Mayor Jones Announces Richmond's Eligibility to Pursue Federal EDA Funding

Mayor Dwight C. Jones' resolution to validate the City Administration's process for completing a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) was adopted by Richmond City Council during its final session of 2010. CEDS is an analytical document, which considers important economic development assets and opportunities, such as infrastructure, workforce development, target industries, and others. While the CEDS is an important tool to help the City achieve its economic development goals, it is also a prerequisite for access to many of the funding opportunities through the EDA. Richmond's approved CEDS strategy has now been submitted to the Economic Development Administration (EDA) of the U.S. Department of Commerce. To read the full CEDS, please click here.

Richmond Receives Award for Environmental Pioneering Work

The city of Richmond received the Sierra Club Falls of the James Group's Green Giant Award for it's environmental pioneering work, as it is the first major locality in the region to hire a sustainability manager and an energy manager to develop a comprehensive program to improve overall energy performance and increase sustainability. Among other items, the comprehensive program includes establishing a baseline greenhouse gas emissions inventory, retrofitting 220 intersections with LED lights by the end of 2010, and creating two new green alleys with permeable pavers to reduce storm water run-off. To read the full story through the Alliance for Innovation website, please click here.

Mayor Jones Opens "RVA on Ice"

Richmond's newest downtown attraction opened to the public Wednesday, December 22, 2010. Mayor Dwight C. Jones opened the new outdoor seasonal ice skating rink "RVA on Ice" to an excited group of citizens eager to watch the professional ice skaters perform and take on turn on the rink as well. Click here to view a video from CBS 6 News' Mark Holmberg during the opening celebration and read about visiting details.

Richmond Represents USA in Bid for 1015 Cycling World Championship

On Tuesday, December 21, 2010 Mayor Dwight C. Jones announced the City of Richmond's bid to the International Cycling Union (UCI) to host the 2015 World Championship. To view the Mayor's announcement, please click here. To read an article regarding USA's bid in Cycling Weekly, please click here.

Richmond CenterStage Receives National Award for Historic Renovation and Reconstruction

Richmond CenterStage was recently awarded by Building Design and Construction Magazine the 2010 Reconstruction Award. Wilson Butler Architects and the building and construction teams at Gilbane Building Company and Christman Construction worked together to design and build this regional performing arts center, including the renovation of the historic Carpenter Theatre. "This award once again reminds Richmonders how fortunate we are to have a world-class performing arts facility in our backyard," said CenterStage Foundation Executive Director Richard M. Parison, Jr. "We are grateful to be recognized and proud to be such an integral part of the revitalization of Downtown Richmond." The City of Richmond is the owner/developer of the property. To read more more, please click here.

GRTC New Headquarters Honored with Industrial Project of the Year

The Greater Richmond Transit Co.'s new $37-milion Bus Operations and Maintenance Facility located in Richmond won Mid-Atlantic Construction's honor of Industrial Project of the Year. The GRTC system is the oldest mass transportation system in the United States. After over 100 years of operating out if its Cary Street facilities, GRTC needed a 21st century facility to support the company for the next 100+ years. The new maintenance building was completed on time, and the administration building was occupied two months early. The project was completed approximately $2 million under budget. It is the first public building in Richmond to achieve LEED Silver certification. For additional information, please click here.

Megabus.com Starts Service at Richmond's Main Street Station

Today's Richmond Times Dispatch features an article by Peter Bacqu about the new discount intercity busy service that has begun operations in downtown Richmond. The express bus company started its service yesterday and already more than doubled its operations. Megabus is running seven daily departures from Richmond's departure location opposite Main Street Station. The City of Richmond's transportation planner Viktoria Badger notes that this kind of acceptance has implications for the region's efforts to develop the Southeast High Speed Rail Corridor through Richmond. To read the full article, please click here.

New Tourism Signage Coming to RVA

Richmond Biz Sense features an article today by Al Harris about the city's plan to update the outdated tourism signage around the city. The New York firm Two Twelve Associates in partnership with local firm BAM Architects have been hired by the city in response to requests from local cultural institutions, businesses and tourist attractions to update the signage, according to Rachel Flynn, director of the city planning and development review department. To read the full article in Richmond Biz Sense, please click here.

City Hosting Two Free Holiday Events Friday, December 3

The city of Richmond invites you to historic Shockoe Bottom on Friday, December 3, for a free Polar Express themed Holiday Open House at Main Street Station, 1500 East Main Street, and the free 12th Annual Holiday Market at the 17th Street Farmers' Market, 100 North 17th Street. For more details, please click here.

Richmond Places First in 2010 Digital Cities Survey

The city of Richmond placed first in its population range in the 2010 Digital Cities Survey which is conducted by the Center for Digital Government and Government Technology magazine. For additional information on this award, please click here.

Happy National Entrepreneurs' Day!

President Barack Obama proclaimed this week of November 14 through November 20, 2010 as National Entrepreneurship Week and November 19, 2010 as National Entrepreneurs' Day. To read the full Presidential Proclamation, please click here.

ECD Launches Richmond Workforce Pipeline

The City of Richmond's Department of Economic & Community Development Workforce Development Division has launched the Richmond Workforce Pipeline, an initiative to prepare residents for jobs, including ones tied to the planned construction of new jail and four schools. To learn more and read the Richmond Times Dispatch article, please click here.

The City is Accepting Applications for the 2011-2013 General Fund Non-Departmental and Federal Fund Budgets

The city of Richmond's Department of Economic & Community Development Neighborhood Revitalization Division is now accepting applications for the 2011-2013 General Fund Non-Departmental and Federal Fund Budgets. For full details, please click here.

Mayor, City Council and School Board Present Unified Front

The City of Richmond presented its legislative priorities for the 2011 Virginia General Assembly during a breakfast meeting with members of the state delegation. This is the first year the Mayor, City Council and Richmond Public Schools have presented a unified legislative agenda.

The City is calling for support from the state delegation in moving forward with educational opportunities for all of Richmond's children; reducing urban blight; increasing economic development; creating and retaining businesses and jobs; and investing in workforce readiness, training and development.

For additional details and the full press release, please click here.

The City is Now Accepting Applications

The city of Richmond's Department of Economic & Community Development Neighborhood Revitalization Division is now accepting applications for the 2011-2013 General Fund Non-Departmental and Federal Fund Budgets. For full details, please click here.

Kick Off of Shockoe Bottom Economic Revitalization Strategy

The City of Richmond’s Department of Economic and Community Development has hired Bay Area Economics for the purpose of developing an Economic Revitalization Strategy for Shockoe Bottom to guide the area’s future growth.

The Strategy will build upon previous planning efforts, including the recently adopted Downtown Plan, by further refining the vision of the future for this portion of Downtown Richmond. Evaluation of land use/zoning, architecture, urban design, economic development, history, the natural environment, storm water management, public infrastructure, multi-modal transportation, tourism/culture, and parking will be considered and compiled into an implementable strategy. The Strategy will include up-to-date demographic and economic profiles, a retail gap analysis, existing and future market competition as well as market demand for specific uses and recommendations. The Strategy will provide stakeholders in the area, from both the public and private sectors, with specific guidance toward effectively implementing the vision.

PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT: CHARRETTE AND TEAM WORK SESSIONS:

Public forums and team work sessions have been scheduled to engage the Shockoe community to insure public engagement and inclusion in the development of the Economic Revitalization Strategy. The focus will be the citizens and their vision for their community. The work shops are intended as listening and learning sessions, for the collection of ideas, concerns and observations. Please plan to attend these sessions on November 16, 17, 18.

Monday November 15, 6 – 8 PM
Opening Session and Charrette
Location: Main St. Station, Train Station – 2nd Floor
1500 E. Main St., Richmond, Va. 23219

The Opening Session will be a brief overview of existing physical and market conditions and issues and opportunities of development in Shockoe. The majority of the meeting will be small working groups working on exercises Bay Area Economics will lead the community through. The exercises are tailored to confirm overall vision, but mostly focus on the “catalytic projects” (both public and private).

Tuesday November 16, 9 – 5 PM
Wednesday November 17, 9 – 5 PM

Team Work Sessions
Location: Main St. Station, Office of Economic and Community Development – take elevator to 4th Floor, take stairs to the 5th Floor
1500 E. Main St., Richmond, Va. 23219

The Team Work Sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday are the consultants’ work sessions. The public is invited to attend to stop in and observe the process. If you are unable to attend on Monday night’s Opening Session and you want to share information with the consultant team, please stop by one of the Team Work Sessions.

Wednesday November 17, 6 – 8 PM

Presentation of Findings & Concluding Session
Location: Main St. Station, Train Station – 2nd Floor
1500 E. Main St., Richmond, Va. 23219

The Presentation of Findings on Wednesday evening will be a presentation of proposed plans and conceptual projects for public comment. The public will be asked to advise what projects they would consider priority.
Please see the attached Shockoe Bottom Economic Revitalization Strategy Public Input Sessions information flyer for details.

FREE PARKING FOR ALL SESSIONS:

Plaza at Main St. Station: directly across from Main St. Station (free with validation, bring your parking ticket with you to the sessions)
West Lot: accessible via Franklin St. on the west side of Main St. Station

Mayor Joins Celebration of C'est Le Vin Grand Opening in Shockoe Bottom Today

Mayor Jones and the city of Richmond will celebrate the grand opening of C'est Le Vin Art and Wine Gallery today, Thursday, October 28 at 4:30 p.m. at 15 N. 17th Street. C'est Le Vin is opening in Shockoe Bottom with financial assistance from the city's Department of Economic & Community Development Commercial Area Revitalization Effort (CARE) Program. For additional information, please click here.

213 New Jobs Coming to City of Richmond

Governor McDonnell announced on Wednesday, October 27, 2010 that Health Diagnostic Laboratory, Inc. (HDL, Inc.) is investing $4.2 million in its operation in the City of Richmond. HDL, Inc., located in the Virginia Biotechnology Research Park, is expanding its clinical laboratory, diagnostics and clinical trial services, as well as its physician/patient consulting. The project will create 213 new jobs. To learn more about this expansion, please click here.

City CARE Program Helps Companies Relocate to Richmond

A September 29th article in Richmond BizSense highlights success stories of companies that relocated to Richmond with the assistance of the city of Richmond's Commercial Area Revitalization Effort (CARE) program. To read more, click here.

Southwest to buy AirTran

According to a story by NBC12.com, Southwest has announced plans to buy AirTran for $1.4 billion. Richmond International Airport spokesman Troy Bell said, "We think it opens up many opportunities." CEO of Southwest, Gary Kelly said, "This means more airplanes, more routes, more customers and importantly more profit." To learn more, click here.

Richmond Experiences Burgeoning Arts District

A September 27th article in Richmond BizSense highlights a number of new shops that are opening in Richmond along Broad Street, between Belvidere and First Streets. To read more about the new businesses coming to Richmond, click here.

City of Richmond Dedicated to Boosting Tourism

A September 26th article in the Richmond Times Dispatch titled, "City developing plan to help visitors take in historic riches," highlights preparations Richmond is making for the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War. Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones' administration has dedicated nearly $1 million to help tourists navigate the city and Governor Bob McDonnell added $3.6 million to the state tourism budget. To read the full article, please click here.

Section 3 Informational Forum Summary Is Now Available

A detailed summary of information captured from the Thursday, August 12th Section 3 Public Informational Forum is now available. To view the report, please click here.

City Receives Digital Achievement Awards

The city of Richmond Department of Information Technology (DIT) was recognized for several digital achievements as e.Republic's Center for Digital Government announced its 2010 Best of the Web and Digital Government Achievement Awards. For additional information and a listing of the awards received, please click here.

City Celebrates Relocation of A Blooming Child Petite Academy

On Thursday, September 9th, 2010 the city of Richmond celebrated the relocation of A Blooming Chiled Petite Academy at their new 300 West Clay Street location. The Academy is opening in Jackson Ward with financial assistance from the city's Department of Economic & Community Development's Commercial Area Revitalization Effort Program (CARE). For more information, please click here.

Coliseum Study Group Unveils Update on Preliminary Findings

On Thursday, September 9th, the city of Richmond held a media briefing to provide an update on the Coliseum Study and offer preliminary market findings and the site selection process. Mayor Dwight C. Jones comments on the study, saying, "We want a facility that accomodates what this market can support and what this market deserves." For additional information regarding this report and the Mayor's response, please click here.

Richmond 3rd "Best Tennis Town" by United States Tennis Association

On September 6th, 2010 the United States Tennis Association announced at the U.S. Open in New York City that the city of Richmond was selected as second runner-up ina contest to determine the country's "Best Tennis Town." For additional information about this honor, please read the the Richmond Times Dispatch article here.

Update: Section 3 Informational Forum

The City/RRHA planning team is completing its review of the information gathered from the small group discussions held on August 12, 2010 regarding Section 3. Thank you for all your input. Please visit our websites beginning the week of September 20th to view summaries and to learn information regarding upcoming meetings. Thank you! For information, please click here.

Economic & Community Development Photo Gallery Now Live

Please click here to view pictures from three recent events organized by the Department of Economic & Community Development with their partners: The East End Planning Charrette, the Luscious Lashes Grand Opening, and the Pfizer Celebration.

Free Small Business Resource Summit

The city of Richmond's Department of Economic & Community Development will have representatives at the Small Business Resource Summit at John Tyler Community College, Chester Campus on August 26th, 2010 from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm. Hosted by The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the Small Business Administration, this free event will be a "one-stop shopping" opportunity that brings together small business and farm service providers. For additional information, please click here.

New Neighborhoods in Bloom Homes for Sale

A new flyer highlighting homes for sale through the Neighborhoods in Bloom housing partners, including Better Housing Coalition, Lifetime Homes, Southside Community Development & Housing Corporation, is now available on the city's Economic & Community Development Department website. To view the homes currently for sale, click here.

City of Richmond Contractor Assistance Program

The city of Richmond's Office of Minority Business Development (OMBD) and the Department of Economic & Community Development (ECD) invite local businesses to submit pre-applications for financing under the newly created Contractor Assistance Loan Program. This loan program represents one of several measures being implemented by the Mayor Dwight C. Jones administration to address challenges faced by under-utilized businesses and entrepreneurs. For additional information, please click here.

City's Shockoe Chef Showdown this Weekend at 17th Street Farmers' Market

The city of Richmond's 17th Street Farmers' Market and the Shockoe Bottom Neighborhood Association present the third annual Shockoe Chef Showdown this Saturday, August 14th, from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM. For details on the day's events, please click here.

Section 3 Informational Forum Today

The City and RRHA are holding a public informational forum on Section 3 opportunities in the city this Thursday, August 12th from 10:00 AM to Noon and 6 PM to 8 PM. The meetings will be held at the Richmond Police Training Facility Auditorium on 1202 West Graham Road. For additional information, please click here.

Mayor Jones Successfully Negotiates to Retain Pfizer Consumer Health R&D in City of Richmond

On Tuesday, June 29, 2010 Mayor Dwight C. Jones announced that the city of Richmond and Pfizer Consumer Healthcare agreed to maintain the business unit's Sherwood Avenue R&D operations in the city of Richmond. The agreement will retain more than 300 jobs locally and continue the long-standing civic-corporate partnership. For additional information, click here.

Southside Business Relocates with City Assistance

The city of Richmond welcomed the grand opening of Luscious Lashes, 4708 North Southside Plaza, on Thursday, June 24th. Owner Tamala White opened the business utilizing financial tools from the CARE Program offered by the city's Department of Economic & Community Development. To learn more, click here.

Regional and Corporate Study Kicks Off This Week on the Future of the Richmond Coliseum

The firms of Barrett Sports Group, LLC., Populous and Weston Sports have been contracted to jointly conduct a Market Validation and Financial Feasibility study on the future of the Richmond Coliseum. The corporate and public partners of Altria Group, Inc., Dominion Resources, Inc., Genworth Financial, Inc., MeadWestvaco, City of Richmond, Chesterfield County, Hanover County and Henrico County unanimously selected this team to conduct the extensive study. The kick-off meeting for the study was held yesterday, June 10th. Click the following links for more details.

Richmond Times Dispatch
NBC 12 News
WTVR

Best Places for Business & Careers 2010: Richmond Places in Top 50 on Forbes List

In a Forbes Magazine special report titled Best Places for Businesses And Careers, the Richmond metro area ranked 50th. Criteria for ranking included the cost of doing business, job growth projected, and educational attainment. Click here to read the full report.

East End Vision Charrette Begins this Week

A series of public engagement meetings, known as a Charrette, and designed to plan for the revitalization of the East End and Nine Mile Corridor will take place on June 2-7, at various locations in Church Hill and the East End. The intensive week-long session will include a number of sessions open to the public. For more information, visit the charrette website here or read the recent Channel 12 news report here.

MeadWestvaco To Move 128 Jobs to Richmond

Governor Bob McDonnell announced today that MeadWestvaco will relocate its Center for Packaging Innovation from Raleigh, N.C., to Richmond. It is estimated that MeadWestvaco will invest $10 million in the new CPI facilities. John A. Luke, Jr., chairman and chief executive office of MWV states, "By bringing our innovation experts together with our teams in Richmond, we will improve the real-time interaction and collaboration on which our business thrives. The move will also allow us to take full advantage of our world class headquarters." To read the full article at NBC12.com, click here.

Williams Mullen Law Firm Moves to New City Office Building

Today's Richmond Times Dispatch reported that in a few weeks 275 Williams Mullen employees will move into their brand new headquarters in downtown Richmond. The $62 million, 16-story building has 258,000 square feet of office space, parking and retail. To read the full article, click here.

Delta Adding Three Daily Nonstop Flights Between RIC and New York

According to the Richmond Times Dispatch, Delta Air Lines announced that it will increase its daily nonstop flights between Richmond and New York City from four to seven. Aviation industry consultant Michael Boyd, president of Boyd Group International, based in Evergreen, Colorado says, "When you look at access to the world, Richmond's in very good shape." To read the full article, click here.

City's Department of Economic & Community Development Relocates to Main Street Station

The newly formed Department of Economic & Community Development (DECD) has begun operations in its new office space within historic Main Street Station, located in Shockoe Bottom. "DECD's move to Shockoe Bottom firmly anchors that department into the things that are quintessential to the city of Richmond: African-American heritage and historic themes, manufacturing, general business, trade, transportation, government, literature, and architecture." To view the full press release, please click here.

Mayor Jones and Bon Secours Announce East End Planning Initiative

Mayor Dwight C. Jones and Peter J. Bernard, CEO of Bon Secours Virginia, announced today a public design workshop, best known as a charrette, to revitalize the East End and Nine Mile Road corridor. The charrette will take place June 2nd through June 7th at various Church Hill and East End locations. To learn more, click here.

Workshop Tomorrow: "We All Win: Housing for People with Barriers Renting & Profiting Together"

Tomorrow, Friday, April 23, 2010, the HUD Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships presents "We All Win: Housing for People with Barriers Renting & Profiting Together." Held at the 25th Street Community Service Center at 15th and M Streets, sessions begin at 1:15 and 2:30 p.m. For additional information, please click here.

Historic 17th Street Farmers' Market Season Opening this Saturday, April 14!

The season opening of the historic 17th Street Farmers' Market is this Saturday, April 24th. Growers' Market hours are between 9:00 am and 4:00. Please click here to visit the market's website for more information on the market and additional special events scheduled throughout the season. Sign up online to receive additional special event information!

Proposed 2010-2011 Consolidated Action Plan Available Now

Wednesday, March 31, 2010: The Mayor's proposed 2010-2011 Consolidated Action Plan and budget for the use of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnership (HOME), Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG), and Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) programs was introduced at City Council on March 22nd and is now available for public review and comment. There are also copies of the document available for review at each of the public library branches. City Council will hold a public hearing to receive public comment on the annual Action Plan and budget at their regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, April 26th at 6:00 PM. The document must be approved by City Council and submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) by May 15th, 2010.

Want Google Fiber in Richmond? We Need Your Help!

Friday, March 26, 2010: Help Richmond win a project that will bring ultra-high speed broadband to our community...it is the technological equivalent of winning the Olympics! Today the city of Richmond will submit an application for the Google Fiber for Communities Project that will build a broadband network that delivers internet speeds more than 100 times faster than what most Americans have access to today. One of the biggest factors in Google's decision is community support! Click here to find out how you can help make this happen for Richmond.

City Tax Sale Auction Coming Up

Thursday, March 25, 2010: The next city of Richmond tax sale auction will be held Tuesday, March 30th at Motley's Auction and Realty Group located at 4402 West Broad Street. For more information and a listing of the properties, please click here.

City Welcomes Grand Opening of Papa's Pizza

Thursday, March 11, 2010: Papa's Pizza held its grand opening celebration on Friday, March 12th, 2010. Business owners utilized financial assistance tools available through the city's Department of Economic & Community Development's Commercial Area Revitalization Effort (CARE) and Enterprise Zone programs. To read the full press release, click here.

MeadWestVaco Celebrates New Downtown Headquarters

March 2, 2010: MeadWestVaco held its grand opening celebration last night. Their new nine-story headquarters overlooking the James River is home to up to 700 employees and includes a state-of-the-art gym facility and cafeteria. Click below to read stories of the grand opening event from various news sources.

NBC12 News
Richmond Times Dispatch
Virginia Business

Movieland Sucess on Boulevard - Story by CBS 6 News

Monday, March 1, 2010: Click here to read the CBS 6 story highlighting the popularity of Richmond's Movieland theater along the Boulevard corridor. This past Saturday marked the theater's one-year anniversary in the city.

Apartments Planned for Reynolds Downtown Parcel

February 26, 2010: Richmond Times Dispatch reports on future downtown development of former Reynolds Manufacturing industrial buildings into 170 apartments. Restaurants, retail shops and entertainment venues are likely to follow. To read this article, click here.

Neighborhoods In Bloom Houses For Sale

February 22, 2010: Click here to view current properties for sale in NiB program areas such as the Blackwell, Church Hill, Carver, Highland Park and Swansboro neighborhoods. For more information on these properties, please contact the developers, which include Better Housing Coalition, Lifetime Homes and Southside Community Development Housing Corporation.

Remodeling Carytown

February 22, 2010: Richmond BizSense reports on future streetscape improvements in Carytown. To read the full article, click here.