 AUGUST 2011 ADVERTISING Photo by Adrienne Reaves-TaylorPhoto credit Businesses are drawn to Greater Richmond 11 Fortune 1000 companies call Greater Richmond home Both small business and Fortune giants nd the Greater Richmond region an ideal location. GE, MWV, Sabra Dipping Co. and SuperValu are just some of the businesses who have chosen Greater Richmond for growth and success. Locate your business in Greater Richmond. 80% of new economic activity is from our existing businesses Companies who call our region home can rely on Business First Greater Richmond to connect them with a network of resources to support growth and address challenges. Connect and grow your business in Greater Richmond. Workforce is our region’s #1 selling point Businesses depend on a strong, talented workforce. RichmondJobNet helps keep and attract talent in Greater Richmond. It is an online career resource center that simpli es the job search process. Get job listings, career tools, events calendar, and tips for job seekers. Find your career in Greater Richmond.

The Greater Richmond Partnership, Inc. works to grow the region’s economy through the attraction of new jobs and investment and by supporting existing businesses. As the region’s economic development organization, we serve the City of Richmond and the counties of Chesterfield, Hanover and Henrico. To learn more, visit www.grpva.com. Get Connected. SHENANDOAH VALLEY CITYSHENANDOAH CITY/COUNTYof VALLEYHARRISONBURG SHENANDOAH VALLEY SHENANDOAH VALLEY CITY of HAMPTON Innovation at work arrisonburg is an innovative science and engineering. apartments and 20,000 square feet of city that fosters new business. The city is proud to be the home of office/retail space. The Colonnades at HIts planned growth model and James Madison University (JMU), which Rocktown is a four-story mixed use strong infrastructure are ideal for build- now has a student population of ap- project completed in October 2010. ing both a company and a career. Har- proximately 18,500. JMU is clearly an This development includes 66 residen- risonburg’s pro-business government economic engine for the city and entire tial units and 20,000 square feet of first actively seeks and supports technology Shenandoah Valley. Recent capital proj- floor retail/office space. Harris Corpo- firms and start-up companies, attracting ects, including the Forbes Performing ration opened its Tier 3 Cyber Integra- quality businesses to grow and thrive. Arts Center, expansion of Bridgeforth tion Center in Harrisburg in May. The Harrisonburg-Rockingham MSA Stadium, and the Port Republic Road Explore More Discovery Museum has received tremendous investments athletic fields, total approximately $200 opened its doors in downtown Harri- from both new and existing employers. million of new investment. JMU peren- sonburg in November and has enter- SRI International, one of the founders of nially ranks as one of the top region- tained over 30,000 curious visitors in its Silicon Valley, has established its Center al universities in the South, and also as first 6 months. for Advanced Drug Research (CADRE) one of the best values in higher educa- Employers are quickly discover- here. Rosetta Stone, the world’s pre- tion. As a result, James Madison Univer- ing the tremendous assets available in mier language learning software pro- sity is one of the top Virginia schools of the Harrisonburg area. Ideally situated ducer, employs nearly 500 associates in choice. two hours from Washington, D.C. and downtown Harrisonburg and continues Downtown Harrisonburg has ex- Richmond, the Shenandoah Valley of- to aggressively hire. Serco operates a perienced dramatic growth over the fers a great quality of life, a highly skilled classification center within the Harri- past several years. Urban Exchange, a workforce and a robust technology in- sonburg Technology Park as a contrac- five-story mixed use development with frastructure. Come explore what Har- tor for the U.S. Patent & Trademark Of- underground parking, was completed in risonburg has to offer you and your fice, employing 115 classifiers trained in 2009. The development includes 194 business.

Stop Searching, Start Finding.

Everything your business needs to grow and thrive is in Harrisonburg, VA – access to major markets, a growing technology base, an educated workforce, business and university partnerships, and a 5-star rated quality of life. Visit HarrisonburgDevelopment.com today to find your perfect Harrisonburg location with our new property locator.

Harrisonburg Department of Economic Development • 540-432-7736 • [email protected]

S18 AUGUST 2011 ADVERTISING CITY/COUNTY HAMPTONHAMPTON ROADSROADS HAMPTONHAMPTONCITY ROADSROADSCITY/COUNTY of HAMPTONHAMPTON HAMPTON ROADSROADS HAMPTONHAMPTON ROADSROADS HAMPTONHAMPTON ROADSROADS A high-tech city in an idyllic location entrally located on the East Coast, also located in Virginia Enterprise Zones which provides employer-driven workforce services Hampton is strategically positioned provides state and local incentives to qualified and offers world-class training programs, high- near major interstates and transporta- businesses. tech facilities and a team of experienced profes- C tion arteries that allow you to easily reach your sionals to meet training needs. Workforce customers. Hampton is within 700 miles (1167 Hampton has an ample pool of highly educat- Incentives km) of 60 percent of the US population and ed, skilled labor with more than 13,000 depart- The City of Hampton offers a variety of in- its proximity to the Port of Hampton Roads ing military personnel entering the workforce centives to assist small and large businesses. For allows easy access to the rest of the world. annually. The regional civilian labor force is in more information please visit www.hamptonva. Interstates 64 and 664 converge in Hamp- excess of 800,000. The city is home to the Pen- biz or call the City of Hampton Department of ton, providing excellent access to two in- insula Workforce Development Center, which Economic Development at (757) 727-6237. ternational airports and Interstates 95 and 85. Richmond, Virginia, the state’s capital, is one hour away and Washington, D.C., the nation’s capital is three hours away.

Quality of Life For the eighth year in a row, the city was named one of the most technology-advanced cities in the nation by the Center for Digital Gov- ernment - 2009 Digital Cities Survey. Hampton has also been named one of the top 20 hot spots for young professionals to live and work as ranked by Next Generation Consulting, 2009. There are an abundance of things to see and do in Hampton. Because of its unique offerings and central location, the Peninsula Town Center has become a premier regional destination. Hampton also has a vibrant arts community, distinctive festivals, signature events and cultural attractions.

Industry Clusters A unique mix of growing and established industry clusters such as aerospace, sensors, modeling and simulation, communications, medical, homeland security and defense are thriving in Hampton. Their prosperity is due, in part, to local and regional assets, a highly educated workforce,

and state-of-the-art business parks. HAMPTON UNIVERSITY PROTON THERAPY First-rate local assets, including NASA Lang- INSTITUTE ley Research Center, Langley Air Force Base, Hampton University, the National Institute of Aerospace and Hampton University’s Proton Therapy Institute, help cultivate these clusters. The NASA Langley Research Center recently completed a $28 million headquarters building. The innovative and environmentally friendly building is expected to receive LEED gold cer- tification. NASA has embarked on a 15-year facility modernization program at its Langley Research Center, known as New Town, and has a estimated construction cost of $250 million. The National Institute of Aerospace is building a 60,000-square-foot, state-of-art laboratory and innovation center made possible through a partnership with the Commonwealth of Virginia and the City of Hampton.

Business Parks Hampton’s business parks are all CoxSmart parks, offering the most popular communications solutions over one network. All parks are

ADVERTISING VIRGINIA BUSINESS S19 HAMPTON ROADS HAMPTON ROADSCITY HAMPTON of NORFOLK ROADS HAMPTON ROADS HAMPTON ROADS Delivering the world Global commerce, government contractors and manufactur- tax credit provides a $50 per TEU in- high performance ers utilizing maritime/intermodal trans- come tax credit for manufactured goods Norfolk is positioned to become portation, businesses in need of a top that increase your port cargo volume by more accessible to global markets as the tier modeling and simulation workforce, 5 percent in a single year. The 5 percent Port of Virginia continues to expand and biomedical and aerospace technologies, requirement is waived for a major facility replenish capacity. Intermodal transport renewable energy and advanced materi- locating in Virginia that will import or ex- of double-stacked containers via the als manufacturers, as well as satellite of- port in excess of 25,000 TEUs in its first new Norfolk Southern Heartland Cor- fice users. Virginia’s top business climate year in the Commonwealth. Shippers can ridor cuts 250 miles off Midwest shipping attracts corporate headquarters. Norfolk benefit by taking advantage of the inter- routes. Our stable economy is strength- is ranked in the top ten by fDi magazine national trade facility tax credit, which ened by our global commerce trade as “a city of the future” in the Americas grants a $3,000 income tax credit for ev- assets and powerful military. Specialized for Foreign Direct Investment strategy ery employee hired by a Virginia shipper services and technologically-advanced and overall opportunity. that results from increased cargo moving logistical and systems support provide through the port. They can also choose unique competitive advantages on a New tax credits support trade to receive a credit of 2 percent of the world scale. Three new tax credits have been put cost of any capital improvement that fa- in place to help you get a quicker return cilitates increased cargo moving through A premier business location on your investment, whether you are a the port. Norfolk is the forward-thinking busi- manufacturer, shipper, or distributor. The ness, art and cultural, educational, and barge and rail use tax credit provides a Active ingredients medical center of the region. Our region’s $25 per TEU (20-foot equivalent unit) in- Contact us if you are interested in living strategic location is a target for foreign, come tax credit for shippers who trans- and making a living in a friendly, historic, new economy and energy security inves- fer their containers to and from the Port stable, smart, prosperous and beauti- tors. Industries seeking comfortable tran- of Virginia via barge or rail — a greener ful location. We welcome you and your sition and expansion to the area include way to ship. The port volume increase ideas.

Active Ingredients. The World’s Largest Naval Base East Coast’s Deepest Port for Panama Canal Expansion« 2014 Heartland Corridor Opens for Double-Stacked Container Trains New Opportunities for Offshore Wind R&D « New Federal HUBZone and Virginia Enterprise Zone Incentives« New Major Transportation Initiatives & Passenger Rail Coming Engaging Collaborative University Partnerships Free Expert Business Training & Start-Up Seminars Vibrant Downtown Waterfront with Light Rail Affordable Living Plus Energizing Arts & Entertainment Scene Find the Solution: Visit Our Websites norfolkdevelopment.com norfolknavigator.com ————————————— 757-664-4338

See us on Facebook

DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENT

S20NorDevVABiz1-2pg2011.indd AUGUST 1 2011 ADVERTISING 7/12/11 1:11 PM HAMPTON ROADSINNOVATION HAMPTON ROADS RESEARCH HAMPTON ROADS PARK HAMPTON ROADS@ ODU HAMPTON ROADS Innovation Research Park @ ODU: your gateway to university assets nnovation Research Park @ ODU has been search, business mentoring, and new product region. IRP was intentionally located within carefully planned as the platform for le- development. These centers are creating a a 75-acre, $350 million mixed-use economic Iveraging the intellectual capital, innovation, “cluster multiplier effect” as companies locate development project known as University and infrastructure of Old Dominion Uni- in IRP to be near this research and use the Village that is home to shops, restaurants, a versity into an economic development asset intellectual capital, innovative ideas and unique hotel, bookstore, and a major entertainment for the City of Norfolk, the Hampton Roads infrastructure of ODU to grow their compa- complex. region, and the Commonwealth of Virginia. nies. Another advantage of IRP’s location is While it currently includes two, world-class, Central to these efforts is the ODU Busi- that it sits in Hub, Enterprise, and Empower- 100,000-square-foot buildings, IRP is far more ness Gateway, an anchor tenant in IRP. The ment Zones. The Park’s presence in these than real estate. Business Gateway is a comprehensive suite of zones has attracted jobs and opportunities to Innovation Research Park @ ODU has business and entrepreneurial consulting and a previously distressed and underserved area been “seeded” with university-affiliated re- services, manufacturing and technology solu- of Norfolk. Moreover, IRP’s developer, Wex- search centers to attract companies for col- tions, training and professional development, ford Science + Technology, received new mar- laborative research, commercialization, and and veterans business outreach and procure- ket tax credits for construction of Building II. translational opportunities that are well-suit- ment assistance that provide companies and Wexford took $200,000 of these credits and ed to the strengths of the university and the organizations a single entry point to engage donated them to the local Community Devel- needs of the Hampton Roads area. the intellectual capital, innovative technologies, opment Corporation to help provide housing ODU research centers, such as the Frank and world-class infrastructure of Old Domin- services in the surrounding community. Reidy Center for Bioelectrics, the National ion University to solve business problems, From small offices to flexible, ready-now Centers of Systems of Systems Engineering, create new offerings, and unlock operational wet lab space, to larger build-to-suit foot- and the nearby Virginia Modeling Analysis and efficiencies. prints, Innovation Research Park @ ODU can Simulation Center, are attracting companies Since its inception, Innovation Research meet the needs of companies from start-up interested in more than just tech transfer; and Park @ ODU was designed to provide eco- through maturity and is becoming an impor- are engaging the university in everything from nomic development benefits to ODU, the tant job and economic development driver hiring graduates, conducting collaborative re- City of Norfolk and the Hampton Roads for the Hampton Roads region.

Innovation Research Park @ ODU currently consists of two 100,000 sq. ft. Class A office/wet/dry lab buildings located within the 75-acre, mixed-use University Village on the campus of Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. IRP was designed to leverage the access, proximity, and infrastructure of ODU, the surrounding federal labs, and military centers to aid companies at every point in their life cycle. To balance work and life, IRP also has programs that allow tenants to use university health club, tennis, golf, sailing, recreational and other amenities, in addition to the shopping, dining and entertainment offerings found in the University Village.

For Leasing Opportunities Contact Don Crigger p: 757.228.1847 e: [email protected]

WWW.IRPODU.COM

ADVERTISING VIRGINIA BUSINESS S21 HAMPTONVIRGINIA ROADS HAMPTON BEACH ROADS HAMPTONECONOMIC ROADS HAMPTON DEVELOPMENT ROADS HAMPTON ROADS Virginia Beach – best state for business has a new hub Powerful forces at work Virginia Beach is built on innovation and partnerships. It has the largest concentra- tion of military installations in the country and is a magnet for defense-related industries. Being known as the ‘Pentagon of the South’ has attracted ADS Inc., AMSEC, Al- lied Technology Services, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and VT Milcom to name a few.

Where Business Meets Pleasure Virginia Beach is also one of the best irginia Beach, Virginia’s most populous GEICO, Avis Budget Group, Operation Smile places for the outdoors according to Forbes city, works hard to reinforce the Com- and LifeNet Health to bring manufacturing, magazine with miles of shoreline, scenic wa- Vmonwealth’s stake as the best state technology, service and biomedical experts terways and biking trails. The city has also for business. So hard in fact, we call it the to the city and synergy for businesses wishing been ranked as the second best place to best city for business. Virginia Beach has an to do business with these giants. raise a family in America by Best Life maga- impressive position in the global marketplace, Virginia Beach ranks as one of the best zine and is one of the safest cities in the and the list of international companies that places to get a job because of the opportuni- country. With a landscape ranging from call Virginia Beach home port is impressive as ties for highly skilled workers. Virginia Beach’s oceanfront beach houses to urban lofts or well. corporate employers offer competitive wag- country homes, businesses, visitors and resi- International brands such as STIHL In- es with a cost of living that is 70 percent that dents can experience a choice of lifestyles corporated, MG minigears, Carraro, BMZ of Washington D.C. Add in our coastal envi- that’s right for them. To learn more about GmbH and Hermes Abrasives work along- ronment, and you have the ideal climate for the forecast in Virginia Beach, visit us at yes- side national brands such as AMERIGROUP, success. virginiabeach.com or call 800-989-4567.

Perhaps it’s the laid back lifestyle or warming ocean breezes. Or just maybe it’s our resilient local economy with a healthy military presence, our high-tech infrastructure, low taxes, skilled workforce and pro business mindset. So plan a trip and see how these powerful forces work together. PowerfulForcesAtWork.com • 800.989.4567

S22 AUGUST 2011 ADVERTISING ONE DAY Thursday, October 6, 2011

ONE PLACE Greater Richmond Convention Center

SO MANY CHOICES Over 150 Hotels, Destinations and Industry Suppliers

For more information and to register, visit www.vsae.org

VSAE Expo Ad white.indd 1 6/10/2011 10:56:36 AM THE PORT OF VIRGINIA

WHAT SETS US APART BRINGS THE WORLD CLOSER TOGETHER

Norfolk International Terminals . Newport News Marine Terminal . Portsmouth Marine Terminal . APM Terminals Virginia . Virginia Inland Port

No other port combines cost-saving efficiencies with cutting-edge technology innovation like The Port of Virginia. With 24-hour container turnarounds, Suez cranes, and next-day doublestack rail to Midwest markets, The Port is your best choice for business no matter where you are coming from.

To learn how to get closer to your markets, call 800.446.8098 or visit portofvirginia.com

600 World Trade Center . Norfolk, VA 23510 . 757.683.8000 . 800.446.8098 . www.portofvirginia.com

1543-21_WTC_8.5x11.indd 1 9/7/10 12:46 PM