12 The Hampton Roads Messenger


Volume 10 Number 14 Around Hampton Roads


Dollar Tree to add 600 new jobs in Chesapeake


CHESAPEAKE – Governor Terry McAuliffe announced recently that


Dollar Tree, Inc., an American chain of discount variety stores, will invest $110 million for development of its corporate headquarters in the City of Chesapeake. Virginia successfully competed against North Carolina for the project, which will retain 825 jobs and create 600 new jobs over the next six years.


“This is a tremendous project for the City of Chesapeake and the Commonwealth,” said Governor McAuliffe, speaking at the event. “Dollar Tree has been an outstanding corporate citizen for 30 years in Virginia and these 600 new jobs are a testament to the business climate, location and workforce the Commonwealth has provided. This project further solidifies Dollar Tree’s commitment to Virginia, and we are thrilled to see their headquarters grow and create hundreds of well-paid jobs. Ensuring our businesses succeed is key for building a new Virginia economy, and Dollar Tree continues to be a significant part of those efforts.”


“Dollar Tree has been an excellent corporate partner based in Hampton


Roads,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Maurice Jones. “The company has continually made a strong commitment to invest in Virginia and its citizens, and I am pleased that the Commonwealth was able to assist with this most recent expansion. I congratulate the company with respect to the continued growth that it is experiencing and commend also the City of Chesapeake for this exciting win.”


“Dollar Tree has seen tremendous growth over the past 30 years,” said


Dollar Tree CEO Bob Sasser. “We have grown from a small company to a leading retailer with more than 14,000 retail stores across North America. To facilitate our continued growth, we are investing in the expansion of our corporate facilities. Chesapeake will be our center of growth for services shared across the entire corporation. We are appreciative of the support we have received from the City of Chesapeake and the Commonwealth of Virginia. We are excited about this development and the opportunity to create more jobs, as we grow our business.”


The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with the City


of Chesapeake and Chesapeake Economic Development to secure this project for Virginia. Governor McAuliffe approved a $4 million grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund to assist Chesapeake with the project. The Governor also approved $5.3 million in funds from the Virginia Economic Development Incentive Grant (VEDIG), which was established as a self- funded program of performance-based incentives that the Commonwealth awards to exceptional economic development projects with large numbers of employees and very high wages relative to average wages for that particular area. The company will receive benefits from the Port of Virginia Economic and Infrastructure Development Zone Grant Program. Dollar Tree will also be eligible to receive funding and services to support the company’s employee training activities provided through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program.


“Dollar Tree’s decision to grow its headquarters and operations is an


announcement most communities dream of,” said Chesapeake Mayor Alan P. Krasnoff. “The long-term relationship we’ve built with Dollar Tree has turned a dream into a welcome reality, and when Dollar Tree succeeds as a company, Chesapeake succeeds as a city.”


“It is always good news when a business invests in Virginia,” said


John Reinhart, CEO and executive director of the Virginia Port Authority. “It’s especially satisfying when a Virginia-based company like Dollar Tree -- and major user of The Port of Virginia -- chooses to reinvest in Virginia. Dollar Tree’s decision to expand in Chesapeake highlights the pro-business environment in Hampton Roads and Virginia and the ancillary-type jobs that the port market creates. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Dollar Tree and working with this long-time corporate citizen to continue building jobs and investment in the Commonwealth.”


NASA 'computer' Katherine Johnson is celebrated


There was standing room only recently when a


crowd of more than 300 men, women and children gathered at Hampton’s Carousel Park to celebrate the accomplishments of 98-year-old retired NASA mathematician Katherine Johnson.


Johnson, the subject of a soon-to-be-released


Hollywood movie, was a math prodigy who became a “human computer” at NASA during the early years of the space program and helped plot the trajectory of various space missions, including John Glenn’s trip into space.


Mayor Donnie Tuck, City Manager Mary Bunting, members of City


Council and others watched as a special marker and bench honoring Johnson were unveiled. Johnson, who turned 98 on August 26, 2016, told the group she really appreciated their kindness, thoughtfulness and remembrances. She was joined by her husband, children, grandchildren and other family members. The family members of other trailblazing "computers" were also on hand.


The ceremony was sponsored by Hampton’s Convention and Visitors Bureau; the National Technical Association, an organization dedicated to addressing the lack of minority participation in mainstream architectural and engineering activity; and the Sankofa Projects, an organization that creates


cultural and educational programs focused on the experience of the African diaspora.


“Hidden Figures,” the movie about Johnson’s life and trials as a black


“computer” at NASA, will be released in January. The stars of the movie, Taraji P. Henson, Jonelle Monae and Octavia Spencer, sent Johnson birthday wishes Friday, as did former astronaut Leland Melvin.


2017 One City Marathon charities announced


The City of Newport News has announced the selection of three local


nonprofits to benefit from the 2017 One City Marathon. The third annual marathon will benefit organizations that provide youth development services to the citizens of Newport News – Alternatives, Inc., the Center for Child and Family Services and Parents Against Bullying. These three organizations were chosen out of 23 applications submitted for consideration.


“Each of these organizations works to help our youth identify and manage


emotions, form healthy relationships, make positive choices, and develop the skills needed to become productive citizens for the 21st century,” said Mayor McKinley Price. “We are delighted to partner with these three charities for the 2017 One City Marathon.”


As selected charitable partners, these organizations will benefit from promotion on the marathon website and through social media, inclusion in the post-race celebration, and online donation opportunities at race registration. Additionally, these organizations will be able to utilize a crowdfunding “Run for Free” program to raise money for their cause.


Brief descriptions of the charitable partners follow. The mission of Alternatives, Inc. is “to inspire the inherent potential


of all youth to reach their potential and to inspire adults to recognize this same potential.” For over forty years, Alternatives has worked to build the social and emotional intelligence of all youth on the Virginia Peninsula. The agency provides programs and services that impact youth from ages 3-21 in Hampton and Newport News. Rather than a center based program, Alternatives forms partnerships with early childhood centers, community and faith based organizations, and schools to embed high quality program activities that foster pro-social skills. Alternatives served over 3,300 Newport News residents last year.


The Center for Child and Family Services (CCFS) has been providing


services to Newport News residents since 1943. A comprehensive multi- services organization, CCFS impacts that community by working with providing conflict resolution and job readiness skills for at risk youth, empowering individuals and couples with greater financial literacy, providing mental health therapy and offering employment opportunities for individuals post-incarceration. Last year, more than 1,000 Newport News residents were assisted through CCFS.


Parents Against Bullying (PAB) is a grass roots organization that strives


to prevent bullying and provide support to youth and families affected. Their goal is to teach youth and families to speak up and speak out against bullying. Bullying has taken on a new dimension with the autonomy of the internet and the issue is a significant issue with our youth in and out of schools. PAB facilitates ongoing mentorships, workshops and weekly group meetings along with large scale events activities as well as awareness information and resources using a proactive approach with youth. Using existing partnerships with the schools and other service providers, over 2,300 Newport News residents were served by PAB.


A kids art challenge for a greener Norfolk begins


Norfolk children, ages 4-18, use your artistic skills to encourage residents to recycle, reuse, and reduce waste and have a chance to win


Norfolk children, ages 4-18, use your artistic skills to encourage residents to recycle, reuse, and reduce waste, and you might win a prize in a contest sponsored by Norfolk Waste Management, Keep Norfolk Beautiful and Recycling Perks.


One winner will be selected at each level:


Elementary School Level: Winner receives an Amazon Fire Kids Edition, 7" Display tablet


Middle School Level: Winner receives an Amazon Fire, 7" Display tablet High School Level: Winner receives Beats Solo2 headphones


Three teachers who encourage the most submissions, will also be awarded a $50 gift card or equivalent. The contest is open to any child between the ages of 4 to 18, residing


in Norfolk. Children will use their favorite creative outlet (example: painting, photographs, drawings, video, crafts, recycled materials, article, poem, etc.) to encourage Norfolk to be greener and/or to recycle. An example could be to illustrate the following sentence “Recycle for the future” or “Recycle for Norfolk”. Another example could be to illustrate the “3 Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle”.


DEADLINE:


January 8 2017 at midnight. Get more details at www.recyclingperks.com


September 2016


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