14 Organizations Attend C-CARE Pre-Proposal Meeting

Halifax County Industrial Development Authority (IDA) hosted a mandatory Pre-Proposal Meeting for the National Center for Coatings Application Research and Education (C-CARE) December 6, 2013 at Riverstone Centre. 14 different coatings industry businesses, professional associations, and workforce training and education organizations attended the meeting. C-CARE is part of Halifax's economic development tool-kit which aims to provide assets and programs to support and attract industries that require advanced manufacturing technology and skill sets. The IDA has issued the C-CARE Request for Proposal (RFP) to attract an operator, or team of operators, for C-CARE who can meet critical economic development goals. "C-CARE is a world-class facility in Halifax, Virginia," said Matt Leonard, the IDA's Executive Director. "We need world-class operators to make the most of it. This RFP process is our way of finding them."

The mission of C-CARE is to assist manufacturers with their process engineering, research and development, and work-force training needs in the application of coatings to their final products. The C-CARE lab in Riverstone Technology Park has been recognized by industry as a one-of-a-kind facility and rounds out Halifax's capability in aiding manufacturer's in all cycles of product development, including modeling and simulation, design, engineering, and prototyping. "We were well pleased with the turnout of various industries and stakeholders along the coatings and advanced manufacturing spectrum," commented Dr. Doug Corrigan, Executive Director of the IDA's Riverstone Energy Center. "The quality and reputation of these organizations underscores our ongoing vision of creating a world-class and one-of-a-kind program for an unmet need in the industry."

Attendees were given an overview of the RFP and then toured Riverstone Energy Center, C-CARE, and the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center's Innovation Center. Responses to the C-CARE RFP are due February 21, 2014.

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Patsy Vaughan Retires After 30 Years of Service

Patsy Vaughan retired from the Halifax IDA on December 31, 2013 after 30 years of service.

"Patsy has served the IDA and the community long and well," said IDA Executive Director, Matt Leonard. "She has earned her retirement. We wish her well."

Ted Bennett, the current Chairman of the IDA's Operations and Personnel Committee has worked with Vaughan for nearly all of her time at the IDA, and describes her contributions this way, "Patsy has been at the center of the successes enjoyed by the county's industrial development efforts since before and after the creation of the Industrial Development Authority. Her contributions to the amazing economic progress and job growth in the county during those years are immeasurable. They stand as proof of her legacy to the thousands of people who secured their jobs and financial security because of her quiet but enduring efforts on their behalf over three decades. We will miss her but never forget her dedication to the economic welfare of the county and its citizens."

Vaughan first came to the IDA as a part-time employee in 1981, moving to full time in 1983. Over her three decades she has worn many hats including Interim Executive Director on four occasions. In the last 10 years she has been the IDA's Development Director, managing project grants, construction activites, and administering the Enterprize Zone and other incentive programs. "Patsy has worked with me over the last year to update and streamline how we handle these important functions," Leonard said.

During her tenure, Vaughan helped locate the following industries into the county: O'Sullivan Industries, FlexTec, NPS, RW, Power Partners, BHK of America, Annin & Company, J. M. Huber Corporation, Clover Power Station, Daystrom Furniture, d-Scan (now Tvilum), Dollar General Corporation, The Software Factory, Gloster Furniture, Penske, Estes Express Lines, Adesta, Cherokee Tobacco Company, LASCO Bathware (now Aquatic), Marriott Fairfield Inn & Suites, Mid-Atlantic Broadband, VIR, Lindstrand USA, TMI AutoTech, NOVI Energy, Pacific Headwear, RTP Company, Sunshine Mills, VEC and DMV Call Centers, Faneuil, and the National Tire Research Center.

"I have been blessed to have been an employee of the IDA, and a part of the ever changing world of economic development," Vaughan stated, adding that she has "been privileged to have worked with visionaries to make Halifax County a better place to live. It has been a challenging and rewarding experience." She believes she "has made a difference."

At various times during her career Vaughan has also been active in the International Economic Development Council, Virginia Economic Developers Association (VEDA), Halifax County Tourism Board, Southern Economic Development Council, Rural Planning Caucus of Virginia, Council for Business, Industry and Government, Halifax County Chamber of Commerce, Longwood Small Business Development Center Advisory Board, American Business Women's Association.

Ribbon cutting for NOVEC Energy Production, Halifax County Biomass plant

Secretary of Commerce and Trade Jim Cheng, Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative and its development partner NOVI Energy and more than 150 Virginia state and local officials and guests celebrated the "grand opening" of the NOVEC Energy Production, Halifax County Biomass plant Thursday with a luncheon at The Prizery followed by a ribbon cutting and plant tour.

"It's great to be back in Virginia for this event. I am honored to be here to represent the governor and the lieutenant governor in this

remarkable grand opening of the power plant in Halifax County," said Cheng.

"It's been a long time coming, since 2009. But, you know, in terms of energy production, that's really an amazingly short time frame. It shows great teamwork between localities, the state, the federal government and of course, NOVEC."

Among the speakers were Stan Feuerburg, president and CEO of NOVEC, Thomas West, chairman of the Halifax County Board of Supervisors, South Boston Mayor Ed Owens, John Paldalino, the administrator of Rural Utilities Service, Sheldon Petersen, the CEO of Cooperative Finance Corporation, Tom Halverson, the chief banking officer of CoBank, Anand Gangadharan, president of NOVI Energy, and Wade House, chairman of NOVEC Board of Directors.

Each speaker expressed appreciation for the new state-of-the-art renewable energy power plant, located on Plywood Trail in South Boston.

This plant will be capable of generating 49.9 megawatts of electricity for the cooperatives' customer-owners by burning wood chips. The wood waste is burned as fuel to create power in a "carbon-neutral" process creating steam. The steam then spins a turbine that produces energy. "Reclaimed water" from the local water authority will be used to cool the plant.

The plant will provide enough electricity to power 16,000 homes.

Read more ...

Work Ready Graduate Earns MS Certification

Marque Medley, graduate of the Work Ready Foundations^© work readiness-training program offered by Workforce Services at the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center, recently earned his Manufacturing Specialist (MS) certification. The certification is part of Virginia Manufacturers Association (VMA)’s Manufacturing Technology training program. This program is a highly specialized course based on the techniques and interrelationships found in high performance manufacturing and production.

To obtain the Manufacturing Specialist certification, Medley had to demonstrate skills attainment in 12 critical technical skills, and obtain passing scores on the Math and Measurement, and Spatial Reasoning and Manufacturing Technology assessment modules. Medley passed with a near perfect score, only missing two questions on the entire test. The MT1 assessment is offered as part of the Work Ready Foundations^©program.

“By obtaining the Manufacturing Specialist Certificate, Marque now has a nationally recognized portable and stackable industry credential.  It shows employers anywhere in the region that he has attained a certain level of industry-wide technical skills in Math and Measurement, and Spatial Reasoning and Manufacturing Technology.  These core manufacturing skills are essential to all production-related occupations in modern manufacturing,” said Katherine DeRosear, VMA Director of Workforce Development.

The Manufacturing Specialist certification is an industry-wide technical skill certification that “stacks” upon the National Career Readiness Certificate (a credential Medley also holds). Together, the certifications give Medley an advantage in a competitive job market. “Having these credentials, especially the Manufacturing Specialist certification, has already given me the opportunity to interview for positions I otherwise would have been turned down for,” Medley stated.

Since completing the Work Ready Foundations^© program summer 2013, Medley has been taking welding courses at Virginia Technical Institute, and is hoping to find a job that will allow him to stay close to home and complete his welding courses. “I don’t have experience in manufacturing, but this certification will help me get into that field,” he continued.

According to Dr. Nettie Simon-Owens, “Marque is a very hardworking determined young man who excelled in all aspects of the Work Ready Foundations^© training program. He will be an exceptional employee because he is a fast learner, he readily assists others as needed, enjoys learning, and strives to be a high-performer. We are very proud of Marque and his accomplishments and consider him a good representative of the Work Ready Foundations program^©.”

For more information about Work Ready Foundations^© visit www.svhec.org , email workforce@svhec.org, or call 434-572-5593 and toll free 1-800-283-0098 ext 5593.

For more information about the Manufacturing Specialist certification visitwww.vamanufacturers.com.

SVHEC recieves software grant from Siemens PLM Software

SVHEC to use the same technology in its classrooms that companies worldwide
depend on to design some of today’s most sophisticated products

Computers in this lab will be loaded with Siemens Go PLM software for student instruction & workforce training.

Today, the SVHEC announced it received an in-kind software grant from Siemens PLM Software, with a commercial value of $94 million.

The SVHEC will adopt the software for students training in Product Design & Development (a program offered in partnership with Danville Community College), and for use in the R&D Center for Advanced Manufacturing & Energy Efficiency (R&D CAMEE). R&D CAMEE will use Siemens PLM software for workforce training, and to resolve advanced manufacturing product development and process solutions for regional business and industry.

The software adoption gives students and industries across southern Virginia access to the same technology that companies around the world depend on every day to develop innovative products in a wide variety of industries including automotive, aerospace, machinery, shipbuilding, high-tech electronics and many more. Graduates with this type of software training are highly-recruited candidates for advanced technology jobs.

The in-kind grant for the SVHEC includes Siemens PLM Software’s Teamcenter® portfolio, the world’s most widely used digital lifecycle management software, NX™ software, a leading integrated solution for computer-aided design, manufacturing and engineering (CAD/CAM/CAE), and Solid Edge® software, the most complete hybrid 2D/3D CAD system.

“The SVHEC is excited to work with Siemens PLM Software to provide industry-leading tech­nology in the classroom. This partnership strengthens our continuing efforts to meet the needs of employers and prepare students for significant high-paying STEM careers,” said Dr. Betty H. Adams, SVHEC executive director.

“Siemens PLM Software is pleased to provide this software to the SVHEC so students can leverage the same technology used by leading multi-national manufactur­ing companies. It allows them to gain the technical experience needed in a highly competitive job market that requires deep knowledge of advanced manufacturing technologies and processes,” said Bill Boswell, senior director, partner strategy, Siemens PLM Software.

The in-kind grant was provided by Siemens PLM Software’s academic program that delivers PLM software technology to more than one million students yearly at more than 11,000 global institutions. The software provided is used at every academic level – from grade schools to graduate engineering research programs.

About the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center

The mission of the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center is advancing southern Virginia’s economic potential through education, innovation, and collaboration. The SVHEC provides educational access and workforce training, and is focused on re-tooling southern Virginia’s rural workforce for jobs in the new economy. Established in 1986, the SVHEC is an independent state agency located in two re-purposed tobacco warehouses in the heart of downtown South Boston, VA. For more information call 434-572-5440, or email information@svhec.org.

Tourism efforts gaining steam

Tourism is gaining momentum in Halifax County, supporters say, and efforts are ongoing to build up the county’s tourist assets. “Halifax County has a wealth of things to do,” said Virginia State Park District Manager Tim Vest, speaking Monday before members of the Halifax County Board of Supervisors and South Boston and Halifax town councils. Vest thanked elected officials for their support of local tourism, which has helped the county’s two state parks attract a growing number of visitors. Enumerating the various activities and historic treasures of Halifax County, Vest cited its three rivers — the Staunton, Dan and Banister — as well as the archeological site near Clover’s Staunton River Battlefield State Park, where visitors can join professional archeologists in unearthing historic Native American finds from thousands of years ago. Vest also noted the appeal of the historic Berry Hill Plantation, The Prizery and the Crossing of the Dan site to outsiders visiting the county. Much of his focus, however, centered around activities at Staunton River State Park and Staunton River Battlefield Park. He talked about the recent star gazing party at Staunton River Park, which this year attracted more than 300 people, from amateur star gazers to more advanced astronomers.

 CHAOS (The Chapel Hill Astronomical and Observation Society) hosts star parties each spring and fall, with one night featuring a free public viewing. The crowds have grown from ten people who attended the first party in 2011 to 110 registered participants during the Oct. 1-6 event this year at Staunton River State Park, said Vest.

A group of youths from New York visited the park, Vest added, and for the first time ever were able to see the stars.

Vest said the Staunton River State Park location is one of the top sites on the East Coast for star gazing, and he urged governing officials to preserve the area’s dark skies by encouraging the use of incandescent or low wattage electric bulbs in construction projects.

Other popular features at Staunton River State Park are its recently-opened equestrian trail and Edmunds Lake, one of the largest fishing areas in the state.

Vest also touted the proposed creation of river trail system involving South Boston, Halifax, the Battlefield Park and Staunton River State Park. Local tourism officials are seeking a $10,000 grant for the trail from the Virginia Tourism Corporation, which require a local match of $10,000. He said Virginia State Parks has pledged $3,000 with Mecklenburg and Halifax County each contributing $1,500.

The remaining $4,000 would be sought from the Virginia Capital group, which supports non-profits, according to Halifax County Tourism Director Linda Shepperd.

Shepperd said the grant application was submitted to the Tourism Corporation on Monday and she hopes for an answer before Christmas.

The grant, she said, encourages a regional approach, which is favored by state officials. “We feel we have a strong proposal which includes not only the Staunton, Dan and Banister rivers, but also the Hyco. All told we have some 200 miles of navigable rivers.”

In other reports, Halifax Town Manager Carl Espy spoke on the 2013 Scenic Awards ceremony held in Richmond recently. Three newly designated state scenic rivers were recognized by Scenic Virginia, the statewide conservation organization with a particular focus on the preservation of significant views and vistas. On July 1, a 38.4 mile segment of the Banister River was awarded the scenic river designation, Espy said, with sections of the Dan and Meherrin Rivers receiving the same designation.

Supervisors and Council members presented Del. James Edmunds with a framed resolution thanking him for his continued dedication towards protecting and promoting the community’s natural resources. Edmunds was the patron of House Bill #2220 dealing with scenic river designations.

Supervisors and Council members also heard a report from Library Board Chairman Bee Edmunds Espy. She advised that representatives of the State Library have recommended that the local library board consider joining a regional library system with Campbell County, which is partnering with Lynchburg and Bedford County. With regional status bringing additional state funds, Espy said partnering with Campbell County would mean a bonus of $35,677 for Halifax libraries. The state formula for funding, she explained, is based on basic state aid — 40 percent of local expenditures plus 30 cents per capital and $10 per square mile.

The state formula for regional libraries is 40 percent basic state aid, 30 cents per capital or 60 cents if combined with Campbell, Bedford and Lynchburg and $30 per square mile.

In addition to the increased financial support, Espy said other benefits includes having a greater source of materials to offer patrons, as well as having only one director for the entire library region. But the process can be complex and lengthy and could take as long as two years to complete.

She said the Library Board will continue to evaluate the recommendation and work with the Joint Library Committee to come to some decision on the feasibility or regionalization.

Following the joint session with the towns, County Supervisors approved a resolution for the irrevocable election not to participate in the Virginia Local Disability Program and named County Administrator Jim Halasz and ED-4 Supervisor Doug Bowman to serve on the Lake Country Development Corporation’s Board of Directors.

Published SoVaNow.com / October 24, 2013
http://www.sovanow.com/index.php?%2Fnews%2Farticle%2Ftourism_efforts_gaining_steam_with_state_parks_rivers_leading_the_way%2F

Institute assists VIR to clone famed oak tree

National Speed Sport News

Virginia International Raceway is moving forward with plans to improve its facilities, including repaving the 3.27 mile historic road course and widening it in several places, as well as paving in the north paddock this off-season.

In addition, the raceway will further memorialize its iconic oak tree, which fell this summer after serving as a prominent feature and welcome shade provider to the track’s south end for more than 200 years.

Honoring the fallen oak tree, VIR is working with the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research to actually clone the tree. The IALR is located in Danville and focuses on using research, education and conferencing to create economic development. Once its work is complete, the cloned saplings will be offered to VIR fans so they can replant them in their own communities and celebrate the iconic old oak tree for years to come. VIR will announce more on timing and purchase opportunities once details are confirmed.

“To be able to honor the grand old oak tree in such a historic and innovative way is really special for us,” said Connie Nyholm, owner and CEO of VIR. “We’re so grateful to the IALR for helping us with this and we’re excited to be able to share the cloned tree with VIR fans. Nothing will replace the old tree, but this will serve as a great tribute to it.”

The announcements come at the fourth day of racing at VIR, leading up to today’s appropriately named Oak Tree Grand Prix featuring the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patron. Fans who bought advanced tickets to the race will receive a limited edition key chain featuring a token made from the original oak tree. Additional memorabilia made from the tree’s wood is planned and will be announced in the weeks and months to follow. As a final nod to the original, VIR will plant a new oak tree near the spot of the fallen one.

The VIR track improvements this off-season will include: · Repaving the track’s full course, the first time the 3.27 miles have been repaved since 1999 in preparation for VIR’s 2000 reopening · Widening the track by six feet at several locations to allow easier passing (map available with specific locations) · Moving of the start and finish line to just after pit row, allowing better viewing for spectators as well as positioning the finish on a wider portion of the track · Paving of the north paddock, including both previously paved and unpaved portions to ensure an even and smooth surface.

 

http://www.newsadvance.com/work_it_sova/news/article_2d5c78a8-3dc4-11e3-bd9e-0019bb30f31a.html