Barry DuVal: EPA Saps Virginia’s Energy
Barry DuVal: EPA Saps Virginia’s Energy For the past four decades, Virginians have invested heavily in clean energy. Unfortunately, a draft regulation from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released in June threatens to create a competitive disadvantage for Virginia relative to its neighboring states. We have four nuclear units in Virginia that produce virtually no […]
WHY MILITARY SUCCESS CAN LEAD TO BUSINESS SUCCESS: 5 TRAITS VETERANS SHARE WITH BUSINESS LEADERS
Veterans possess many of the traits employers say they look for in job candidates, a recent study conducted by Syracuse University’s Institute for Veterans and Military Families concluded. Their report, “The Business Case for Hiring a Veteran,” identified specific characteristics many veterans display that help them excel in the workplace. Among other conclusions, the researchers […]
Empowering Virginia’s Workforce
by Paul Koonce, Chair, Blueprint Virginia Virginia’s economic success will increasingly depend on our ability to compete effectively for jobs in the global marketplace. For that, we need the most highly skilled and educated work force. To accomplish this, it is vital that we support and leverage one of Virginia’s core assets — our system […]
GOVERNOR MCAULIFFE TO ESTABLISH SOLAR ENERGY AUTHORITY (TIMES DISPATCH)
Governor McAuliffe announced on October 14, 2014, plans to set up a state solar energy development authority. The agency would facilitate public-private partnerships in solar energy use, operate similarly to the Virginia Offshore Wind Development Authority, and promote the growth of the solar industry in the state. The authority would look at opportunities for growth […]
MANUFACTURING STILL MATTERS (ROANOKE TIMES)
According to a new study released by the U.S. Department of Commerce, six of Virginia’s top 10 manufacturing localities are in Southwest Virginia: Smyth County ranks first, Patrick County is third, Pulaski County fifth, Bland County sixth, Giles County seventh, and Wythe County is tenth. In 1958, manufacturing accounted for 28.5 percent of the American […]
GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE ADDRESSES THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY IN NEW REPORT (WASHINGTON EXAMINER)
According to a new report released by the Government Accountability Office, the Environmental Protection Agency needs to do a better job explaining and disclosing the data it uses to determine the costs of proposed regulations, particularly those regarding climate change. While the agency adhered to many of the guidelines outlined by the White House Office […]
VIRGINIA HAS THE FASTEST INTERNET SPEED IN THE US (CNET)
If you’re looking for the fastest Internet service in the US, you should pack your bags for Virginia. With an average of 13.7 megabits per second, Virginia tops the country for the speediest Internet access, according to Broadview Networks. According to their most recent study, if a state has an average speed higher than 10 […]
PROPOSED MILITARY REDUCTIONS WILL SIGNIFICANTLY EFFECT VIRGINIA’S ECONOMY
The Army has completed a Supplemental Programmatic Environmental Assessment (SPEA) that analyzes, among other things, the economic impact that proposed military reductions will have on the economies surrounding the military bases under consideration for realignment. The study was conducted in response to the Army’s 2020 Force Structure Realignment Plan, which proposes reducing the size of […]
Investing in People as an Economic Growth Strategy (Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond)
According to Jeff Lacker, President of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, a “consensus has developed amongst economists that human capital is more than just the number of years spent in school or on the job. Research suggests that noncognitive skills — such as following instructions, patience, and work ethic — lay the foundation for […]
