Richmond Named Top Place to Live

Every year, RelocateAmerica.com comes out with a list of top 100 places to live in America, and Richmond is on the list. RelocateAmerican compiles data to find communities that are "well positioned for economic recovery, already experiencing strong economic recovery or have proven economic stability." Factors such as employement, education and overall quality of life also strongly considered in the decision.

According to relocateamerica.com, the cultural and artistic features give Richmond a cosmopolitan flair. "Easy, fun, accessible, and affordable, the Richmond area has something to offer for people of all ages and walks of life." Low traffic congestion and an average 24 minute commute are just some of the reasons that make Richmond a desirable place to live; "reasonable living costs and a wide array of affordable housing contribute to the region’s easy lifestyle."

In addition, Richmond is noted for its diverse economy which includes 10 Fortune 1000 headquarters: pharmaceutical, chemical, biotech, and other 21st century manufacturers; Fifth District Federal Reserve, Fourt Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, and state capital, financial and information technology services; and higher education.

To learn more, please click here.

UNOS Employees to be Transplanted

UNOS, the United Nation for Organ Sharing, a major Richmond nonprofit with a federal contract to match organ donors with transplant recipients, will relocate some of its employees to recently purchased Jackson Center, located in the heart of historic Jackson Ward, from their current location in Virginia Biotechnology Research Park.

According to Richmond BizSense, UNOS has outgrown its location in the Virginia Biotechnology Research Park and needs a place to expand - "we are just bursting at the seams here at our headquarters," says Lisa Schaffner, spokesperson for UNOS.

UNOS purchased the Jackson Center, the deal coming to an official close on June 30. 40- 50 of the 340 employees will begin the transition to the second location this fall.

To learn more about UNOS and their transition to a second location, please click here.

Richmond: Capital of Creativity

"There's just a general inventiveness about the people of Richmond that is somewhat contagious. Not to mention, riding my bike to work every morning past the 'Give me liberty or give me death' site fills me with stubborn entrepreneurial enthusiasm." Tom Oristian, LucyPhone

Click here to read Richmond.com's article highlighting the entrepreneurial spirit in Richmond. The article explains why Richmond is quickly becoming "the place" to bring businesses, both tiny startups and large corporations and as a location that "has the uncanny ability to attract business owners."

Big name companies have been in the city for years, and according to Richmond.com, "with the number of Richmond startups launching, it’s clear the entrepreneurial vibe is spreading like wildfire." The article highlights exciting companies such as LucyPhone, Tumblr and Green Duck.

Picasso Exhibition Produces Nearly $29 Million Impact on Virginia

The recent art exhibition of world renowned artist Pablo Piacasso, held in the Virginia Fine Arts Museum, not only drew over 230,000 visitors to Richmond, but left the city with a better return in economic activity than what was expected. According to The Richmond Times Dispatch, the exhibition, lasting from February to May, resulted in a $26.6 million economic impact to the Richmond region - $1.6 million more than the predicted amount. "You're talking about a $5 million exhibition for which we had zero funding on the day we said yes," says museum director Alex Nyerges.

The exhibition delivered "a highly successful return on what was a 'risky' venture for the museum, agreeing in early 2010 to become one of the only 3 museums nationwide to host the exhibit," explains Nyerges.

For more information on the exhibition and impact on the Richmond area, please click here.

City Selects Coordinator of Comprehensive Tourism Efforts

In order to boost the efforts and increase the impact of tourism in Richmond, Anedra Bourne has been hired as the new Tourism Coordinator for the City's Department of Economic and Community Development.

Anedra Bourne will be working with a diverse group of people to lead the process of implementing recommendations that will emerge from the Mayor's Tourism Commision.

Welcome to the team Anedra!

To read more about Bourne and the future plans for Richmond's Tourism, please click here.

Greater Richmond Partnership Forges Agreement with Bavarian Economic Development

The Greater Richmond Partnership, Inc., the regional economic development organization, has signed a partnership agreement with the Bavarian U.S. Offices for Economic Development, LLC. Life Sciences, medical devices and products, and information technology will be the focus of the partnership.

For additional information, please click here.