12 The Hampton Roads Messenger
Volume 9 Number 1 Around Hampton Roads
Chesapeake Awarded Grant for the CPS Science/Planetarium
Center Project The Trustees of the Beazley Foundation have approved a challenge grant of $125,000 to the Chesapeake Public Schools Educational Foundation for technological improvements to the Chesapeake Planetarium. The Foundation is required to raise $250,000 in matching contributions, and once the total of $375,000 is reached, the funds will be used to purchase a new digital star projector system to replace the 1960s equipment presently in the planetarium. The equipment will be utilized in the present planetarium while a new Science Center is designed, funded, and constructed over the next several years then moved to the new location.
Continental Announces Approximately $150 Million Investment, Creates Roughly
500 Jobs in Newport News Newport News, Virginia -- Continental, a leading international automotive supplier, announced approximately a $150 million investment in its Newport News manufacturing facility over a multi-year period. By adding new production lines, Continental is bringing approximately 500 new jobs to the state, nearly doubling the facility’s current workforce. The investment demonstrates Continental’s commitment to economic development in the region and serves as an important milestone in Continental’s growth strategy worldwide.
The announcement was made at a news conference at the Newport News manufacturing facility. Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe and Dr. McKinley L. Price, Mayor, City of Newport News, were joined by Jeff Klei, President, Continental North America, Kregg Wiggins, Senior Vice President, Powertrain, Continental North America and David Kilgore, Plant Manager, Newport News, in announcing the substantial investment.
“Soon approximately 1,000 Continental employees from the area will work in our more than 360,000-square-foot facility,” said Kilgore. “Our team is looking forward to expanding and developing our local workforce, which will be stronger than ever.” The plant has been located in Newport News, Virginia for 44 years.
Boo Williams Sportsplex Ranks Third for Top Basketball
Facilities in the Country Hampton, VA- Connect Sports magazine, a top publication for sports event organizers, suppliers, and promoters, has just named the Boo Williams Sportsplex in Hampton, Virginia as the third best amateur basketball facility in the country in its rankings of the “Six Best Basketball Venues.” The panel of judges included AAU Director of Basketball Stan Quash, Jam On It Basketball Academy CEO Matt Williams, and AAU Senior Sports Manager Kristy Sampson.
Opened in 2008, the Boo Williams Sportsplex is a 135,000-square-foot, $13.5-million sports facility specifically designed for amateur athletic competitions such as basketball, indoor field hockey, volleyball, and more. The two pavilions house eight-hardwood, 84’ x 50’ Sports Court® surfaces for tournament play. In addition, the sportsplex is also home to a 200-meter, six-lane indoor track. For further information on the Boo Williams Sportsplex, visit
www.boowilliamssportsplex.com.
Train for a career in Welding. Graduate in LESS than a year.
Norfolk First in Commonwealth
to Receive V3 Gold Certification NORFOLK,Va. – The City of Norfolk received the Virginia Values Veterans (V3) Gold Certification during a ceremony held in Richmond last month. Norfolk is the only municipality and the only Enterprise Organization (greater than 1,000 employees) in the Commonwealth to receive this certification.
“This is a tremendous honor for the City of Norfolk,” said City Manager Marcus D. Jones. “We appreciate the support from the Virginia Values Veterans organization to attract and retain military veterans. My administration is committed to continuing our efforts and working with our veterans as they seek new career opportunities with the City of Norfolk.” Since Norfolk joined the V3 in July 2012, the City has hired 170 veterans with a 96% retention rate.
Norfolk’s partner agency, Goodwill Industries of Central Virginia and Hampton Roads has provided an employment specialist to work directly with veterans. Available weekly in the Human Resources Department at City Hall, the employment specialist assists transitioning veterans seeking employment with the City of Norfolk or current veteran employees seeking career advancement.
Sculpture Honoring Portsmouth Firefighters and First
Responders to Be Unveiled Portsmouth, VA –A unique sculpture has recently arrived at the Children’s Museum of Virginia - a dazzling highly reflective turquoise, 6’ – 2” tall, (all aluminum work of art) Dalmatian puppy sculpture, affectionately named R. HERO. R. HERO will be unveiled to the public on Saturday, September 13th at 11:00 a.m. during Safety Day, which will pay tribute to the city’s local law enforcement and first responders.
Safety Day will be held in Middle Street Mall, outside the Children’s Museum of Virginia. It will be free and open to the public. The event will conclude at 1:00 p.m The project was borne out of the devastating emotions brought about by the impact of 9/11 and the subsequent onslaught of wildfires and terrorist acts. Artists Karen & Tony Barone created a series of sculptures to be installed at public sites to honor and recognize our valiant firefighters and first responders who save, rescue & protect humans and animals alike.
Through the creative expression of art, the R. HERO sculpture serves as a reminder of their indefatigable heroism. According to Artist Karen Barone, “the sculpture is fulfilling their mission of creating a “Dalmatian-Nation”. R. HERO: A Dog’s Tail TALE, a children’s book, published by Bunni and Rick Benaron, is being created and will be available at The Children’s Museum Shop upon release. The donation of the sculpture and children’s books was made possible by the philanthropic generosity of Bunni & Rick Benaron of Rancho Mirage, CAActivities in the mall will include visits from Andalo and Safety Pup, a fire engine, motorcycles, and giveaways by the fire department. Members of the police, fire and sheriff’s departments will be on hand to talk with visitors. The Sheriff’s department will offer their Ident- a-Print program and children will be able to dress up as a fireman or police officer and have their picture taken.
City of Suffolk Realizes Savings
Following Bond Sale The City of Suffolk competitively sold roughly $125 million of bonds recently in the public marketplace. The City’s recent credit rating upgrades, including the “AAA” from Standard & Poor’s, played a vital role in the favorable results of the bond sale.
The bond sales results were very positive and the quantifiable savings can be measured in literally millions of dollars. With the “AAA” rating representing the credit worthiness of the City of Suffolk’s government issued bond and the assurance that both the principal and interest on the bonds will be paid on time and in full, eight firms eagerly submitted a bid within seconds of the bonds hitting the market. Recognizing that the City of Suffolk has the highest quality of bonds with the least amount of risk, the winning bidder was Bank of America/Merrill Lynch.
The bonds were issued to finance various public improvement and public utility capital projects of tremendous benefit to our citizens, to refund certain general obligation bonds and other general obligation debt as well as utility revenue bonds that were previously issued by the City. The issuance included $47 million of new money and $78 million in refinancing. The 2014 Bonds were priced aggressively and can be attributed in part to the recent Credit Rating upgrades, including the City’s AAA rating from Standard & Poor’s.
Ask about our Certification Courses!
Job Placement Assistance • Military Tuition Assistance Financial Aid if Qualified • Day and Evening Classes }CALL 888-220-3163 TODAY
5301 E Princess Anne Road, Norfolk, VA 23502
SCHEV Certified. Accredited by the COE. 7-10 months as a full-time student. For Consumer Information and Notice of Non-Discrimination, visit
www.TidewaterTechTrades.edu.
In the General Government and Operations Center New Money area, the planned estimate assumed a 5% interest rate and the actual interest rate was 2.97%. This result will translate into annual payments that are $480,000 less per year than what was estimated. This rate was only slightly higher than one of our lowest rates ever, which was 2.92% in 2012 during the recession. This money will play a key part in the advancement of a new middle school in the northern part of the City, addressing City wide transportation needs, as well as the continued development and
September 2014
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16