MissySchmidt
-
Posts
107 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Gallery
Project Database
User Guide
Store
Events
Posts posted by MissySchmidt
-
-
You guys should come up with a new technology and birth a new industry for Hampton Roads.
Totally agree! get involved with Innovate!HamptonRoads (website is under construction), the rebirth of the decade-old Hampton Roads Research Partnership. You can learn more here: http://bit.ly/Vision-Innovation
Also, heard http://MarioArmstrong.com at MODSIM World last night and he got a room of about 500 kids, teachers and parents stoked about STEM Education and how to get involved.
Plus two networking events on Oct 20 and 21: http://smartregion.org/2010/10/technology-workforce-meets-innovators-and-entrepreneurs/
Are you one of the many career technology professionals in the Hampton Roads region? Are you nervous as a result of the recent announcement by Defense Secretary Gates to “dis-establish” Joint Forces Command and drastically reduce the contractor workforce?
Luckily, one of the major initiatives of Vision Hampton Roads, the first region-wide comprehensive economic development strategy, is on the innovative culture of Hampton Roads. And, Technology Hampton Roads, the member organization serving as the technology nerve center for Southeastern Virginia, offers two not-to-be-missed networking events for you. Non-members are welcomed and encouraged to attend: http://smartregion.org/2010/10/technology-workforce-meets-innovators-and-entrepreneurs/
-
i posted a response to the State of the Region on my blog. I also posted a response to Mr. Koch's other comment about the cost of light rail not being 'justifiable'. thoughts? comments? i really think that HR can overcome any of the obstacles of the future.
great posts, Russell. Here's one from Joe Bouchard, too: http://smartregion.org/2010/10/regional-vision-for-technology-driven-prosperity-in-hampton-roads/
-
This story is enough to make train enthusiasts throw up their hands in dispair.
If this frame of mind prevails among transportation and political leaders there will be little or no improvement in surface transportation in the US for a generation.
From Peter Bacque in today's RTD:
http://www2.timesdis...il09-ar-551687/
Thelma speaks the truth, I fear. There is not the money or the political will to make this happen any quicker.
-
I'm out looking for a job and most of the tech jobs are in DC. I don't forsee any of the leaders of this region changing any of this. I fear that I will have to move away from here. When is the region leaders going to get it through their heads that we must diversify our regions economy? We must get more technical, R&D, engineering jobs. I feel that we are our worst enemy.
did you read my previous post? visit http://bit.ly/Vision-Innovation and see where you might be able to fit in... if we're our own worst enemy, then we can become our own best friend.
-
Well, this article doesn't give me too much hope: What is also bad is the article states that now 45% of defense spending is due to military up from 28% 20 years ago. We have been preaching diversification of our economy yet the military seems to be bigger than ever.
ODU economist predicts dour decade for Hampton Roads
The Regional Vision for Technology-Driven Prosperity in Hampton Roads
By Joseph F. Bouchard, Ph.D.
Dr. Jim Koch, President Emeritus of Old Dominion University, delivered a much needed, yet unpleasant, dose of hard reality in his annual State of the Region address this week. As was well reported in the newspapers [The Virginian-Pilot, October 7, “ODU economist predicts dour decade for Hampton Roads”] [Daily Press, October 6, “Hampton Roads economy: Recovery is slow, and the signs are worrisome”], his economic forecast for the region is mediocre, at best.
Defense spending and employment are likely to decline – a serious blow given that defense spending makes up 45% of our regional economy. Recovery in commercial and residential real estate sales and prices are likely to be modest and painfully slow. And the port faces stiff competition from other East Coast ports and declining ability to move cargo efficiently due to the state’s inability to provide adequate funding for transportation.
Does all this mean we are condemned to mediocre economic growth? Absolutely not.
Do we have a way to overcome these challenges and ensure a prosperous future for our region? We do.
Hampton Roads already has the blueprint for economic success published in Vision Hampton Roads, the region’s comprehensive economic development strategy. Led by the Hampton Roads Partnership and the Planning District Commission, it is the first region-wide roadmap of strategies and actions – to position the region as a leader in the global economy. The Vision experience is about engaging citizens and embracing ongoing region-wide economic development practices with a 21st century perspective, that is, to think globally, strategize regionally and act locally.
While underscoring the importance of the existing three pillars of our regional economy – the military, the port and tourism – this bold strategy emphasizes the critical importance of diversifying our economy through technology-based economic development. Additionally, the strategy calls for constantly scanning the horizon for future opportunities to complement the region’s existing technology clusters of Bio-Science, Energy, Modeling & Simulation, Robotics and Sensors.
The Innovation sub-committee which helped develop Vision Hampton Roads has been established by the Partnership as a permanent Innovation Task Force to implement the plan’s objective of regional economic growth through promoting technological innovation and entrepreneurship. Hampton Roads has a quarter of a million K-12 students, and Vision is an opportunity to start them on the best path for a future rife with technology and innovation.
The Task Force has two immediate missions. First, to transform the decade old Hampton Roads Research Partnership into Innovate!HamptonRoads to unify the efforts of our region’s research institutions, economic and work force development agencies, technology clusters, technology incubators, and the technology council, Technology Hampton Roads (http://HRTC.org). Working together as a cohesive team, these organizations will provide the programs, expertise and resources needed to nurture innovation and entrepreneurship across our region.
The Task Force’s second mission is to establish IdeaWorksHamptonRoads to strengthen and support the region’s technology incubators – vital breeding grounds for entrepreneurs. IdeaWorks will support the incubators by providing critical support for individuals trying to bring new technology to market: protecting their intellectual property, commercializing their technology, establishing an effective management team, creating a sound business plan, identifying customers, and, most difficult of all, attracting investors.
As Dr. Koch pointed out, our region faces daunting challenges. And through a concerted, sustained effort with broad regional support focused on creating a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in Hampton Roads, we will succeed and flourish. The future of our regional economy depends on the success of Vision Hampton Roads.
Innovate!HamptonRoads and IdeaWorksHamptonRoads are the teams that will make that vision a reality. The volunteers who make up these teams believe that contributing their time, efforts and expertise will transform Hampton Roads as the go-to place for people with great ideas.
Dr. Bouchard is the Chair of the Vision Hampton Roads Innovation Task Force. http://VisionHamptonRoads.com
-
Great articles Missy!
Another update: the mascot poll has been narrowed down to three names: Destroyers, Tritons, or Navigators. In a radio interview yesterday, Doug Williams revealed that the team will be the Virginia something, which I think is great for showing our regional unity.
Still no word on a venue, crossing my fingers for the Sportsplex, even though that requires a major upgrade. On the plus side, it could help possibly lure MLS down the line...HR ranked #4 in World Cup ratings over the summer, so I think the fanbase is here...
hmm.. I would have thought "Hampton Roads" as the team name would have been more regional. If the problem truly is that people don't know where Hampton Roads is (I still want to see a statistically accurate study), then having a pro sports team would put us on the map!
-
We haven't discussed the UFL team in awhile. They are still headed to the area, but are still deciding on the venue...my money's on either Foreman Field or the Sportsplex. Maybe Dick Price Stadium.
However, it's articles like this that annoy me. I've commented in the past when he wrote a similar article.
http://hamptonroads....-ufl-fresh-mind
I understand that HR has been sold the same thing over and over again, but again what the article fails to mention is that past efforts failed for other reasons, i.e. lack of an appropriate venue. At least in the UFL's case, they do have venues to choose from, they just don't know which one.
I just have a serious problem with sports reporters selling negative press to the public, esp. when the Pilot is supposed to be working with the UFL on a "Name That Team" contest.
I just voted for "Hampton Roads Destroyers" at http://hamptonroads.com/yourteamyourname where online voting is happening until Oct. 2, 2010, and you can vote as many times as you like.
Other teams in UFL:
Florida Tuskers (already a Jacksonville team in the NFL)
Hartford Colonials
Las Vegas Locos
Omaha NightHawks
Sacramento Mountain Lions
Perhaps a social media campaign to help put Hampton Roads on the map? Thoughts?
P.S. don't feed the negativity; that's what they want. turn it into a positive!!!! and vote!
-
I think the thing that drives so many away is the low pay vs. high cost-of-living. The military definitely impacts that with the housing allowance. I love this area, but the prices on some apartments and condos are ridiculous. Prices need to go back to their early-2000s rates. Even if you adjust for inflation, a house/condo that sold for $75,000 c. 2003 should not be $125K! The bubble burst, but housing is still ridiculous here. Yet, salaries remain low.
not true on salaries; according to BEA, Hampton Roads is now at 100% of the national per capita income versus the 85-87% back in 1996
http://www.spiritmag..._hampton_roads/
Here is a nice spread that Spirit Magazine did on Hampton Roads in there September issue. According to the pilot, they were not paid to do this.
the articles will be posted on Southwest's website for a year, and I've archived them here for download as well: http://smartregion.org/2010/09/hampton-roads-featured-in-spirit-magazine/ Pam Lingle (VB) is correct; this was not a paid advertorial section. Many thanks to the local organizations providing content and to the advertisers who supported it: Norfolk International Airport, Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance (HREDA), ODU Business Gateway, Bon Secours, Tidewater Community College (TCC), City of Virginia Beach, Founders Inn, City of Norfolk and the Virginia Arts Festival.
-
Hampton Roads doesn't have it so bad...
Top Ten Cities in Free Fall, according to Forbes
Miami boasts a popular South Beach club scene, Art Deco Architecture, and perhaps the best Cuban food in the country. But residents don't have much else to celebrate.
More than three years after the economy started its downward slide, the Miami metro area, like a handful of Sun Belt cities, still hasn't begun to recover. Median home prices in Miami have fallen 38% since its market peaked in the second quarter of 2007; the city's 11% unemployment rate is above the national average and has grown more than most of the 40 cities we surveyed.
Cities in the "Sand States" of Florida, California, Arizona and Nevada, where overbuilding was rampant, are also in trouble, claiming nine of the top 10 spots in our list of cities in free fall. In Las Vegas, Riverside, Calif., and Phoenix, median home prices have fallen 50%, 44% and 37% from their respective peaks. Jobs are vanishing. Though country-wide, employers added 162,00 jobs last month, Riverside gained 13% fewer jobs in February 2010 (the latest numbers available by metro) than it did the same month three years earlier. Tampa, Fla., saw a 10% drop, and Los Angeles added 9% fewer jobs over the same time period.
Florida cities dominate our list, with Tampa, Orlando and Jacksonville joining Miami. Read the full story...
http://www.forbes.com/2010/04/09/cities-top-ten-lifestyle-real-estate-unemployment-home-prices.html
-
All of these road construction ideas sound great (especially the third crossing), however, I would really hope that as an urban planning forum we could try to argue more for 21st century solutions to 20th century problems.
I ride from Richmond to Norfolk every week and I cringe at the fear of getting stuck in tunnel traffic. However, I know that if I had a viable rail option to get from Norfolk to Richmond in approximately 1.5 hours at a cost around $20-$30 I would absolutely park my car and contribute to less traffic.
If we replaced every road proposal dollar on the table right now with rail dollars. We could essentially have all our rail options in the goodie basket. The midtown tunnel expansion, which I believe is extremely necessary, will cost $2-3 billion (however, mostly private investment). This money could easily expand light rail to the Oceanfront and NOB and start the commuter rail project too.
I just think if any group of folks are going to step up and think progressively about our transportation problems and options, its going to be guys/gals like us.
MLS-you should try to attend the Regional Futures' conference, then: http://fhrinc.org/Se...Conference.html
They're looking for 20- to 40- somethings to attend!
-
They are corporations all right, but none of them are really hip. Doesn't feel like the future, feels like the past.
And NS doesn't have a huge presence here.
not sure what you mean by "hip"... there aren't too many big corps that I would define as "hip." NS has their headquarters here and there top money-earners reside here, what else do you want in "huge presence." I'd love to see Google open up Google-east, but not sure that's gonna happen anytime soon.
-
There is still a lot of room to grow obviously... But many people say Hampton Roads has no corporate jobs and no companies to sponsor professional sports teams. It isn't true...
There are also many other large companies with headquarters in the metro.
Stihl North American Headquarters - VA Beach
Blackhawk Tactical Products - Norfolk
APM North American Headquarters - Portsmouth
Dominion Enterprises - Norfolk
Landmark - Norfolk
Just to name a few.
You left out the Fortune 1000:
AMERIGROUP Corporation (Virginia Beach)
Dollar Tree (Chesapeake)
Norfolk Southern (Norfolk)
Smithfield Foods (Smithfield)
and
Northrup Grumman (HQ is moving to NOVA from west coast, but single largest private employer in Hampton Roads)
-
I like Europe...for lots of reasons. But this argue is too huge to have here.
I'm happy to announce that I will be going to Bristol, England to study urban planning at UWE next fall. I'm really excited about getting the European perspective for a couple months. Hopefully I can bring back some planning knowledge to impart on Norfolk!!!
That's fantastic, Matt... hope you'll email a blog post or two on what you observe! safe travels!
-
Hampton Roads has a lot of ties to DC and NOVA with all of our government contractors and military. My company has people from DC in town weekly. The track goes both ways!
I'd vote to leave the Peninsula line alone and use the 460 cooridore to connect downtown Norfolk to downtown Richmond. The Norfolk station should be in the Harbor Park area and have a connection to the new light rail system.
Transportation board endorses high-speed rail
The Commonwealth Transportation Board voted unanimously Wednesday to endorse a high-speed rail route between Richmond and South Hampton Roads while enhancing conventional rail on the Peninsula.
http://hamptonroads.com/2010/02/transportation-board-endorses-highspeed-rail
-
-
what year was the historic picture taken? I recognize Waterside, so couldn't have been '65, right? what are the big flat white objects in the spot that is now Town Point Park?
-
http://smartregion.o...igh-speed-rail/
Great read.
This should show the state and federal governments that Hampton Roads is for real and we must be a part of that second round of fed. $$.
Thanks for posting, varider... to everyone who reads the blog post... PLEASE add a comment, especially to share your preferred alternative or support of the regional choice of an enhanced Alternative #1. I was given a copy of the 20-page Technical Memorandum provided by Mayors Fraim and Sessoms to DRPT to explain in detail the "enhancements" suggested. Great read, too!
-
what about all the money that leaves this area and never come back.....The ports are a big part of why the traffic is bad here...So why should we pay the tolls? Why should we be taxed even more when the state takes so much from this area. If we keep letting this happen the state is going to strip even more from this area and use the money elsewhere. First thing that needs to be looked at is why so much money is being wasted.
the money to which you refer is mainly funding from Virginia's sales tax on gas, which is $0.175/gallon, an amount that has not changed since January 1, 1987 when it increased from $0.15/gallon... and an amount with the purchasing power of about half of that amount due to inflation. the funding in VA just hasn't kept pace with road construction and maintenance costs. Restoring that purchasing power would require a tax rate of 36 cents per gallon. did you know that drivers in Northern VA pay an additional 2% gas tax to help pay for their public transportation? our gas tax barely compares to other nations. The UK, for instance, pays on average well over $6/gallon, nearly 1/2 of which is tax. Now, unfortunately, due to years of not addressing the problems, we are in such a hole, just increasing the gas tax alone won't do it.
tolls? my husband and I drive to central NY state to see his kids every 3 weekends. tolls in MD, DE, PA and NY amount to about $50 each trip.
yes, the ports are a big part of why we have traffic... so are the military.... so are tourists.... ALL jobs (and customers) that equate to approx. 70% of the region's economy. if we didn't have the ports, military and tourism, we wouldn't even need roads, would we?
as for money wasted... are you referring to VDOT?
Let's have a reality check and look at some real VDOT numbers:
2002 On-time Performance 30% Today 86%
2002 On-Budget Performance 61% Today 93%
2002 Employees 10,192 Today 7,830 and with more lay-offs coming will have dropped employment levels to 7,500 workers by the end of this fiscal year (June 30th)
Now let's look at some other VDOT numbers:
2002 Six-Year Improvement Program $10.5 Billion Today $4.6 Billion
Construction Funds Transferred to Maintenance $3.6 Million Today $712.6 Million
Hasn't your own rent or mortgage gone up? your utilities? your food bill? the cost of your car? mine sure has.
thoughts?
-
a Toll would be terrible on traffic, the state really needs to improve the HRBT before imposing any tolls:
http://hamptonroads....monitormerrimac
ok, but where would the money come from to improve HRBT or any other road or rail project? you gotta pay to play.
-
I like the plan. I agree with the fact that transportation is the key to Hampton Roads economic success.
I just hope all UP forum participants take a few minutes and respond to the Public Comment Survey at http://VisionHamptonRoads.com.
-
"Vision Hampton Roads" is now open for Public Comment at http://VisionHamptonRoads.com; make your voice heard for the future of our region.
Please pass the link along to all of your contacts.
-
I feel your pain, but what will boycotting VDOT do? And how do you propose to boycott a state agency? Here are some facts for you from the Virginia's First Cities Coalition http://www.vafirstcities.com/ :
The Problem
- The State is falling short on funding for key local services. Examples:
- $1.5 billion State annual shortfall for K-12 education (JLARC Study)
- $1.5 billion State annual shortfall for transportation (JLARC Study)
- $600 million State annual shortfall for human services (Senate Finance Committee)The pattern, for a long time now, has seen the State lowering its taxes and forcing cities to raise theirs.
- Virginia is ranked 9th in the nation in personal income
- Virginia is ranked 41st in State taxes *
- Virginia is ranked 49th in what it spends to provide services to citizens *
- Virginia is ranked 42nd in what it spends on K-12 education.* Localities must pick up a majority of the cost for education to help assure student achievement.
[*]Translation: State is unfairly shifting its responsibilities to localities to keep its taxes low when compared to the rest of the nation.[*]As a result, when it comes to providing many State services, localities must pick up the tab.[*]Or, in many cases, the services are simply not provided.
The Solutions
- This situation can be turned around by leadership from the Governor and the General Assembly:
- The State needs to fund its fair share for education and transportation.
- The State needs to take more responsibility for human services.
- The State needs to assist our cities with economic and neighborhood development.
- To meet these responsibilities, the State needs to increase its revenues.
* percentage of personal income
- The State is falling short on funding for key local services. Examples:
-
If any of you guys are looking for our transportation funding.... go to NoVA! Riding up I-95, I've never seen more road/rail construction in one region. Seemingly every mile there was a new project being constructed. Massive flyovers, elevated metroRail, tunnels, etc.
And I am working on an idea for commuter/light rail in HR after witnessing firsthand the benefits of rail transit up in Phila.
so true, and check out this editorial about High Speed Rail.
-
Even with the 2000 census figures, Chesapeake (199,184) was bigger than NN (180,150). NN hasnt been more populous since 1990. Are their names really that far behind? In other words, even if they agreed now, we may not be the HR MSA until 2030?
I received this info from the Geography Division of the U.S. Census Bureau, if anyone wants to take a stab at it:
Per the Federal Register Notices for MSAs on the OMB webpage:
• Recommendations From the Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Area Standards Review Committee to the Office of Management and Budget Concerning Changes to the 2000 Standards for Defining Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas (February 12, 2009)
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/asset.aspx?AssetId=626#ms (7 pages, 120 kb)
There is some information on page 5 about titling changes that may be of some help. It appears that any recommendation for changes needed to be submitted by April 13, 2009 to be included for the 2010 standards, however, try to speak with the contact person given in the notice for further information. There are two individuals named in the document, one for OMB and the other for the MSA Review Committee Chair here at Census.
@Norfolk4Life, as I understand from the naming standards, there is a "local preference" option on the cities named as well. My guess is that the mayors of VB-Norfolk-NNews at the time of the decision were more powerful and influential than Chesapeake's. To answer your 2030 supposition, hmmm.... good question and sounds like may be the case. :-(
Hampton Roads Housing/Real estate/and Economy
in Hampton Roads
Posted
great story... would like to share on the regional blog and e-News can you send some new pics and any more info, links etc to my work email? [email protected] thx