AGENDA DATE: 9/7/2016
TITLE:
Title
Resolution of Support for Virginia Initiative for Growth & Opportunity (GO Virginia)
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: A request from the Central Virginia Partnership for Economic Development (CVPED) for the County’s support in designating CVPED as the lead organization to execute the GO Virginia Initiative for Planning Districts 9 and 10.
ITEM TYPE: Consent Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Foley, Kamptner, McClintic
PRESENTER (S): N/A
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
REVIEWED BY: Thomas C. Foley
BACKGROUND: The Central Virginia Partnership for Economic Development serves as the regional economic development organization for all of Planning District 10 (Charlottesville and the counties of Albemarle, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa and Nelson) and most of the counties in Planning District 9 (Culpeper, Madison and Orange). Since the GO Virginia initiative was first introduced in 2015, the CVPED Board has taken an active role in creating awareness and informing Partnership members about the new State program that was formally approved and funded by the General Assembly during the 2016 session.
The Virginia Initiative for Growth and Opportunity in each region (GO Virginia) was initiated by the Virginia Business Higher Education Council (VBHEC) and the Council on Virginia’s Future to foster private-sector growth and job creation through State incentives for regional collaboration by business, education, and government. Recognizing the harsh effect of deep federal budget cuts on a Virginia economy that is overly dependent on public sector jobs, business leaders formed the GO Virginia campaign to work for regional cooperation on private-sector growth, job creation, and career readiness. Bipartisan and business-led, the coalition favors State incentives to encourage effective collaboration among business, education, and government in each region, providing a framework for implementation of the private sector-focused strategies of leading business organizations and political leaders in both parties.
On February 19, 2016, the Partnership Board unanimously approved a resolution of support for GO Virginia (attached) and followed that by adopting the recommendation of the regional GO Virginia Planning Team, which also included the Executive Director of the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission, at its annual meeting on June 24th. The Planning Team recommended that the CVPED Board serve as the lead organization for GO Virginia, assuming that Planning Districts 9 and 10 are combined into one GO Virginia region.
Since the State’s GO Virginia Board appointments were just announced on August 15, 2016, localities and regional organizations are still waiting for the State to provide guidelines on the appointment process for the regional GO Virginia Boards (“Regional Councils”); however, it is the intent of the CVPED Board and Planning District 9 and 10 leadership for the CVPED to serve as the regional administrator. The Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission and the Rappahannock-Rapidan Regional Commission will provide regional planning coordination with the Regional Council, with each also having a seat on the Regional Council. The remaining seats on the Council will be determined once the guidelines on the appointment process are released later this year - tentatively October/November.
STRATEGIC PLAN:
Goal 4 - Economic Prosperity: Foster an environment that stimulates diversified job creation, capital investments, and tax revenues that support community goals
DISCUSSION: The Central Virginia Partnership Board is requesting the County’s support in designating it as the lead organization for GO Virginia in Planning Districts 9 and 10. As a regional economic development organization serving Albemarle County and other localities in the area, the Partnership’s main focus - fostering collaboration to promote economic growth and job creation in the region - aligns exactly with the GO Virginia initiative. The Partnership has led a successful collaboration of public, private, and educational stakeholders for two decades and is uniquely positioned to foster the regional cooperation required to successfully execute GO Virginia.
BUDGET IMPACT: There is no budget impact.
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the Board adopt the attached Resolution of Support (Attachment C).
ATTACHMENTS:
A - Resolution of Support adopted by CVPED Board
B - Frequently Asked Questions from GO Virginia.org website
C - Board of Supervisor’s Resolution of Support