calwinston

Richmond is currently ranked 55th out of 100 metro areas in the latest Brookings Institution study Export Nation. [quote] AT A GLANCE EXPORTS ANNUALLY $5.0 billion (Rank 55) EXPORT SHARE OF GMP 7.8% (Rank 82) Richmond produces $5.0 billion in total exports. As a share of its total economy, 7.8 percent of what it produces was exported in 2008, supporting 36,264 jobs. Recent export growth in Richmond has been below average, expanding at 6.0 percent. Average wages in its largest export industry were $69,806, much higher than U.S. average. The metro has 3 export industry clusters. Finally, its major export industries are Chemical Manufacturing, Business, Professional, and Technical Services, Machinery Manufacturing, Tourism, and Royalties from Intellectual Property.

46,000 scouts, volunteers and military personnel beseige upon Fort A.P. Hill for the 100th anniversary of the National Boy Scout Jamboree. The jamboree has been held every year since 1981 at Fort A.P. Hill. http://www2.timesdispatch.com/news/2010/jul/26/boysgat26-ar-350595/ http://www.bsajamboree.org/ Fort A.P. Hill is 76,000 acre facility located in Caroline County and is one of the largest military facilities on the east coast!

The first Chesterfield County master plan has been delayed and will not be available till December 2010 http://www2.timesdis...es26-ar-350071/ I think some developers dont like what they see and told Chesterfield officials to go back to the table!

TownesBank opened a new financial center in Harbour View http://www.virginiab...7-26-10/262880/

Remember the development with a Costco that was put on hold for the past 4 years. Woodlands Marketplace is currently under construction behind Chesterfield Towne Center http://www.virginiab...7-26-10/262880/ http://www.theshoppi...es/pf000629.pdf http://www.chesterfi...00&comments=All

Houses sold in the Richmond area spiked up 23% in the second quarter compared to last year! Henrico County lead the way with a 28% uptick in sales! http://www2.timesdispatch.com/business/2010/jul/23/home23-ar-347624/

Video of new Goochland Drive-In Theater http://hamptonroads.tv/hrtv.php?id=16201088 http://goochlanddriveintheater.com/ The theater opened back in 2009!

Virginia ranks fifth in the latest study of 'Richest States in America' behind Hawaii, Maryland, New Jersey, and Connecticut. Do you think Virginia's prominence of staying in the top 8 year after year in the study will lead to more development? http://www.mainstreet.com/slideshow/money/investing/states-most-millionaires

Audio Exercpts of Gov McDonnell in Europe talking about the trip and prospects of companies doing business in Virginia http://static.mgnetwork.com/rtd/audio/20100722_mcdonnell.mp3

I do know the difference between deficit/surplus it doesnt need to be explained to me! I agree the main reason for the surplus was businesses creating jobs and paying their bills on time. McDonnell does get credit for the jobs aspect in which i commend him for that! The borrowing money from the state retirement fund to balance the budget so we wouldnt have a tax increase is beyond me. I have a feeling the General Assembly will keep delaying the funds until McDonnell leaves office and the next governor will have to deal with paying the money back at a 7% interest rate! Yes this budget and ever other budget of the Commonwealth has everything to do with planning from transportation to bringing jobs which create economic development, and the list goes on. If the state was in a financial crisis then developer in its right mind would not build in Virginia! Which any plans worth anything would go out the window!

More jobs maybe in the works for the tri-cities?! 'In Europe, McDonnell courts Rolls Royce suppliers' http://www2.timesdis...at22-ar-347195/

A new water source may become reality soon for the Richmond area. The planned $200 million,1100 acre, Cobbs Creek Reservoir in Cumberland County may be owned by Henrico and Powhatan counties! http://www2.timesdispatch.com/news/news/2010/jul/22/cobb22-ar-346352/

Richmond has made the list in Bloombergs Businessweek 'Top Cities for New College Grads' Richmond is on the list because of its diverse economy and many attractions P.S. It looks like the picture they have is about 5 years old! Very much infill development has gone on in the past years! http://images.busine...p_cities/26.htm Washington DC is also makes the list http://images.busine...op_cities/3.htm

"A 'Green House' on Grove" http://richmondgrid.com/index_r.asp?ID=479&xxx=Design%20Forward

The regions malls are drawing in many tenants that you typically do not see at a mall due to the increase in vacancies by traditional tenants. http://www.richmondb...hole-at-a-time/ Foot note: The Richmond region has the most retail space per sq ft to per person than any other metro area in the nation!

Virginia's two senators and 5 of its congressmen wrote to the Secreatry of the Air Force to vie for another F-22 squadron to Langley Air Force Base http://www.mytimesdispatch.com/index.php/virginiapolitics/virginia_senators_congressmen_push_for_f-22_raptor_squadron/

"State sweetens pot to get bidders for new U.S. 460" This will be a great asset to ecnomically lagging areas of Southeast Virginia and releive congestion on the tunnels in Hampton Roads! A win-win situation!

Petersburg will be a huge transportation hub soon. I see many warehouses and manufacturing companies in the tri-cities future! Interstate 85 via Petersburg-Research Triangle-Charlotte-Atlanta Interstate 95 via New York to Miami through Petersburg The new Route 460 from Hampton Roads possbile construction start 2011 New Rail line spur to Norfolk starts operation in 2013 Rail line from Miami to New York Rail line to points west 3rd largest port in the United States 75 miles away! http://hamptonroads.com/2010/07/state-sweetens-pot-get-bidders-new-us-460 http://progress-index.com/news/many-support-high-speed-rail-plan-but-some-worry-about-overpasses-1.898430 New US 460 http://www.virginiadot.org/PPTA_Projects/Route_460/documents/460NM1_MAP.pdf New Rail line starts operation 2013 Interstate 85 Intestate 95

I highly doubt the $1 billion surplus a year, but I do believe it will operate at a profit! This is if we had true high speed rail like Europe and Japan!

At Petersburg Union Station last night many support High Speed Rail The only concerns many people have are the grade crossings! If you want your voice heard on high speed rail then read below! http://progress-index.com/news/many-support-high-speed-rail-plan-but-some-worry-about-overpasses-1.898430

Here is a video of the fire from the Progress-Index http://progress-index.com/videopopup.jsp?playerid=21821735001&bctid=142427217001&name=Fire%20Strikes%20Brown%20and%20Williamson

Is Richmond the best tennis town in America? If you think so you should vote at http://www.besttennistown.com/. Richmond is one of the top ten nominees!

Chesterfield County is defending its 4.3 million dollar 20 year lease of fields at SportsQuest. Many citizens are questioning why the county is leasing from a private for profit business when there are soccer leagues across the county that already fills the void of soccer play. http://www.chesterfieldobserver.com/news/2010-07-21/Front_Page/County_defends_SportsQuest_deal.html

You're welcome Burt! The Richmond thread I posted here has 60 photos continously of Richmond. If you go to Sky Noir flickr account then their are many more photos of different areas other than Richmond. The one with the old train sheds and rail lines behind the Science Musuem of Virginia is my favorite. It looks like anyday it could be converted back into a train station!

Sky Noir Richmond Flickr Thread http://www.flickr.com/photos/skynoir/sets/72157623013588792/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/skynoir/sets/72157623013588792/