12 The Hampton Roads Messenger


Volume 7 Number 6


February 2013 Around Hampton Roads Hollywood in Hampton Roads Nauticus to Host Roots


Valentine’s Ball Hampton Roads residents will show their love for that special someone or their favorite charity by attending the Hollywood in Hampton Roads Valentine's Ball. Attendees will feel like celebrities as they dine and dance after being photographed by paparazzi on the red carpet and are showered with gifts and prizes. The event will include a dinner buffet with crab cakes and feature live music by the band Ajai’s Ensemble. The charity with the most guests in attendance will receive a donation. Tables of 10 can be reserved for corporations, individual supporters and organizations. This event is for couples and singles who can bring their sweethearts or meet their sweethearts at the ball. The festivities will take place at the Chesapeake Conference Center on Thursday, February 14, 2013 from 7 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. More information is available at Hollywood757.eventbrite.com or by calling 757-575-1863.


Hampton’s IDA Changes Name


to Reflect Focus The city of Hampton’s Industrial Development Authority is no more. Its seven members, appointed to oversee development and job creation, continue to serve the city under a new name that more accurately reflects the board’s mission: Economic Development Authority.


“The name change in long overdue,” said Chairman Jay Joseph. “For a generation or more, we have been engaged in broad economic development initiatives that go well beyond our industrial base.”


The name change better reflects the mission of the authority, an independent body appointed by City Council to attract businesses and facilitate their growth and expansion. The board has the authority to buy and improve land, borrow money, and sell, donate or lease land and facilities. It also administers loan and grant programs and business incubator programs.


The Hampton authority has had a hand in industrial development, including developing Copeland Industrial Park. Most recent efforts have focused on other types of business.


Currently, the Economic Development Authority owns much of the remaining developable land in the Magruder Corridor, primarily in Hampton Roads Center North campus and Langley Research & Development Park. The authority offers a low-cost lease for the Boo Williams Sportsplex, which draws thousands of athletes to Hampton each year; donated land for the Hampton University Proton Therapy Institute, a world-class cancer therapy facility; and donated land for the new laboratory facility for the National Institute of Aerospace. That building also houses the Peninsula Technology Incubator, which the EDA funds.


Mike Yaskowsky, interim director of the city’s economic development department, also noted that the new name is more modern and aligned with the board’s efforts. “It offers a better representation of the potential opportunities in Hampton, whether it’s developing our high- tech office parks in the Magruder Corridor, spurring job growth, supporting our economic assets, collaborating with the private sector or encouraging redevelopment projects.”


Langley Federal Credit Union Helps


Local Students Pay for College NEWPORT NEWS, VA - Langley Federal Credit Union has introduced a NEW student loan program that helps students fill the funding gaps that federal aid can leave behind. Unlike other loan products, LFCU's Student Choice private loan solution offers significantly lower rates, zero origination fees and flexible repayment terms.


"As a not-for-profit credit union serving Hampton Roads, we have the unique ability to design products that are truly in best interest of the student and their family," said LFCU Sr. VP of Lending Barbara Elvington.


"In addition to student loans, the credit union offers financial management resources for young adults and a full-range of products and services to help develop and maintain good financial habits."


Langley Federal Credit Union serves over 169,000 members and has $1.7 billion in assets, ranking the financial institution as one of the top 100 largest credit unions in the nation. To find out more about becoming a member or applying for a LFCU Student Choice loan, visit www.langleyfcu.org or call 757-827-EASY.


Collaborator My Haley Norfolk, VA - In celebration of Black History Month, author My Haley, wife of Roots author Alex Haley, will read from, discuss and sign her new book, The Treason of Mary Louvestre from 10 a.m. - noon on Saturday, February 9, in the Nauticus Theater.


Haley herself wrote many parts of the Civil War novel Roots: The Saga of an American Family, which was published in 1976 and made into a television mini-series in 1977. The Treason of Mary Louvestre is a historical novel inspired by the little known but true story of a seamstress slave in Norfolk, Virginia whose courageous actions during the Civil War led to a northern victory in the important naval battle at Hampton Roads, Virginia in 1862.


This event is free and open to the public, but reservations are required. Please RSVP at rsvptonauticus@gmail.com.


Portsmouth to Provide Economic Gardening Services for Select


Who Should Apply? To be eligible for the program, participants must:


• Be a for-profit, privately held company that has been headquartered in Portsmouth for at least the past two years.


• Generate annual revenue or working capital of between $1 and $50 million. • Employ between 10 and 99 full-time employees. • Demonstrate growth in employment and/or revenue during two for the past five years. • Provide product or services beyond the local area to regional, national or global market.


Companies can be considered for the Program by submitting an application form. Prior to submitting an application, interested businesses should contact the Department of Economic Development at (757) 393-8804.


Suffolk Economic Director Chosen for


National "40 under 40" Award Kevin Hughes, the Director of the Suffolk Economic Development Department, has been selected as a National winner in the economic development profession’s “40 Under 40” awards, the first-ever awards program recognizing young talent across the nation in the economic development profession.


A five-member selection committee chose the winners from a pool of more than 150 candidates based on their exceptional contributions to the economic development industry. The award’s program was managed by Development Counselors International (DCI), a New York-based firm that specializes in economic development marketing.


The pool of winners consists of 14 women and 26 men; the youngest is 26 years old and the oldest is 39 years old.


Large communities and the South dominated with 27 award recipients hailing from communities of 200,000 residents or more and 22 winners from Tennessee, Louisiana, Mississippi and South Carolina and other southern states. Hughes was the only award recipient in the State of Virginia.


Suffolk City Manager Selena Cuffee-Glenn says, “Kevin is dedicated to the development of the Suffolk business scene. He has great vision and work ethic to ensure Suffolk continues to set the pace in the Hampton Roads area. We are proud of his achievement and that he is a member of our team.”


Inaugural Hall of Fame Gala 30 Aniversary th


Saturday, February 16, 2013 | 7-10 p.m. | Half Moone Cruise and Celebration Center On the Downtown Norfolk Waterfront Honoring


Brenda H. Andrews * Barbara Ciara * Dr. Grady James Guest Host


National Correspondent Byron Pitts


CBS News Chief


Marvin L. Lake * Delceno C. Miles * James M. Wright, Sr. $50 donation


Black-tie Optional * Parking at Town Point Garage | Proceeds support scholarships and community service programs. For more information or to purchase tickets, call (757) 664-1026.


Kevin Hughes has been with the Suffolk Economic Development Department since 2005, and was named the Director of the Department in February 2010. Since joining the Suffolk team, Kevin has managed more than 120 new and expanding business projects totaling more than $403 million in capital investment and more than 3,250 new jobs. Hughes’ responsibilities also entail the supervision of the Division of Tourism, the Suffolk Executive Airport as well as serving as the Deputy Secretary Treasurer for the Suffolk Economic Development Authority


DCI’s “40 Under 40” award was designed to discover the economic development profession’s rising stars across the nation.


“The people chosen by the selection committee represent a bright future for the economic development world,” said Andy Levine, president of DCI. “They are a new breed of results- driven, place makers. We’re very pleased to see Kevin among the winners.”


DCI officially announced the national winners at an awards reception during the International Economic Development Council Leadership Summit in Orlando and will feature an in-depth profile of each on its website during 2013.


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Church programs Churches@hamptonroadsmessenger.com


Qualified Companies Funding for five select qualified Portsmouth small businesses has been approved by the Economic Development Authority of the City of Portsmouth (EDA) to participate in the Hampton Roads' Economic Gardening Network Technical Assistance Program.


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