March 2016 Around Hampton Roads


Two Expansions Create 80 New Jobs and $2.3M in Capital


Investments in VA Beach The Virginia Beach Development Authority awarded grants to two companies recently based on the capital investments and number of full-time jobs created. Klett Consulting Group Inc. will add 65 jobs and lease 2,500 square feet at a new location this spring. Fortis Solutions Group will add 15 new jobs in the city and invest $2.35 million in capital improvements at its location on Hawkeye Court.


“We have two industry-leading companies that are growing and creating jobs in Virginia Beach,” said Warren D. Harris, director of Virginia Beach Economic Development. “Klett Consulting Group is a graduate of the Virginia Beach Economic Gardening Program and is a perfect example of the success of the program to grow local entrepreneurial businesses. And Fortis Solutions Group continues its path to success through strategic acquisition, entering new markets and investing in technology.”


Klett Consulting Group Inc. will add 65 jobs and a third location in Virginia Beach


Klett Consulting Group Inc., a Virginia Beach-based, service-disabled, veteran- owned small business that specializes in government-related technology, systems engineering and professional consulting services, plans to add 65 full-time employees. The company, founded in 2002, currently employs 20 individuals. This growth represents a significant increase through its Virginia Beach, Coastal Virginia and Northern Virginia markets and contracts with the Department of Defense.


Its corporate headquarters are at 2488 North Landing Road, and additional offices are at 2425 George Mason Drive. Klett Consulting Group Inc. will also lease an additional 2,500 square feet of office space this spring to accommodate the 15 new management support employees who will work in Virginia Beach. The expansion doubles the amount of leased spaced within Virginia Beach, and the company will invest $115,000 in improvements at the new location. The remaining 50 employees will work in other locations.


“Our company is very fortunate to be headquartered in Virginia Beach, where we can draw from a great talent pool to supply our clients with the best and the brightest workforce on the East Coast,” said Mark Klett, director of business development for Klett Consulting Group Inc. “We appreciate the City of Virginia Beach’s programs that are proactive and supportive of small businesses.”


Upcoming Events


Hampton Branch NAACP Event Dates:


1st Monday of each month 7:00 PM excluding holidays Event Location: Bethel AME Church 94 Lincoln Street Hampton, VA 23663 Contact Info: 757-827-1768


Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS) Weight Management Support Event Dates:


Mondays 5:30 PM (except holidays) Event location:


Norview Community Center 6380 Sewells Point Road, Norfolk, VA


Contact Info: 289-7088


Computer & Resume Tutoring (Adults & Teens) Event Dates:


Tues. 11AM-2 PM & Thurs. 2PM-4PM Event Location:


Barron F. Black Branch Library 6700 East Tanners Creek Drive Norfolk, VA 23513 Contact info: (757) 441-5806


Chesapeake Branch NAACP Monthly Meeting Event Dates:


First Tuesday of the Month 7pm-8pm Event location:


Providence United Church of Christ 2200 Vicker Avenue Chesapeake, VA Contact info: (757)485-8916


Youth and Community Action Team (YCAT)


Event Date:


First Thursday of each month 3 pm - 4:30 pm (September - June) Event location:


Meyera Oberndorf Central Library 4100 Virginia Beach Boulevard Virginia Beach, Virginia Contact info: 757-385-0803


Coupon Swap Event Dates:


Thursdays 10AM - 7 PM Event location:


Little Creek Branch Library


7853 Tarpon Place | Norfolk 23518 Contact info: (757) 441-1751


Job Readiness Classes Event Dates:


Every Thursday 9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Event location:


Norfolk Workforce Development 201 East Little Creek Road Norfolk, VA 23505 Contact info: (757) 664-6000


Learning on Laptops: Homework Help (ages 12-18) Event Dates:


First Thursday of each month 6-8 p.m. excluding holidays Event location: Grissom Library 366 Deshazor Drive Newport News, VA 23608 Contact info: 757-369-3190


National Council of Negro Women Norfolk Section Meeting Event Dates:


2nd Saturday of the month 11am - 12:30pm Event location: StanHope House


2715 Stanhope Avenue Norfolk, Virginia 23505 Contact info:


J. House (757) 409-3342 ncnwnorva@gmail.com


Think Tank Event Dates:


Mon-Thursday 2:30 - 4 p.m. Event location:


Slover Library - 5th Floor 235 E. Plume Street Norfolk, VA 23710 Contact info: 757-727-1610


Health Fair Event Dates: March 12, 2016 9 A.M.- 1 P.M. Event location:


SCBC Fellowship Hall 2940 Corprew Avenue Norfolk, VA 23504 Contact info: (757) 572-4510


A night of Jazz & Poetry Event Dates:


March 30, 2016 | 6 P.M. Event location: Bethel A.M.E Church 94 W Lincoln St. Hampton, VA 23669 Contact Info: (757) 723-4065


www.hamptonroadsmessenger.com


The Hampton Roads Messenger 13


The average annual salaries of the Virginia Beach employees are $65,000. The Virginia Beach Economic Development Authority has approved an Economic Development Investment Program grant of $35,000 based on the number of jobs created in the city.


Fortis Solutions Group to upgrade its headquarters and add 15 new jobs


Fortis Solutions Group, a label and flexible packaging manufacturer headquartered in Virginia Beach, has announced plans to upgrade its corporate headquarters facility at 2505 Hawkeye Court. The improvements will include an expansion of the parking area, upgrades to manufacturing and office spaces, HVAC units, new equipment and security measures.


The company will invest $2.35 million in capital improvements, bringing its overall investment in Virginia Beach to $9.7 million. The headquarters renovation follows the company’s recent acquisitions of Kopco Graphics and Color Craft Label in June 2015 and Smithfield Foods Inc.’s label printing plant in December 2015.


“The city’s support has been invaluable to us to continue our growth,” said CEO John O. Wynne, Jr. “The grant funds through YesOceana provide additional capital that make our expansion possible. In addition, these improvements enhance the area surrounding NAS Oceana, so the expansion is beneficial in several ways.”


The Virginia Beach Development Authority has approved an APZ-1 Economic Development Investment Program grant of $100,000 based on the capital investment for this expansion. The location is within the YesOceana program area, which was established in response to the Base Realignment and Closure Commission’s recommendation to close Oceana in 2005. The innovative program moves nonconforming businesses out of APZ-1 and recruits and retains businesses that meet zoning and conformity specifications into the area. It is the only program of its kind in the country, and YesOceana now serves as a model for other localities facing problems with encroachment around air installations.


The mission of the Virginia Beach Department of Economic Development is to attract and retain national and international businesses to stimulate capital investment and create jobs. Virginia Beach is the most populous city in Virginia, with a population of 450,000, and it is the 40th largest in the United States. It is recognized as one of the Best Run Cities in America by 24/7 Wall St. The Department of Economic Development received re-accreditation through the International Economic Development Council in 2012 and is one of only 29 economic development organizations in the world to have this recognition. It is listed among the Top Five Overall Mid-Sized American Cities of the Future, Top 10 for Economic Potential and Top Five for Infrastructure by fDi magazine. CNNMoney.com ranked Virginia Beach as the Easiest Place to Start a Business and the 2nd Most Business-Friendly City in the country. For more information, visit www.yesvirginiabeach.com.


From VBgov.com


Raising Awareness About Mental Health


Event Dates: March 3, 2016


6:30 P.M.- 8:30 P.M. Event location:


SCBC Fellowship Hall 2940 Corprew Avenue Norfolk, VA 23504 Contact info: (757) 572--4510


Newport News Branch NAACP Event Dates: Monthly Meeting


2nd Thursday of the month 7:00 pm Event Location:


Newport News Community Center 605 South Ave, Newport News, VA Contact info:


757-532-9486 | 757-532-4701 (text)


Read Across America Event Dates:


Wednesday, March 2nd 4:00 P.M.- 6:00 P.M. Event location:


Van Wyck Branch Library 1368 DeBree Avenue Norfolk, Virginia 23517


Easter Egg Hunt and Storytime Event Dates: March 24, 2016 Event location: Little Creek Library 7853 Tarpon Place Norfolk, VA 23518 Contact info: 757-441-1751


Work Ready (Teens & Adults) Event Dates: March 22nd 5:00 PM


Event location: Slover Library


235 E. Plume Street Norfolk, VA 23710 Contact info: (757) 664-7323


Free Tax Service with IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Event Dates:


January 16, 2016 - April 16, 2016 9 am-1 pm every Saturday and 10 am-1 pm every Tuesday Event location: Bethel A.M.E. Church


94 W Lincoln Street Hampton, VA Contact info:


Lillian McLaurin 757 728-1182


Learning Edge Event Dates: March 21, 2016 2:00PM-4:00PM Event location:


235 East Plume Street Norfolk, VA 23510


Cooking Club Event Dates: March 16, 2016 6:00 PM


Event location:


Mary D. Pretlow Anchor Branch Library 111 W. Ocean View Ave. Norfolk, Virginia 23503 Contact info: (757) 441-1750


Teen Tech Week Gaming Tournament Event Dates: March 9, 2016 4:30-6:30 PM Event location:


Barron F. Black Branch Library 6700 E. Tanners Creek Dr. Norfolk, VA 23513 Contact info: 757- 441-5806


Norfolk Branch NAACP Meeting Event Dates:


2nd Monday of the month 7pm-8pm


Event location:


Huntersville Community Center 830 Goff Street Norfolk, VA Contact info: 757 627-1096


Virginia Beach NAACP Meeting Event Dates:


Second Monday of the month 7:00pm


Event location:


868 North Newtown Rd Suite 101 Virginia Beach, VA Contact info: 757-490-7799


Powerpoint 101 Event Dates: February 6, 2016 1:00 PM- 3:00PM Event location: Slover Library


235 East Plume Street Norfolk, Virginia 23510 Contact info: 757-664-7323


Creating Resumes in Word Event Dates:


March 28, 2016 1:00 P.M. - 3 P.M. Event location: Slover Library


235 East Plume Street Norfolk, VA 23510 Contact info: 757-431-7448


LinkedIn Basics Event Dates: March 25, 2016 Event location:


Mary D. Pretlow Anchor Branch 235 East Plume Street Norfolk, VA 23510 Contact info: (757) 431-7448


Learning Edge (School Age) Event Dates: March 7,2016 2:00PM-4:00PM Event location: Slover Library


235 E. Plume Street Norfolk, VA 23510 Contact info: (757) 664-7323


Sistahs with Sass Urban Fiction Book Club Event Dates: February 20, 2016 Event location: Grissom Library


366 Deshazor Drive Newport News, VA 23608


Contact info: 757-441-1751


Health & Wellness Fair Event Dates: March 19, 2016 11:30 AM


Event location: Little Creek Library 7853 Tarpon Place Norfolk, Virginia 23518 Contact Info: 757-591-4792


KPC Writer's Group Event Dates:


Every third Tuesday 7-8:30 PM Event location:


Kempsville Presbyterian Church 805 Kempsville Road


Virginia Beach, VA 23464 Contact info: 757-621-3768


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