Category: News

  • 2/16/17 Center of Manufacturing Excellence Welcomes Second Cohort of Students

    Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission

    Developing a Diverse Economy in Southern and Southwest Virginia

    SoVA Center of Manufacturing Excellence Welcomes Second Cohort of Students

    Recent Graduates Have Found Career Success As a Result of the Program

    Richmond, VA – The SoVA Center of Manufacturing Excellence recently welcomed its second group of 8 students into the Industrial Maintenance/Mechatronics program. The hands on training at Southern Virginia Higher Education Center (SVHEC) prepares students for a career in many industries including mechanical, electrical, computer software/control engineering (PLCs) to design and manufacture products. Students will come away from the training ready to earn valuable industry credentials such as Siemens Level 1 Certification. Students can then go on to earn Siemens level 2 certification and SVHEC is working with Siemens to create the only North American location for Siemens level 3 training and certification.

    The training takes place over 26 weeks and students who complete the training are certified as “smart operators” which will allow them to work in any industry with any equipment. In fact, recent graduates have found careers as machine operators, technicians and apprentice electricians.

    Dr. Betty Adams, Executive Director of the Southern Virginia Higher Ed Center said, “Thanks to the TRRC’s investment in SoVA CME, the SVHEC is positioned to offer Southside workers the training necessary to succeed in automated smart factory environments. The 2016 State of the Commonwealth Report predicts that almost 74% of Virginia’s Production Occupations – which includes Southern Virginia’s largest labor market sector, Manufacturing – may be at risk to automation. The most vulnerable jobs involve repetitive, routine tasks that require little reasoning, judgment or creative abilities. These jobs are being replaced by equipment designed to function as complex systems, now often referred to as mechatronic systems. Mechatronics Levels 1-3 Certifications prepare workers to (1) operate, (2) maintain, and (3) design and build the complex robotic systems that are quickly becoming the foundation of all manufacturing.”

    Alicia White, a current student in the program added, “I chose this program because it was the only one in the region that offered Siemens certification. I also like that the training is hands on.”

    The Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission was instrumental to the creation of the Southern Virginia Center for Manufacturing Excellence. A 2012 report ordered by the Tobacco Commission along with the Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing pointed toward the need for additional industry certified workers due to an expected increase in manufacturing sector jobs in Southern Virginia. In 2014 the Tobacco Commission awarded SVHEC a $2 million education grant to set up and operate the Southern Virginia Center for Manufacturing Excellence. Since that time, the Tobacco Commission has supported the Center with an additional $2 million grant in 2015.

    Delegate James Edmunds, Tobacco Commission member said, “In order for Southern Virginia to compete globally, we have got to train our workforce for the future. This Industrial Maintenance/Mechatronics program is a primary driver is making this a reality. I am proud to have been a part of making this dream a reality through my support on the Tobacco Commission.”

    The Tobacco Commission is proud to support this project designed to address the regional skills gap present in Southern Virginia. In order to develop a diverse economy in the region and attract new businesses it is vital that a well trained workforce exist able to fill jobs in the manufacturing and industrial maintenance sector as they become available. This program will help fill those jobs and ensure that Southern Virginia is ready to seize opportunities as they arise.

     

    Contact: Jordan Butler
    Telephone: 804-786-7692
    Cell: 757-692-0878
    Email: jordan.butler@tic.virginia.gov
    Website: www.tic.virginia.gov

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    2/16/17

  • 2/9/17 Signaltape Nears Commercialization

     

     

    Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission

    Developing a Diverse Economy in Southern and Southwest Virginia

    Signaltape® Nears Commercialization

    Excavation Alert Systems, LLC Hopes to Bring Product to Market in April

    Richmond, VA – Excavation Alert Systems, LLC is hoping to bring their innovative buried utility protection system product, Signaltape, to market as early as April of this year. Signaltape is a buried utility protection system designed to alert equipment operators and construction site workers to the presence of buried utilities such as natural gas lines or fiber. Signaltape is designed to pull to the surface to alert equipment operators that utility lines are below. A second version of the product, aptly called SmoketapeTM, emits APWA color coded smoke to ensure that operators can quickly react before striking vital infrastructure. Smoketape is expected to be commercially available by the fourth quarter this year.

    Mike Parilac, Owner of Planet Underground said, “Signaltape breathes new life into a standard industry product while tremendously enhancing excavator safety.”

    Excavation Alert Systems, LLC currently employs three workers at their facility in Arvonia, VA and that number is expected to expand to five workers in the near future as production ramps up. The Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission supported this project with a $1,500,000 Research and Development grant in 2013 and recently approved the purchase of a high-volume lamination system that will allow production to take place in Buckingham County at the Arvonia location. The Tobacco Commission worked with the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center on this project.

    David Matlock, Executive Director of the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center added, “We are always excited to work on projects that will bring jobs and investment to our region and we look forward to working with the Tobacco Commission as we seek to attract new companies to Southern and Southwest Virginia.”

    The Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission is committed to bringing jobs and investment to Southern and Southwest Virginia. Projects like Signaltape and Smoketape that offer a compelling product designed and manufactured in our region are a perfect example of our commitment to developing a diverse economy in the areas we serve.

    Chairman of the Tobacco Commission’s Southside Economic Development Committee, Delegate Thomas C. Wright added, “EAS and Signaltape show that new and innovative products can be developed successfully and manufactured right here in our region. I am pleased that the Tobacco Commission supported this project and look forward to their continued success.”

     

    Contact: Jordan Butler
    Telephone: 804-786-7692
    Cell: 757-692-0878
    Email: jordan.butler@tic.virginia.gov
    Website: www.tic.virginia.gov

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    2/9/17

     

  • 2/1/17 Commission Meeting

     

    Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission

    Developing a Diverse Economy in Southern and Southwest Virginia

     

    TOBACCO REGION REVITALIZATION COMMISSION MEETS IN RICHMOND

    Commission Approves Liberty University Purchase of The Center for Advanced Engineering and Research in Bedford

    Richmond, VA – The Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission met to discuss a proposal from Liberty University and The Center for Advanced Engineering and Research (CAER) in Bedford County for Liberty to purchase the building for $4.3 million. Liberty plans to locate its school of Engineering and Computational Sciences adjacent to CAER. Construction will begin as soon as possible to expand the site to meet the needs of the school.

    The agreement will not see Liberty take over the entire facility but the university will take over the contract for the facility and become an anchor tenant. The Tobacco Commission will remain owners of some grant related property within the facility while Liberty will own the building itself. It is expected that this arrangement will attract new business to the New London Business and Technology Center within which CAER is located.

    Tobacco Commission member, Delegate Kathy Byron said, “Liberty University and the CAER have been among the Tobacco Commission’s most reliable partners. The joining of these two forces, focused on advanced engineering and emerging technologies, will promote the vision of the Commission to establish a research industry environment that has tremendous potential to attract new businesses and investment to our area.”

    The Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission funded much of the initial construction of the CAER and has continued to support it over the years with funds for updated equipment and new capabilities. The Commission views the purchase of the facility by Liberty University as an opportunity to further the goal of creating a research university environment that will attract businesses and bring jobs to the region as we strive to develop a diverse economy in Southern and Southwest Virginia.

    Liberty University Vice President of Special Projects, Jonathan Whitt said, “Liberty University is excited to build upon the initial investment in the CAER by the Tobacco Commission and others to develop a campus focused on advanced energy research. As home to our school of Engineering and Computational Sciences, we will have the opportunity to build much needed bridges between academia and the private sector. We view the energy sector as the new “enernet”, a fast growing sector that promises exciting economic development and job creation.”

    Bob Bailey, Executive Director of the CAER added, “The CAER’s vision has always been the development and growth of a strong research university environment in the region. This exciting new collaborative project with Liberty University’s School of Engineering and Bedford County is a significant milestone in achieving this vision”

     

    Contact: Jordan Butler
    Telephone: 804-786-7692
    Cell: 757-692-0878
    Email: jordan.butler@tic.virginia.gov
    Website: www.tic.virginia.gov

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    2/1/17

  • 1/20/17 SoVA Vineyard Development and Expansion Project

    Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission

    Developing a Diverse Economy in Southern and Southwest Virginia

     

    SoVA Vineyard Development and Expansion Project Will Support Virginia’s Wine Industry

    Applications Currently Being Accepted

    Richmond, VA – Virginia’s wine industry is booming, but rapid growth has brought on its share of problems. The number of wineries in Virginia has increased dramatically over the past decade yet vineyard expansion has not kept up with the pace. This has left winemakers without enough Virginia grown grapes to ensure that all wineries can meet the 75% requirement to have their wines labeled as Virginia grown.

    Seeing the opportunity to support a vibrant and growing industry, the Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission awarded an $811,526 AgriBusiness grant to Pittsylvania County which will work in partnership with Virginia Cooperative Extension and the Virginia Vineyards Association to address the issue. This will be achieved primarily by entering into cost-sharing agreements with those interested in developing a vineyard to offset capital costs associated with the planting of new vineyard acreage. The program will reimburse applicants for up to 33% of qualifying expenditures. Applications for new vineyard development are being accepted through February 15th, 2017 and landowners willing to develop new acres of vineyard are encouraged to apply.

    Ashley Nauta, District Extension Agent and Vineyards Project Coordinator for Virginia Cooperative Extension said, “This program offers an exciting opportunity for landowners in the Southside Region of the Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission, and these cost share funds are vitally important as our producers consider the capital investments associated with vineyard establishment. Virginia Cooperative Extension is fortunate to play a role in implementation of this program, in partnership with Pittsylvania County, Virginia Vineyards Association, Virginia Tech and the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research, and we look forward to the positive impacts it will have on Virginia’s Wine Industry.”

    The overall success and potential for continued growth of the Virginia wine industry present a unique opportunity for long term job growth and investment in Southern and Southwest Virginia. This aligns perfectly with the Tobacco Commission’s long term goal of developing a diverse economy in the regions it serves.

    Tobacco Commission Agri-Business Committee Member, Delegate Thomas C. Wright, Jr. added, “I am very pleased that the AgriBusiness Committee awarded and the Tobacco Commission approved the $811,526.00 grant, that will assist our Virginia vineyards increase production of grapes for an already booming wine industry in Virginia.”

    For more information about the cost-share program, including how to apply, please contact Ashley Nauta, Vineyards Project Coordinator at 434-432-7770 or by email at aswolfe@vt.edu.

     

    Contact: Jordan Butler
    Telephone: 804-786-7692
    Cell: 757-692-0878
    Email: jordan.butler@tic.virginia.gov
    Website: www.tic.virginia.gov

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    1/20/17

  • 1/12/17 Agricultural Efficiency Initiative Helps Family Farms Stay in Business

    Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission

    Developing a Diverse Economy in Southern and Southwest Virginia

     

    Agricultural Energy Efficiency Initiative Helps Family Farms Stay In Business

    31 Farms Implement Cost Saving Energy Efficiency Upgrades

    Richmond, VA – Family owned farms are always looking for ways to increase profitability and Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) is happy to help. In 2010 VCE launched a pilot known as the On-Farm Energy Efficiency Project, supported by a $146,751 AgriBusiness grant from the Virginia Tobacco Commission, to evaluate the potential for cost savings related to energy use on Virginia farms. Energy costs for Virginia farms have consistently risen over the years and reducing those costs could significantly help farms remain profitable. When the pilot project concluded in 2012 the results were clear: Over $1 million in potential energy savings was identified at 58 farms should they complete an energy audit and install the recommended upgrades.

    Following the successful pilot the Agricultural Energy Efficiency Initiative was launched in 2014 with the help of a $373,500 AgriBusiness grant from the Virginia Tobacco Commission to make these savings a reality. The project pays for an energy audit of their facilities and equipment and then provides them with technology guidance, best practices and access to experts as well as funding opportunities to help them make the recommended upgrades.

    Martha Walker, Virginia Cooperative Extension Community Viability Extension Specialist said, “Our Southside and Southwest Virginia Cooperative Extension team works directly with the farmers enrolled in this energy efficiency program to connect each farm to the right energy auditor, complete the audit process, and provide the cost share for energy retrofits. We know that when farms expend hard-earned dollars on inefficient equipment and processes, farm profitability is in jeopardy. To support this effort, Extension has built strong partnerships with all the state and federal agencies as well as Electric Cooperatives and funders that invested in farm energy.”

    Over the course of the project 64 farms have completed an energy audit and 31 of those have gone on to implement recommended cost saving energy retrofits with the help of $214,000 in Tobacco Commission grant funds. This project aligns perfectly with the Tobacco Commission’s goal of developing a diverse economy in Southern and Southwest Virginia by supporting local agriculture and keeping jobs in the region.

    Tobacco Commission Chairman, Delegate Terry Kilgore added, “This project is a good example of the positive impact the Tobacco Commission is having on our region. Helping farms remain profitable and keeping jobs in our area are important to the long term success of Southern and Southwest Virginia.”

     

    Contact: Jordan Butler
    Telephone: 804-786-7692
    Cell: 757-692-0878
    Email: jordan.butler@tic.virginia.gov
    Website: www.tic.virginia.gov

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    1/12/2017

  • 1/10/17 Commission Meeting

    Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission

    Developing a Diverse Economy in Southern and Southwest Virginia

    TOBACCO REGION REVITALIZATION COMMISSION MEETS IN RICHMOND

    Commission Approves 27 Funding Requests for Projects in Southwest and Southside Virginia

    Richmond, VA – The Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission met over two days (January 9-10) to give final approval for 27 funding requests as well as a number of extensions for previously awarded projects. The 27 funding requests total more than $11.9 million dollars and will support projects in areas such as workforce training, agribusiness and general economic development. The total funds to be disbursed break down as follows: $9.7 million for scholarships and workforce training, $705,537 for economic development as well as $1,505,963 for agribusiness related projects. The individual requests approved ranged in size from $8,300 to $500,000. In the coming weeks information highlighting specific projects will be made available.

    Tobacco Commission member, Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Basil I. Gooden said, “The great work of the Commission is critical to building, expanding and diversifying the new Virginia economy. As a vocal advocate of agriculture’s role in Virginia’s economic development, I am especially pleased with the quality of projects funded through the Agribusiness Committee. They will have a real impact on the people and communities in rural Virginia.”

    The Commission also made a slight change to the Tobacco Region Opportunity Fund (TROF) guidelines which will allow the Executive Director to approve funding requests, in consultation with the TROF Committee, for projects that will create a significant number of jobs but do not meet the minimum capital investment threshold. This will ensure that the Commission is able to support projects that bring jobs to Southern and Southwest Virginia but may not include a large amount of physical expansion.

    Tobacco Commission Chairman, Delegate Terry Kilgore added, “I am pleased that the Commission chose to fund these worthwhile projects. These projects will help us continue toward our goal of developing a diverse economy in Southern and Southwest Virginia.”

    The funding requests approved over the two day meeting will continue to fulfill the mission of the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission to create jobs and opportunity in the former tobacco regions of Virginia.

    Contact: Jordan Butler
    Telephone: 804-786-7692
    Cell: 757-692-0878
    Email: jordan.butler@tic.virginia.gov
    Website: www.tic.virginia.gov

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    1/10/17

  • On this day in 1854

    This ray is separated from the other rays of the sun by means of finely adjusted instruments placed upon the roof of the huge building, three-quarters of which is used for reservoirs in which the ninth ray is stored. This product is then treated electrically, or rather certain proportions of refined electric vibrations are incorporated with it, and the result is then pumped to the five principal air centers of the planet where, as it is released, contact with the ether of space transforms it into atmosphere.

    There is always sufficient reserve of the ninth ray stored in the great building to maintain the present Martian atmosphere for a thousand years, and the only fear, as my new friend told me, was that some accident might befall the pumping apparatus.

    He led me to an inner chamber where I beheld a battery of twenty radium pumps any one of which was equal to the task of furnishing all Mars with the atmosphere compound. For eight hundred years, he told me, he had watched these pumps which are used alternately a day each at a stretch, or a little over twenty-four and one-half Earth hours. He has one assistant who divides the watch with him. Half a Martian year, about three hundred and forty-four of our days, each of these men spend alone in this huge, isolated plant.

  • Test latest newsy post

    ‘I’d rather not,’ the Cat remarked.

    ‘Don’t be impertinent,’ said the King, ‘and don’t look at me like that!’ He got behind Alice as he spoke.

    ‘A cat may look at a king,’ said Alice. ‘I’ve read that in some book, but I don’t remember where.’

    ‘Well, it must be removed,’ said the King very decidedly, and he called the Queen, who was passing at the moment, ‘My dear! I wish you would have this cat removed!’

    The Queen had only one way of settling all difficulties, great or small. ‘Off with his head!’ she said, without even looking round.

    ‘I’ll fetch the executioner myself,’ said the King eagerly, and he hurried off.

    Alice thought she might as well go back, and see how the game was going on, as she heard the Queen’s voice in the distance, screaming with passion. She had already heard her sentence three of the players to be executed for having missed their turns, and she did not like the look of things at all, as the game was in such confusion that she never knew whether it was her turn or not. So she went in search of her hedgehog.

  • This is a test news post

    Now, during the past night and forenoon, the Pequod had gradually drifted into a sea, which, by its occasional patches of yellow brit, gave unusual tokens of the vicinity of Right Whales, a species of the Leviathan that but few supposed to be at this particular time lurking anywhere near. And though all hands commonly disdained the capture of those inferior creatures; and though the Pequod was not commissioned to cruise for them at all, and though she had passed numbers of them near the Crozetts without lowering a boat; yet now that a Sperm Whale had been brought alongside and beheaded, to the surprise of all, the announcement was made that a Right Whale should be captured that day, if opportunity offered.

    Nor was this long wanting. Tall spouts were seen to leeward; and two boats, Stubb’s and Flask’s, were detached in pursuit. Pulling further and further away, they at last became almost invisible to the men at the mast-head. But suddenly in the distance, they saw a great heap of tumultuous white water, and soon after news came from aloft that one or both the boats must be fast. An interval passed and the boats were in plain sight, in the act of being dragged right towards the ship by the towing whale. So close did the monster come to the hull, that at first it seemed as if he meant it malice; but suddenly going down in a maelstrom, within three rods of the planks, he wholly disappeared from view, as if diving under the keel. “Cut, cut!” was the cry from the ship to the boats, which, for one instant, seemed on the point of being brought with a deadly dash against the vessel’s side. But having plenty of line yet in the tubs, and the whale not sounding very rapidly, they paid out abundance of rope, and at the same time pulled with all their might so as to get ahead of the ship. For a few minutes the struggle was intensely critical; for while they still slacked out the tightened line in one direction, and still plied their oars in another, the contending strain threatened to take them under. But it was only a few feet advance they sought to gain. And they stuck to it till they did gain it; when instantly, a swift tremor was felt running like lightning along the keel, as the strained line, scraping beneath the ship, suddenly rose to view under her bows, snapping and quivering; and so flinging off its drippings, that the drops fell like bits of broken glass on the water, while the whale beyond also rose to sight, and once more the boats were free to fly. But the fagged whale abated his speed, and blindly altering his course, went round the stern of the ship towing the two boats after him, so that they performed a complete circuit.

    Meantime, they hauled more and more upon their lines, till close flanking him on both sides, Stubb answered Flask with lance for lance; and thus round and round the Pequod the battle went, while the multitudes of sharks that had before swum round the Sperm Whale’s body, rushed to the fresh blood that was spilled, thirstily drinking at every new gash, as the eager Israelites did at the new bursting fountains that poured from the smitten rock.