VirginiaEconomic

Bridge

A Resourcefor the

CommonwealthSecretary of Commerce & Trade Jim Cheng and

Senior Economic Advisor Bob SleddRichmond VAApril 6, 2010

Virginia Economic Bridge

Agenda

Greetings and Introductions

VEB - Research, Recruitment and Retention

Public/Private Partnerships and Programs

Secretary Cheng’s Perspective on Economic Development for the Commonwealth

Moving Forward to Meet the Future

Virginia Economic Bridge

…a self sustaining non profit organization that promotes the

economic vitality of the Commonwealth through business, economic and workforce development

initiatives.

Virginia Economic Bridge

Mission & VisionOur MissionVirginia Economic Bridge, Inc., promotes the economic vitality and external

competitiveness of the Commonwealth through business, industry and educational partnerships between Southwestern Virginia, Northern Virginia and other regions of the Commonwealth.

Our VisionVirginia Economic Bridge, Inc,. will become the advocate of and provide leadership

for: • A Shared Vision for Economic Development in SWVA, NOVA and Other

Locations• A Productive Coalition among SWVA, NOVA and Other Local, State, and

Federal Officers and Business Leaders • A Marketing Campaign which Promotes Needs and Benefits in Bridge

Regions • An Improved Infrastructure for Technology, Transportation and Education

Since 1989, Virginia Economic Bridge, Inc., has been working towards strategic goals that continue to bring together Virginia’s business leaders to build a sense of “common wealth”. Our goal is to ensure that Virginia is prepared to meet the business, economic and workforce challenges of this century and beyond.

Virginia Economic Bridge

Virginia Economic Bridge

Virginia Economic Bridge

What do we do well…?

Tackle the Big Issues!

Virginia Economic Bridge

What do we do well…?Strategic Research

• Qualitative and Quantitative ResearchProject Management

• Assessment• Project Planning• Development• Budgeting & Financial Management• Facilitation

Virginia Economic Bridge

What do we do well…?Information Technology

• Website Evaluations, Web Design, Shopping Cart Systems, Content Management Systems, Search Engine Optimization and Hosting

• Online Survey Development, Facilitation & Hosting

• Database Design, Development, Management & Documentation

• Computer Programming

Virginia Economic Bridge

What do we do well…?Marketing

• Networking• Social Media Applications• Media Relations• Electronic Communication• Publication Design• Graphic Design• Newsletter Design

Virginia Economic Bridge

What do we do well…?• Research

• Recruitment

• Retention

that leads to

Job Creation & Economic Development

VirginiaEconomic

Bridge

A Resourcefor the

Commonwealth

Virginia Economic Bridge

Virginia Economic Bridge

The Web Portal for Southwest Virginia

Virginia Economic Bridge

Virginia Economic Bridge

www.VirginiaBusiness.org

Virginia Economic Bridge

VirginiaEconomic

Bridge

A Resourcefor the

Commonwealth

http://www.virginiabusiness.org:81/financial/

Virginia Economic Bridge

Virginia Economic Bridge

Virginia Economic Bridge

Used for training and assessing individuals to become teleworkers

Used as mediator between companies looking to hire independent contractors

Will aggregate efforts of multiple sites and organizations to attract and retain individuals able to telework in the region

Site for regional resources, efforts and a functional site for posting telework jobs and teleworkers’ resumes

Linked TeleWorkforce Connections

Virginia Economic Bridge

Return to Roots

www.ReturntoRoots.org & www.RTRSoVA.orgThe information portals and networks for Career

Seekers, Employers and Communities inSouthwest & Southern Virginia

Virginia Economic BridgeA Web Portal for Communities! Post your Resume, Find a Job!

Post your Job, Find an employeeAccess Business Resources

Seek Higher Education OpportunitiesView Community Attractions

Read News & Find InformationFind High School Reunions

www.ReturntoRoots.org & www.RTRSoVA.org

Virginia Economic Bridge

Moving Forward to Meet the Future

Historical Agency PartnershipsDepartment of Business Assistance

Department of Minority Business EnterpriseDepartment of Education

Department of HealthVirginia Economic Development Partnership

Potential PartnershipsDepartment of General Services- HUB Zone Program

Virginia Economic Bridge

A Model for Addressing the Challenges and Opportunities

Virginia Economic Bridge’s Consortium on Entrepreneurial Innovation

Virginia Economic Bridge

THANK YOU! for listening…

Please feel free to contact me…

Carl E. Mitchell, MSPhone 540.731.6800

Email: cmitchell@vebinc.org