BLUEPRINT

VIRGINIA
A Business Plan for the Commonwealth

Dear Community and Business Leaders:

NOVEMBER 20, 2013

In Virginia, weve long been blessed by a strong economy and have regularly been recognized as the best state for business. While we
have much to be thankful for, there are still issues that need further consideration as we continue to compete in an increasingly global
economy. There are areas of the Commonwealth that are not enjoying the level of prosperity experienced by others. We must remain
vigilant in our efforts to foster statewide economic development in order to maintain our ranking as the best state for business.
We are pleased to share with you the executive summary for Blueprint Virginia:

A Business Plan for the Commonwealth. Blueprint

Virginia is a comprehensive initiative to provide business leadership, direction and long-range economic development planning for
Virginia. During the past twelve months, the Blueprint process engaged business and community leaders from around the state
through grassroots involvement to determine top priorities for strengthening Virginias economic competitiveness. Regional briefings
were held in more than 30 communities where hundreds of Virginia citizens voted on priority issues for their region and the state. We
collaborated with more than 300 organizations and over 7,000 participants to develop A Business Plan for the Commonwealth that
provides our elected officials and private sector leaders with a roadmap for economic competitiveness.
We would like to express our deep gratitude to the many organizations and individuals who contributed their leadership, insights and
support to Blueprint Virginia. It has been our honor to provide leadership throughout the Blueprint Virginia planning process. We
believe this economic development strategy will help strengthen Virginias economic competiveness, grow our economy and ensure
our future prosperity. We look forward to working with our stakeholders, statewide elected officials and the General Assembly to
implement the goals and recommendations outlined in the Blueprint Virginia plan. Working together, we can help bring prosperity to
all Virginians and maintain our ranking as the best state for business.

Sincerely,

Paul Koonce, CEO,

Barry DuVal, President & CEO
Dominion Virginia Power
Virginia Chamber of Commerce
Chairman, Blueprint Virginia

Table of Contents

By The Numbers

10

Business Climate &

Economic Development

12

Transportation

14

Health Care

Regional Briefings &

Industry Council Meetings

Leadership

Education

Workforce

15

18

Environment

20

Military & Veterans Affairs

Stakeholders

21

Technology, Innovation
& Startups

23

Strategic Partner
& Virginia Chamber
Board of Directors

Blueprint Sponsors

16

Energy

17

Manufacturing

24

By the Numbers
BLUEPRINT VIRGINIA
ENGAGED
MORE THAN

NEARLY

600

7,000
NEARLY

700
BUSINESS &
COMMUNITY
LEADERS

FROM AROUND THE

STATE ATTENDED
THE BLUEPRINT
VIRGINIA ROLL-OUT IN
NOVEMBER, 2012.

BUSINESS &
COMMUNITY
LEADERS

FROM AROUND THE

STATE TO DETERMINE
TOP PRIORITIES FOR
STRENGTHENING
VIRGINIAS ECONOMIC
COMPETITIVENESS.

BLUEPRINT VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

REGIONAL
BRIEFINGS WERE
HOSTED IN
MORE THAN

30

COMMUNITIES
ACROSS THE
COMMONWEALTH
WHERE HUNDREDS
VOTED ON PRIORITY
ISSUES FOR THEIR
REGION AND THE STATE.

BUSINESS &
COMMUNITY
LEADERS

SIGNED UP AS
STAKEHOLDERS
TO ENDORSE THE
BLUEPRINT PROCESS
OR PARTICIPATE AS
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
AND HUNDREDS
JOINED A SERIES OF
WEB CONFERENCES
TO SHARE INPUT
AND NARROW
RECOMMENDATIONS.

MORE THAN

2,500
INDIVIDUALS

PARTICIPATED IN
INDUSTRY COUNCIL
MEETINGS TO ESTABLISH
BASELINE ASSESSMENTS
AND OPPORTUNITIES
FOR GROWTH IN KEY
SECTORS.

 Regional Blueprint Events:

February 4,
February 6,
February 7,
February 20,
February 28,
March 6,
March 13,
March 21,
March 28,
April 12,
April 23,
April 23,
May 1,
May 9,
May 15,
May 16,
May 21,
May 29,
May 30,
June 10,
June 19,
June 19,
June 21,
June 22,
July 15,
July 17,
July 25,
August 15,
September 3,
September 4,
September 11,
October 2,

2013
2013
2013
2013
2013
2013
2013
2013
2013
2013
2013
2013
2013
2013
2013
2013
2013
2013
2013
2013
2013
2013
2013
2013
2013
2013
2013
2013
2013
2013
2013
2013

Leadership Arlington Blueprint Presentation

Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association Presentation
Harrisonburg-Rockingham Chamber Annual Outlook
Virginia Economic Development Partnership Statewide Webinar
Innsbrook Rotary Blueprint Presentation
Coliseum Central Annual Meeting in Hampton
Lynchburg Regional Chamber Annual Meeting
VA Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives Summit
Charlottesville Regional Chamber Commonwealth Breakfast
Southern Virginia STEM Summit
Fredericksburg Regional Council Blueprint Event
Northern Virginia: Leadership Arlington Blueprint Presentation
Northern Virginia Economic Forum for Blueprint Virginia
Culpeper Chamber of Commerce & Blueprint Virginia
Lynchburg Regional Council Blueprint Event
Virginia Community College System Blueprint Briefing
Greater Williamsburg /VA Peninsula Chamber Event
Buchanan Chamber of Commerce Blueprint Event
Roanoke Regional Chamber Economic Summit
Farmville Area Chamber of Commerce Blueprint Event
Staunton Economic Development Business Breakfast
Roanoke-Blacksburg Innovation Network/ VA Tech Event
Franklin-Southampton Area Chamber of Commerce Event
Senator Warners Leadership Summit
Northern Neck Blueprint Economic Forum
Virginia Workforce Council Presentation
Virginia Planning District Commissions Conference
Virginia Economic Developers Association Meeting
South Hill Chamber of Commerce Luncheon
Virginia Workforce Investment Board Meeting
Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce Blueprint Briefing
Crater PDC with the Civilian Military Council at Fort Lee

Industry Council Meetings:

May 20, 2013

May 28, 2013

May 30, 2013

June 21, 2013

June 24, 2013

July 10, 2013

July 17, 2013


July 22, 2013

August 1, 2013

August 12, 2013

August 27, 2013
September 20, 2013

Energy Industry Council Meeting #1

Military & Veterans Affairs Industry Council Meeting
Energy Industry Council Meeting #2
Healthcare Industry Council Meeting #1
Technology, Innovation & Startups Council #1
Technology, Innovation & Startups Council #2
Business Climate & Economic Development & Education
and Workforce Industry Councils Meeting
Transportation Industry Council Meeting
Manufacturing Industry Council Meeting
Healthcare Industry Council Meeting #2
Environment Industry Council Meeting
Business Climate & Economic Development Meeting #2

BLUEPRINT VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Leadership
CHAIRMAN
Paul Koonce,
Dominion Virginia Power, CEO

STEERING COMMITTEE
Nancy Howell Agee, Carilion Clinic,
President & CEO
Frank B. Atkinson, McGuireWoods
Consulting, Chairman
G. William Beale, Union First Market
Bank, CEO
Mike Daniels, LMI, Chairman
Ben Davenport, Jr., First Piedmont
Corporation, Chairman
Heyward Donigan, ValueOptions,
President & CEO
Carly Fiorina, Hewlett Packard, Retired
Chairman
Heywood Fralin, Medical Facilities of
America, Chairman
Tom Frantz, Williams Mullen, CEO
Steve Fredrickson, Portfolio Recovery
Associates, Inc., President & CEO
Bobbie Kilberg, Northern Virginia
Technology Council, President & CEO
Burke King, Anthem, President
John Luke, Jr., MeadWestvaco
Corporation, Chairman & CEO
Tonya Mallory, HDL, Inc., President & CEO
Gary McCollum, Cox Communications,
SVP & General Manager
Tim McManus, CJW Medical Center, CEO
Wick Moorman, Norfolk Southern
Corporation, President & CEO

Tony Moraco, SAIC, President,

Intelligence, Surveillance &
Reconnaissance Group
Mike Petters, Huntington Ingalls
Industries, President & CEO
John Pullen, Luck Companies, Chief
Growth Officer
Jim Reinhart, QTS, COO Development
and Operations
Linwood Rose, James Madison University,
President Emeritus
Tom Schievelbein, Brinks, Inc., President
& CEO
Eric Sisco, APM Terminals, President
Jim Ukrop, New Richmond Ventures,
Principal
Alan Witt, PB Mares, CEO
Dubby Wynne, Landmark
Communications Inc., Retired
President & CEO

ADVISORY COUNCIL
Jeff Allende, Lineage Logistics
Jennifer Aument, Transurban
Patrick Barker, Winchester-Frederick
County Economic Development
Craig Bell, McGuireWoods LLP
Peter Blake, SCHEV
Beth Bortz, Virginia Center for Health
Innovation
Preston Bryant, McGuireWoods
Consulting
Chris Caldwell, DuPont
Whittington Clement, Hunton & Williams

BLUEPRINT VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Robert Cramer, Norfolk Southern

Corporation
Janice Crawford, AREVA, Inc.
Elizabeth Creamer, Office of the
Governor Robert F. McDonnell
Robert Crum, Richmond Regional
Planning District Commission
Tom DeWitt, SNVC
Jim Dinegar, Greater Washington Board
of Trade
Craig A.A. Dixon, Smithfield Foods, Inc.
Glenn Dubois, Virginias Community
College System
Jack Ezzell, Norfolk State, Zel
Technologies
Dwight Farmer, Hampton Roads Planning
District Commission
Dr. Stephen Fuller, Center for Regional
Analysis at George Mason University
Robert Harbour, CenterPoint Properties
Barrett Hardiman, Luck Companies
Eva Hardy, Dominion Resources
Woodrow Harris, VAPDC
John Harvey, Retired Admiral
of the U.S. Navy
Susan Horne, LEAD VA
Todd House, Micron
David Hudgins, Old Dominion Electric
Cooperative
Peter Jobse, Center for Innovative
Technology
Jack Kennedy, Consultant
Hugh Keogh, LEAD VA
Mark Kilduff, Consultant
Mike Kuhns, Virginia Peninsula Chamber
of Commerce
Josh Levi, Northern Virginia Technology
Council
Chris Lloyd, McGuireWoods Consulting

Lynn McCashin, Garden Club of Virginia

Robert McClintock, Virginia Economic
Development Partnership
Robin Morrison, Virginia Downtown
Development Association
Neal Noyes, Virginia Tobacco
Commission
Jim Oliver, Hampton Roads Center for
Civic Engagement
Douglas Palais, Park Palais Attorneys
Tom Palmer, Wells Fargo
Dan Pleasant, Dewberry
Liz Povar, Virginia Economic
Development Partnership
Robert Riley, Williams Mullen
Clayton Roberts, Virginia Free
Kim Scheeler, Greater Richmond
Chamber of Commerce
Dick Schreiber, Williamsburg Chamber of
Commerce
C. Grigsby Scifres, Williams Mullen
William C. Shelton, Department of
Housing & Community Development
Robert Skunda, Virginia Biotechnology
Research Park
Douglas L. Smith, Kaufman & Canoles
Consulting
Myra Smith, Leadership Metro Institute
Raymond Smoot, Jr., Virginia Tech
Foundation, Inc.
Robert Stolle, Center for Innovative
Technology
Bob Stroh, Virginia Downtown
Development Association
Wayne Strickland, Roanoke ValleyAlleghany Regional Commission
Dr. Robert G. Templin, Jr., Northern
Virginia Community College

Mike Thompson, Thomas Jefferson

Institute for Public Policy
James Thornton, Huntington Ingalls
Industries
Michael Toalson, Home Builders
Association
Dennis Treacy, Smithfield Foods, Inc.
Dietra Trent, Office of Senator Mark R.
Warner
Brett Vassey, Virginia Manufacturers
Association
Bruce Whitehurst, Virginia Bankers
Association
Greg Wingfield, Greater Richmond
Partnership

REGIONAL COUNCILS
Jonathan Alger, James Madison
University
Gene Bailey, Fredericksburg Regional
Alliance
Tom Bishop, Patrick County Chamber of
Commerce
Frank Bossio, Culpeper County
Administrator
Dr. Jennifer Braaten, Ferrum College
Jon Bright, The Spectacle Shop
Julie Brown, Dan River Region
Collaborative
Aaron Burdick, West Piedmont Planning
District Commission
Dr. John S. Capps, Central Virginia
Community College
Helen Cauthen, Thomas Jefferson
Partnership for Economic Development
Dr. John Cavan, Southside Virginia
Community College
Jim Charapich, Culpeper County
Chamber of Commerce
Angie Chewning-Lewis, Vinton Chamber
of Commerce
Rob Clapper, The Prince William
Chamber of Commerce

Karen Clark, Augusta Health

Jean Clary, South Hill Chamber of
Commerce
Patricia Cluss, University of Virginia
Leigh Cockram, Southern Virginia
Regional Alliance
Jim Corcoran, Fairfax County Chamber of
Commerce
Bryan David, Region 2000
Rich Doud, Arlington Chamber of
Commerce
Elizabeth Doughty, Roanoke Regional
Partnership
Dr. John Downey, Blue Ridge Community
College
Dr. Kay Dunkley, VA Tech Roanoke Center
Mary Jane Elkins, Southside Virginia
Community College
Patty Eller, Altavista Economic
Development
Betsy Frantz, Leadership Arlington
Dr. Frank Friedman, Piedmont Virginia
Community College
Vicki Gardner, Smith Mountain Lake
Regional Chamber of Commerce
Mark Gibb, Northern Virginia Regional
Commission
Dr. Angeline Godwin, Patrick Henry
Community College
Nancy Oliver Gray, Hollins University
Rex Hammond, Lynchburg Regional
Chamber of Commerce
Linda Hershey, Greater Augusta Chamber
of Commerce
Mary Hickman, Commonwealth Regional
Commission
Tony Howard, Loudoun County Chamber
of Commerce
Ashlie Howell, Farm Credit of Virginia
Timothy Hulbert, Charlottesville Chamber
of Commerce
Richard Hurley, University of Mary
Washington
Patrick Janes, Staunton Nissan & Subaru
Debbie Kavitz, Salem-Roanoke County

Chamber of Commerce
H. Lee Kirk, Jr., Culpeper Regional
Hospital
David Kleppinger, Alleghany Highlands
Economic Development Corporation
Janet Laughlin, Averett University
Chris Lee, Lee Construction
Bob Leveque, RR Donnelley
Frank Malone, South Hill Chamber of
Commerce
Susan Martin, Bedford County Chamber
of Commerce
Mike Maxey, Roanoke College
Sheri McGuire, Longwood University
Gail Moody, Southside Planning District
Commission
Barry Moore, Liberty University
Laurie Moran, Danville-Pittsylvania
Chamber of Commerce
Fred Morgan, Greater Augusta
Association of Realtors
Kerry Mossler, Centra Health
Dan Naff, Botetourt County Chamber of
Commerce
Toan Nguyn, Charlottesville Coffee
Steve Owen, Staunton City Manager
Catherine Peck, Commonwealth Regional
Council
Leonard Pittman, Union First Market
Bank
Nancy Pool, Halifax County Chamber of
Commerce
Roger Porter, VEDP International Trade
Dr. B. Carlyle Ramsey, Danville
Community College
Dr. Jorge Ribas, Mid-Atlantic Hispanic
Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
Bonnie Riedesel, Central Shenandoah
PDC
David A. Sam, Germanna Community
College
Dr. Robert Sandel, Virginia Western
Community College

David Schwengel, Northern Virginia

Regional Commission
Mike Shareck, MacMillian Publishing
Myra Smith, Leadership Metro Richmond
Randy Smith, McKee Foods
Rucker Snead, Hampden-SydneyCollege
Susan Spears, Fredericksburg Regional
Chamber of Commerce
Wayne Strickland, Roanoke ValleyAlleghany Regional Commission
Robin Sullenberger, Shenandoah Valley
Partnership
Barbara Swisher, Holiday Inn
Frank Tamberrino, HarrisonburgRockingham Chamber
Lisa Tharpe, Farmville Area Chamber of
Commerce
Emmett Toms, Dominion Virginia Power
My Lan Tran, Virginia Asian Chamber of
Commerce
Jeffrey Walker, Rappahannock-Rapidan
Regional Commission
Lacy Ward, Moton Museum
Tim Ware, George Washington Regional
Commission
Joyce Waugh, Roanoke Regional
Chamber of Commerce
Amanda Witt, Martinsville-Henry County
Chamber of Commerce
Michel Zajur, The Virginia Hispanic
Chamber of Commerce

PLANNING COMMITTEE
Barry E. DuVal, Virginia Chamber of
Commerce
Jane Kusiak, Council on Virginias Future
William Murray, Dominion Virginia Power
Kim McKay, Council on Virginias Future
Cyndi Miracle, Virginia Chamber of
Commerce
Mark Barrett, Virginia Chamber of
Commerce

BLUEPRINT VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

GOAL:

Education

Build on our nationally ranked

education system to develop
the worlds best workforce for
the 21st century

INDUSTRY COUNCIL CHAIR: MIKE DANIELS CHAIRMAN OF LMI

System-level Reform
Invest in STEM-H education as an
important issue to the business community
at all levels of education (at least half of well
paying STEM jobs do not require a four
year degree) while providing well-rounded
education including needed soft skills.
Establish a goal of developing a globally
best-in-class system, not just a nationally
competitive one.
Question basic assumptions about our
education system, from calendars to
compensation, to determine if they still
make sense in the 21st century.
Strengthen the linkages between the
classroom and the workplace at all levels,
with efforts by both the public and private
sectors.
Reinvent our linear model of education to
recognize that in the 21st century economy
workers will need to re-enter our education
system throughout their career.

Early Childhood
Education

K-12 Education

Improve access to high quality early

childhood education--a key determinant
of both school readiness and third grade
reading attainment.

Celebrate our current success in K-12

reform and accountability while recognizing
the imperative for further improvement
to maintain our competitive advantage
nationally and improve our standing globally.

Address the fragmentation and gaps that

exist in our current public policy approach
to early learning.

Develop additional linkages between K-12

accountability measures and long-term postsecondary and workplace success.

Improve the flexibility of existing state

funding for at-risk preschoolers (the
Virginia Preschool Initiative) to allow it to
be more fully used at the local level.

Build on our best in the nation STEM-H

education program (as recognized by the U.S.
Chamber of Commerce) to achieve global
best-in-class status.

Identify opportunities for public/private

partnerships to promote community-wide
access to high quality early learning.

Forge partnership between the business

community and K-12 schools. STEM-H
education, career readiness, reimagining
middle school, and mentoring students are key
opportunities for the business community.

Implement appropriate models from the

private sector, such as pay for performance,
in publicly funded child care and early
learning.

Promote financial education so all students

obtain basic economic and financial skills and
support initiatives for teacher training in this
area.

Post-Secondary/
Higher Education
Build on one of state governments core
assets--the Virginia Community College
System as a critical gateway to both postsecondary education and the workforce for
high school graduates and mid-career adults.
Acknowledge funding and affordability
challenges as well as the need to adapt to
potential technological innovations in the
higher education instructional and business
model.
Support the Virginia Business Higher
Education Councils Grow By Degrees
coalitions objectives, including its College,
Knowledge and Jobs policy agenda and
sustained implementation of the Top Jobs
Act of 2011.
Prioritize the Top Jobs components with the
most business salience increased STEM-H
education and career readiness, including
industry certification and licensure for highdemand, high-skilled jobs.

GOAL:

Workforce

Create a more robust

workforce to meet the needs
of a growing and diverse
business community

INDUSTRY COUNCIL CHAIR: MIKE DANIELS CHAIRMAN OF LMI

Recognize that a highly talented and educated workforce is the lynchpin of maintaining and elevating Virginias economic competitiveness;
Strengthen the private sector voice in state level workforce efforts (New Virginia Workforce Industry Council).;
Recognize that Virginia will need 2 million new workers to support the states economic growth over the next ten years;
Strengthen Virginias approach to workforce development at the state level and within regions;
Elevate Virginias workforce system brand so that it is nationally recognized among businesses;
Invest in Virginias Community College System

Data & Dissemination

Public-Private Partnerships

Articulate and disseminate information on

workforce that catalyzes a dialogue on the
future of Virginias workforce at the state
level and within our regions (i.e. State of the
Workforce).

Establish a private sector led, Virginia

Workforce Industry Board to provide input
to state workforce leaders on the needs of the
business community.

Strengthen our platforms for workforce

related data, such as Labor Market
Information.
Continue to use approaches that provide
students with information on future careers
(i.e. Virginia Education Wizard, Academic
and Career Plans, and Career Coaches).

Promote innovative public-private

partnerships for workforce training, especially
in the area of STEM and encourage replication
(i.e. SySTEMic Solutions).
Collaborate with businesses that have robust
in-house training programs to source the nonproprietary elements of these programs.
Support the development of public-private
technical training centers for high-demand
fields (i.e. Advanced Manufacturing
Apprenticeship Academy).
Continue to promote internships tied to
careers for the K-12 student population
with a particular emphasis on STEM-H.
Utilize the expertise of the private sector in
redesigning curricula and developing training
programs for both technical and soft skills
education.

Targeted Sectors &

Populations

Regional Solutions

Encourage adequate funding for state

of the art equipment and training
to address new areas and advanced
technologies (i.e. robotics) for highdemand fields such as advanced
manufacturing, data analytics,
bioscience, and information technology.
Strengthen vocational training
opportunities including apprenticeships.
Emphasize industry certifications and
credentials as a pathway for opportunity
beyond a four-year degree.
Support workforce development efforts
targeted to Veterans (i.e. Virginia Values
Veterans, Military2Manufacturing, and
expediting training for high-demand
fields).

Support the development of businessdriven regional workforce solutions that

meet the needs of a key regional industry
over a sustained period of time, particularly
for mid-skill workers.
Go beyond a general emphasis of
STEM education and encourage a deep
understanding of STEM opportunities that
align with regional needs.
Encourage regional leadership to develop
workforce solutions that actively engage the
private sector in meeting regional gaps by
redesigning curricula, redirecting resources,
and realigning programs (i.e. nuclear
engineering in Lynchburg and maritime
training in Hampton Roads).
Continue to emphasize collaboration
across state agencies in providing technical
assistance and expertise to regional
partnerships.

BLUEPRINT VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Business Climate &

Economic Development

GOAL:
Strengthen and expand
Virginias economy to
maintain Virginias rank as
the best state for business.

INDUSTRY COUNCIL CHAIRS: TOM PALMER REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENT AND SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT
OF CENTRAL AND EASTERN VIRGINIA COMMERCIAL BANKING FOR WELLS FARGO BANK

Incentives

International

Taxes

Federal

Small Business

Preserve Virginias incentive

programs.

Continue to market Virginia as

a great place for international
companies to locate.

Support a comprehensive study of

Virginias tax structure.

Protect Virginia in future BRAC

rounds through the work of
the Governors Commission on
Military Installations and Defense
Activities and future commissions.

Promote the integration of small

business in statewide economic
planning efforts.

Continue to use incentives in a

responsible manner.
Support new incentives that
demonstrate their effectiveness
and help Virginia target future
growth industries while protecting
existing businesses.
Support continued investment
and incentives that spur economic
development in rural Virginia.

10

Continue to develop trade

opportunities for Virginia goods
and services.
Continue to support
transportation infrastructure
investments that will strengthen
international trade (ports,
airports, rail and roads).

Support changes that will

modernize Virginias tax structure.

Promote the private sectors

capabilities in federal contracting
and procurement matters.

Support the development

of business incubators and
additional resources.
Encourage more small business
development financing, venture
capital formation and tax
incentives.
Strengthen access to Virginias
current incentive programs for
small business.

Business Climate &

Economic Development
Tourism

Workforce

Industry Sectors

Pro-Business Policies

Endorse Virginia Tourism Corporations

DRIVE Tourism plan.

Tailor workforce programs to meet the

needs of corporate partners.

Maintain Virginias pro-business

policies like:

Continue to support VTCs efforts to

maintain and expand domestic and
international travel market and motion
picture production.

Support efforts, such as immigration

reform, to retain and attract the most
talented workers.

Cultivate a strong environment for research

and development and new company
formation.

Promote distinctive visitor experiences

through connectivity and authenticity.
Strengthen programs that support tourism
product development and infrastructure.

Streamline and improve the effectiveness of

Virginias workforce training programs.
Economic development and workforce
development organizations should align on
ensuring that good jobs come to Virginia
and the state has the highly educated
workforce to fill those jobs.

Support innovation hubs around

concentrated areas of activity to grow new
companies.
Replicate CCAM and CCALS approach for
other industries.
Expand opportunities in agriculture and
forestry.

The Commonwealths right-to-work laws.

An equitable and fair legal system.
Unemployment and workers
compensation systems that balance the
needs of employees and employers.
Minimize burdensome regulations and
promote efficient regulatory oversight.
Strong communities and a robust
housing market.

BLUEPRINT VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

11

GOAL:
Continue to develop a safe and
efficient transportation system that
effectively moves people and goods
through the Commonwealth and
fosters growth and development for a
competitive economy.

Transportation
INDUSTRY COUNCIL CHAIR: WHITT CLEMENT PARTNER, HEAD OF VIRGINIA
GOVERNMENT RELATIONS TEAM, AT HUNTON & WILLIAMS

Efficient and Effective

Implementation of 2013
Legislation

Maximize the Value of

Virginias Transportation
Crown Jewels

Spend the funding provided by the 2013

legislation in an efficient and effective
manner - the key to both successful
implementation of the legislation and any
future discussion of transportation funding
needs.

Protect and strengthen Virginias strategic

transportation assets--from Virginias ports
to Dulles Airport to our rail network to
Wallops Flight Facility

Advance a transportation policy approach

that focuses on corridors of regional
and statewide significance and strategic
investments that have the greatest impact
on performance and safety.
Establish performance-based priorities that
reduce travel times, improve travel speeds
and reduce road congestion and delays.

12

Identify and address threats to these assets.

Build on current efforts to maximize the
value of these world class assets.

Maintain and
Strengthen an All of
the Above Strategy in
Transportation
Take an all of the above strategy
in transportation, with meaningful
investments in all modes of transportation.
Develop transportation policies in
coordination with other significant public
policy priorities, including economic
development and environmental
stewardship.
When feasible, pursue opportunities to
invest in projects that will enrich the quality
of life of Virginians beyond highways,
aviation, transit and rail such as bike paths
and sidewalks.

Continue Tradition of
Innovation Even in an Era
of Improved Funding
Build on past innovations such as the Public
Private Transportation Act (PPTA), VDOT
reform across several administrations, and
use of HOT lanes and congestion pricing on
the Capitol Beltway.
Support technology and innovation in
transportation policy.

Transportation
Aviation &
Aerospace
Enhance transportation network
to Wallops Island in support of
commercial space launches.
Expand partnerships with
aerospace industry, military &
education institutions.
Enhance aviation/aerospace
education to address the short
supply of critical job skills in the
STEM fields.

Highways

Ports

Rail & Transit

Repair deficient pavements.

Improve multimodal facilities

throughout the Virginia port
system to handle anticipated
increase in freight as a result of the
Panama Canal expansion.

Improve transit in rural areas.

Rehabilitate structurally deficient

bridges.
Increase highway capacity of I-81
in strategic locations.
Increase highway capacity of I-64
between Richmond and Hampton
Roads.
Complete construction of I-73
between I-581 in Roanoke & the
North Carolina Border.
Increase interstate capacity around
the Washington, D.C. Metro Area.

Promote development of the

Commonwealth Connector (State
Highway 460).

Improve freight rail along I-81

corridor including the completion
of proposed Intermodal Freight
Center in the greater Roanoke
area.
Invest in higher speed and reliable
rail service between Washington
D.C., Richmond, and Hampton
Roads and between Richmond and
Raleigh.

Overall
Competitiveness
Expand the Port and related
intermodal facilities.
Support Dulles International
Airport and growth of the
Dulles Corridor.
Connect higher speed and
intercity rail with regional
transit systems.
Improve freight mobility.
Support major military facilities.
Complete unfinished PPTAs.

Investment in tunnels and bridges

in Hampton Roads.
Protect Route 29 corridor for
future improvements.

13

GOAL:
Use innovation to transform
Virginias health care system into
a competitive advantage through
improvements in population
health, cost, access and quality.

Health Care
INDUSTRY COUNCIL CHAIR: TONYA MALLORY PRESIDENT & CEO OF HDL, INC.

Population Health and

Wellness
Focus on population health as it is among
Virginias weakest attributes on Virginia
Performs, ranking middle of the pack in
most indicators.
Use population health improvements as a
key lever in cost containment and a driver
for savings.
Invest in data analytics to take advantage
of Virginias emerging data infrastructure
(HIE and APCD). This is necessary to
ensure transparency, engage consumers,
cost-effective care, and accountability.
Invest in prevention and pursue high-value
treatment of chronic disease, behavioral
health, and special needs populations.
Promote public policy and private efforts to
improve individual wellness and population
health, including but not limited to
managed care for public health program
participants, employee wellness efforts, or
community health efforts.

14

Quality, Access, and Cost

Health Workforce

Innovation

Implement Medicaid reform and expansion

to help reduce cost shifting onto insured
patients and employers for the cost of
treating the uninsured.

Solving our growing health workforce

challenges will improve the states
competitiveness and strengthen our health
care system.

Focus on improving the value of care

defined as quality and cost.

Address the need for additional clinical

training slots - the key challenge to address
short and long-term needs.

Invest in efforts to drive multi-stakeholder,

system-level reform, such as the Virginia
Center for Health Innovations Health
Innovation Plan. This is important for
promoting long-term improvement in our
health care system.

Use payment reform as a key lever to improve

value for both public and private payers.
Empower health care consumers and/or
their responsible decision -makers with
information to enable appropriate and costeffective care decisions in partnership with
their providers.
Support expanded access to care as a means
for controlling costs and improving quality,
recognizing that the hospital emergency room
is the least appropriate and most expensive
place to provide routine access to care.
Strengthen the individual and small group
insurance market through public and
private innovation.

BLUEPRINT VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Develop more team-based models of care

to accommodate the needs of a population
that is both growing and aging.
Integrate returning veterans into the health
workforce a key opportunity to both
strengthen and diversify it.

Replicate best practice innovations within

Virginias existing health care system.
Recognize innovation as an important
component in transforming our states
health care system into a competitive
advantage for Virginia.
Encourage employer led health care
coalitions on a regional basis.

Technology, Innovation
& Startups

GOAL:
Ensure that Virginia remains
a leader in technology,
innovation and startups.

INDUSTRY COUNCIL CHAIRS : BOB STOLLE SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS FOR CIT;
JOSH LEVI VICE PRESIDENT OF POLICY FOR NORTHERN VIRGINIA TECHNOLOGY COUNCIL

Innovation
Funding
Identify and encourage
adequate funding and
tax policy: Center for
Innovative Technology GAP
Funds; Angel Investment
Tax Credit; capital gains tax
exemption; Commonwealth
Research Commercialization
Fund; R&D Tax Credit.
Promote the creation of
regional private investment
funds.

Entrepreneurship
Create a stronger
environment for
entrepreneurship (outreach
on available resources,
teaching entrepreneurship
in the schools, and statewide
recognition).
Enhance Virginias Business
One-Stop portal.

Technology
Sectors
Continue to use the R&T
Strategic Roadmap for
investment in priority
sectors.

STEM Education

Commercialization

Broadband

Continue to encourage
experiential STEM
opportunities for students,
such as the CSIIP.

Strengthen the
Commonwealths efforts to
commercialize university
intellectual property and
support federal facilities IP
transfer initiatives.

Continue to invest in
expanding broadband
coverage and planning
efforts.

Continue to explore policies

to recruit and retain STEM
teachers.
Continue to emphasize
STEM degree attainment.

Promote cooperation and

coordination through
public-private partnerships
to expand broadband
services and lower
deployment costs in areas
where broadband expansion
is not economically feasible.

Support the creation

of industry-specific
accelerators.

15

GOAL:
Create a balanced, sustainable
energy policy that supports
economic development and
job growth while meeting the
growing needs of our population
and business community.

Energy
INDUSTRY COUNCIL CHAIR: PRESTON BRYANT SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF
INFRASTRUCTURE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOR MCGUIREWOODS CONSULTING

All of the Above

Strategy Job Creation
Shape public policies to take advantage of
the dramatic increases in domestic energy
supply.
Support the full range of energy
resources in Virginia to promote stable
rates, economic development, energy
independence, and environmental
protection.
Focus on energy investment opportunities
that promote jobs, capital investment, and
economic development.
Build on Virginias affordable energy prices
and reliable energy supply as a competitive
advantage in recruiting business to the
Commonwealth.

16

Infrastructure Investment

Energy Reliability

Efficiency & Education

Encourage continued fuel diversity

through traditional and alternative energy
investments in new sources of power
generation, including but not limited to
natural gas, coal, nuclear, biomass, solar,
and wind.

Support investments in grid reliability

and security to promote the most reliable
possible service.

Leverage private-sector investments for

energy-efficiency improvements in stateowned buildings.

Promote energy infrastructure planning to

make the states energy supply resilient and
secure.

Bring new energy-efficiency technologies to

market through incentives.

Identify highest potential opportunities

for gas infrastructure investment to spur
economic development.
Better position Virginias offshore wind
industry through investments in data
technology, port capacity, and other
opportunities to increase the supply chain
potential of offshore wind.

BLUEPRINT VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Encourage energy policy that accounts for

the increased risk of energy disruption.
Emphasize the importance of infrastructure
investments to energy regulators and
companies.

Strengthen consumer education and

technical support for energy efficiency.
Provide understandable, useable
information to energy consumers directly at
the consumer and retail level.
Localize Virginias energy education efforts.

GOAL:

Manufacturing

Strengthen Virginias business

climate and public policies to
enhance the growth of advanced
manufacturing throughout the
Commonwealth

INDUSTRY COUNCIL CHAIRS: CHRIS CALDWELL GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS MANAGER SOUTHEAST

REGION FOR DUPONT; BRETT VASSEY PRESIDENT & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE VIRGINIA
MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION

Taxes

Regulation

Economic Development

Energy

Support policies that will

lower the effective tax rate for
manufacturers.

Emphasize a reduction in regulatory

barriers and costs.

Strengthen economic development

incentives for job creation and retention.

Support adequate funding for

environmental regulatory agencies.

Support an assessment to determine what

agency should manage the Virginia Jobs
Investment Program.

Encourage diversity in the Commonwealths

energy portfolio to maintain low cost
energy.

Encourage adequate general fund

investments in wastewater and water
treatment facilities.

Strengthen export assistance to small and

medium manufacturers.

BLUEPRINT VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

17

GOAL:
Protect, conserve and develop our
natural, historic and recreational
resources through business
initiatives and sustainable
solutions.

Environment
INDUSTRY COUNCIL CHAIR: DENNIS TREACY EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND
CHIEF SUSTAINABILITY OFFICER FOR SMITHFIELD FOODS, INC.

Water

Land

Air

Climate

Continue progress in restoring the

Chesapeake Bay and Virginia rivers and
streams.

Continue to partner with federal military

bases to conserve lands around base
perimeters to avoid land use conflicts.

Continue to strike a balance between

economic growth and air quality for
Virginias citizens.

Maintain efforts to identify sources of water

impairments and implement cleanup plans.

Encourage adequate funding for state

Brownfields programs.

Support adaptation planning for the

potential effects of changing weather
patterns and natural disasters with state
assistance.

Continue the implementation of

Virginias Chesapeake Bay Phase II, Water
Implementation Plan

Continue to preserve lands through

approaches such as tax credits, grants, and
occasional bond issuances.

Promote coordinated public-private

approaches to developing and
implementing modern stormwater practices
and technologies.
Continue to encourage wise stewardship of
water resources and supplies.
Invest in agriculture stewardship practices
and local government stormwater
infrastructure needs.

18

BLUEPRINT VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Environment
Sustainability

Government

Recreation

Encourage sustainable business practices through

approaches, such as: environmental management systems;
reuse and recycling programs; green buildings; reporting
and disclosure; and, goal setting.

Support adequate resources for Virginias environmental

regulatory agencies.

Support the protection of parks, trails, boat landings, and

other water access points.

Continue to manage environmental programs in a

responsible manner and focus on issues that can be
controlled by Virginia.

Encourage multiple use spaces for recreation.

Support strong game and wildlife management programs
in Virginia.

Promote a balance between appropriate government

oversight and permitting with economic expansion and
commerce.

BLUEPRINT VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

19

GOAL:

Military & Veterans Affairs

Preserve Virginias military

assets and support veterans
and their families through
increased educational and job
opportunities.

INDUSTRY COUNCIL CHAIR: ADMIRAL (RET.) JOHN C. HARVEY CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMISSION ON
MILITARY INSTALLATIONS & DEFENSE ACTIVITIES

Preserve Virginia-based
Military Assets
Leverage our proven record as the best host
state for preservation of military assets in
an era of defense cutbacks.
Continue progress made since the last
round of BRAC in reducing threats.
Implement recommendations from the
Governors Commission on Military
Installations and Defense Activities.
Build on the core military assets and seek to
expand their mission and economic impact.

20

Support Military Families

Partner with state government to examine
the full range of opportunities to support
military families in education, health and
human services, and in the workplace.
Review long-standing positions of the
business community and state government
to consider if they make sense in the context
of a military drawdown and the stresses
facing military families as a result of both
continued overseas commitments and
federal resource constraints.

Integrate Veterans Into

the Economy

Prepare for the

Challenges Ahead

Recognize the many advantages that welltrained, well-disciplined, highly motivated

veterans bring to the civilian workforce.

Continue the Governors Commission on

Military Installations and Defense Activities
in an appropriate form during the next
administration.

Make a business-community wide

commitment to helping veterans transition
into the civilian economy as the military
drawdown is implemented. (i.e. Virginia
Values Veterans)
Continue to replicate the successful Troops
to Energy model in other industries
in Virginia, such as the current efforts
underway for healthcare.

Partner with host communities to prepare

for future base closure and related
efforts at the federal level to include land
preservation where appropriate.
Accelerate investments in transportation
infrastructure to support current and future
military assets.

Stakeholders
We would like to recognize
the organizations and
individuals who contributed
their leadership, insights and
support to Blueprint Virginia.

CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE
Altavista Area
Amherst County
Appomattox County
Arlington
Bedford Area
Botetourt County
Bristol
Buchanan County
Charlottesville Regional
Culpeper County
Danville Pittsylvania
Dulles Regional
Emporia-Greensville
Fairfax County
Farmville Area
Fauquier
Franklin-Southampton Area
Fredericksburg Regional
Gloucester County
Greater Augusta Regional
Greater Reston
Greater Richmond
Greater Springfield
Greater Williamsburg
Halifax County
Hampton Roads
Harrisonburg-Rockingham
Lancaster by the Bay

Loudoun County
Louisa
Lynchburg Regional
Martinsville-Henry County
Montgomery County
Mid-Atlantic Hispanic
Orange County
Patrick County
Petersburg
Prince William
Roanoke Regional
Salem-Roanoke County
South Hill
Smith Mountain Lake Regional
Tappahannock-Essex
Top of Virginia Regional
Virginia Peninsula
Vinton
Virginia Asian
Virginia Hispanic
Warsaw-Richmond County
York County

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
ORGANIZATIONS
Virginia Economic Development Partnership
City of Newport News Economic Development
City of Richmond Economic Development
Greater Richmond Partnership

BLUEPRINT VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

21

Stakeholders (cont.)

Fluvanna County Department of Community

Development
Franklin-Southampton Economic Development
Fredericksburg Regional Alliance
Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance
Hampton Roads Partnership
King George Economic Development
Loudoun County Economic Development
Mary Washington Center for Economic Development
New River Valley Economic Development Alliance
Northern Neck-Chesapeake Bay Regional Partnership
Roanoke Regional Partnership
Shenandoah Valley Partnership
Southern Virginia Regional Alliance
Thomas Jefferson Partnership
Virginias Region 2000 Partnership
Virginia Economic Developers Association
Washington County Economic Development

PLANNING COMMISSIONS
Virginia Association of Planning District Commissions
Accomack-Northampton Planning District Commission
Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission
Crater Planning District Commission
George Washington Regional Commission
Hampton Roads Planning District Commission
LENOWISCO Planning District Commission

22

BLUEPRINT VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

New River Valley Planning District Commission

Northern Neck Planning District Commission
Northern Virginia Planning District Commission
Rappahannock-Rapidan Regional Commission
Richmond Regional Commission
Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission
Southside Planning District Commission
Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission
West Piedmont Planning District Commission
Regional Collaboratives
Capitol Region Collaborative
Dan River Region Collaborative

INDUSTRY EXPERTS, ASSOCIATIONS

AND NONPROFITS
Greater Washington Board of Trade
Hampton Roads Center for Civic Engagement
Northern Virginia Technology Council
Commission on Health Care
Peninsula Council for Workforce Development
US Small Business Coalition
Virginia Alternative & Renewable Energy Association
Virginia Association of Health Plans
Virginia Association of REALTORS
Virginia Bankers Association
Virginia Biotechnology Association
Virginia Business Coalition on Health

Virginia Career College Association

Virginia Department of Housing and Community
Development
Virginia Energy Efficiency Council
Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association
Virginia Manufacturers Association
Virginia Petroleum Council
Virginia Port Authority
Virginia Rural Center
Virginia Transportation Construction Alliance
Virginia Trucking Association
Virginia Business Council
Virginia Tech Foundation
Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership
Thomas Jefferson Institute for Public Policy

LEADERSHIP ORGANIZATIONS
LEAD VIRGINIA
LEAD Hampton Roads
Leadership Arlington
Leadership Charlottesville
Leadership Greater Augusta
Leadership Fairfax
Leadership Fredericksburg
Leadership Lynchburg
Leadership Metro Institute
Leadership New River Valley

Strategic Partner
Jane Kusiak, Executive Director | Kim McKay, Research and Policy Analyst

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

919 East Main Street

Suite 900
Richmond, VA 23219
www.vachamber.com
(804) 644-1607

Jeff Allende, Lineage Logistics

Vincent Ammann, Jr., WGL Holdings, Inc.
Craig D. Bell, McGuireWoods LLP
Gilbert Bland, The GilJoy Group
Christopher Caldwell, DuPont
Colin G. Campbell, Colonial Williamsburg
Foundation
Timothy J. Clark, Blair Construction, Inc.
Whittington W. Clement, Hunton & Williams
Bob Cramer, Norfolk Southern Corporation
Clifford A. Cutchins IV, McGuireWoods LLP
Michael A. Daniels, LMI
Ben J. Davenport, Jr., First Piedmont Corporation
Linda Decker, The Flory Small Business Center,
Inc.
Mark Dempsey, Appalachian Power Company
Tom DeWitt, SNVC
James W. Dunn, Bon Secours Virginia Health
System
William Ermatinger, Huntington Ingalls Industries
Kent D. Farmer, Rappahannock Electric
Cooperative
Tammy M. Finley, Advance Auto Parts, Inc.
B. Keith Fulton, Verizon

Gerald L. Gordon, Fairfax County Economic

Development Authority
Gary M. Gore, US Trust
Matthew C. Harris, The Boars Head
Tony Howard, Loudoun County Chamber of
Commerce
C. David Hudgins, Old Dominion Electric
Cooperative
Suzy Kelly, Jo-Kell, Inc.
C. Burke King, Anthem BlueCross and BlueShield
Mark S. Lawrence, Carilion Clinic
Greg Madsen, LewisGale Hospital Alleghany
Tonya Mallory, Health Diagnostic Laboratory, Inc.
Ned Massee, MWV Corporation
Gary McCollum, Cox Communications
Matthew McQueen, Northrop Grumman
Corporation
Stacy Mendler, Alion Science & Technology
Charles Meyer, LeClair Ryan PC
William L. Murray, Dominion Resources
Services, Inc.
Toru Nishizawa, Canon Virginia, Inc.
Douglas Palais, Park Palais Attorneys
Thomas C. Palmer, Wells Fargo Bank North
America
Keith A. Porter, United Parcel Service

William Powers, Rolls-Royce North America, Inc.

Donald L. Ratliff, Alpha Natural Resources
Robert F. Riley, Williams Mullen
Richard Rose, Barter Theatre
John Rust, Jr., Rust & Rust, PC
Jack W. Sanford, Jr., Faulconer Construction Co.,
Inc.
Samuel A. Schreiber, Wells Fargo Bank
C. Grigsby Scifres, Williams Mullen
Jennifer Siciliano, Inova Health System
Eric Sisco, APM Terminals Americas
Randy Smith, WSET, Incorporated
Todd J. Smith, Huntington Ingalls Industries
Raymond D. Smoot, Jr., Virginia Tech Foundation,
Inc.
John G. Stallings, SunTrust Bank
Gary Thomson, CPA, Dixon Hughes Goodman
James Thornton, Huntington Ingalls Industries
Dennis H. Treacy, Smithfield Foods, Inc.
Vernon T. Turner, Smithfield Foods, Inc.
William J. Vakos III, W. J. Vakos Companies
W. Bruce Wingo, Norfolk Southern Corporation

BLUEPRINT VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

23

Blueprint Sponsors
CORNERSTONE SPONSORS

PRESENTING FIRM SPONSORS

PRESENTING SPONSORS

CORPORATE SPONSORS