 From Site Selection magazine, November 2002
U.S. LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
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Vermont
Molly Lambert, secretary of the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development, announced a new coordinated business assistance initiative. The program is designed to provide customized assistance to every business seeking help in dealing with difficult issues such as permitting, import/export matters, business expansion and work force training. The service includes a 24-hour, toll-free hotline for all Vermont-based businesses: 1-800-933-6249. The Vermont Council on Rural Development Telecommunications Committee unveiled a program aimed at bringing high-speed telecommunications service to all parts of rural Vermont. The program focuses on using market aggregation to bring broadband infrastructure and connectivity to rural counties.
Virginia
Gov. Mark Warner signed an executive order creating an advisory board to make recommendations on how to attract more biotechnology investment to Virginia. The Governor's Advisory Board for the Virginia Biotechnology Initiative will be comprised of state lawmakers, economic developers and private sector experts. The VEDP announced the launch of VALET (Virginia Leaders in Export Trade), a new program designed to assist Virginia companies with international exporting. The first of its kind in the U.S., the program will provide capital, expert guidance and tangible solutions for Virginia businesses committed to expanding into international markets. The state continued to fund development work on five major university research parks around Virginia: Fontaine Research Park and University of Virginia at North Fork Research Park in Charlottesville; Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center in Blacksburg; the Jefferson Center for Research and Technology in Newport News; and the Virginia Biotechnology Research Park in Richmond.
Washington
Gov. Gary Locke announced a $4.3 million investment to strengthen the state's economy by providing more advanced training for Washington workers and helping employers in the state find enough skilled workers to fill job openings. Community colleges, technical schools and local Workforce Development Councils will use the money to identify specific skill shortages and recommend solutions. The Legislature passed a statewide infrastructure package with wide bipartisan support. It includes $7.7 billion in highway projects, ferry vessels, transit and rail services, freight mobility projects and other transportation improvements across the state. The statewide transportation package will be presented to voters on the November ballot.
West Virginia
Gov. Bob Wise announced the creation of Energy Village -- a private research and business park that houses a number of science and technology companies in Morgantown. Located next to the U.S. Department of Energy's National Energy Technology Laboratory, the Energy Village exists to foster research and development of alternative energy sources and promote the commercial application of this research. Gov. Wise announced the creation of Advantage Alley -- a five-county partnership promoting economic development along the Interstate 64 corridor. The counties participating are Cabell, Kanawha, Mason, Putnam and Wayne.
Wisconsin
Forward Wisconsin, the state's public-private business marketing group, last fall debuted a new web site -- PlasticsWI.com -- to assist Wisconsin plastics firms and attract new companies to the state. Gov. Scott McCallum presented his Build Wisconsin strategic plan for economic development. The plan aims to improve Wisconsin's business climate, maximize the state's human resources and improve the state's tax climate. Gov. McCallum signed a bill authorizing funding to expand Interstate 94 in Southeast Wisconsin to accommodate expected traffic growth over the next 25 years.
Wyoming
Gov. Jim Geringer signed House Bill 44, which repeals the 2003 sunset date of the Wyoming Business Council and re-establishes it for July 1, 2008. The WBC works with communities across the state to develop infrastructure, help existing businesses expand and attract new business. Gov. Geringer announced his plan to add a Technology Incubator at the University of Wyoming campus to develop spin-off commercial applications of scientific research.
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