Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling announced the formation of the Southern Virginia Regional Alliance last Friday at Riverstone Technology Park. The Southern Virginia Regional Alliance is a marketing venture by six localities, including Halifax County, to showcase the region's economic assets.

Bolling joined local and regional economic developers in hailing the potential of the Alliance to bring jobs and growth to Southside Virginia, with localities working together rather than in competition to bring business to the region.

"It is important that we all work together to promote economic development and job creation," said Bolling, who has been dubbed by Gov. Bob McDonnell as the administration's point man on jobs creation. He said the Southern Virginia Regional Alliance would fill a void in region-wide marketing and strategic planning that will yield benefits as businesses look to expand in the future.

Bolling expressed optimism that the additional marketing effort would pay off.

"I am confident that the position of this region is as good as any in the state and better than most to take advantage of an economic resurgence when it happens. They have worked hard over the years to put the right resources in place," said Bolling.

Resources such as 27 industrial parks, 17 shovel-ready sites and a skilled workforce with substantial manufacturing experience make this a prime location for international companies, particularly those in the advanced manufacturing space.

The organization's executive director, Leigh Cockram, said she have developed marketing materials for the region and started meeting with company site selection officials last fall.

Cockram said the regional pitch would revolve around a message of "this is a place you can come to do business and do it well.”

"We have the labor force and the skill set that manufacturers need," she said.

Bolling and Cockram noted that the regional venture will not replace local economic development initiatives but complement them. After the Alliance identifies companies interested in the area, "It'll be up to local developers to sell their communities and seal the deal," said Cockram.

"I know there will continue to be some competition among the partners," said Bolling, "and that's a good thing."

The Southern Virginia Regional Alliance started with a budget of some $600,000, funded in equal thirds by the General Assembly, the Virginia Tobacco Commission and contributions from each of the six participating localities.

Recognizing that global companies and site selection consultants look at regions, not city or county lines, the group is working to pool their resources to effectively communicate the assets of the region. This regional marketing group is made up of six localities, including the counties of Halifax, Pittsylvania, Henry and Patrick and the cities of Danville and Martinsville.

Southern Virginia Regional Alliance's logo and website were designed and developed by Glerin Business Resources, a web, mobile and graphics design company headquartered in Halifax.