The Partnership has four main work activities:

• Marketing and New Business Attraction
• Business Retention and Expansion
• Workforce Development Services
• Small Business Assistance

These activities are described in more detail below:

Marketing and New Business Attraction

Marketing the Greater Richmond area involves covering a lot of territory.

The Partnership regularly handles arrangements, appointments, coordination, and logistics for trade shows, special events, and sales calls in the U.S. and abroad. On average, the Partnership conducts more than 50 outreach marketing events annually around the world, including popular “Invest in America” and “Profit in America” seminars. The Partnership’s on-site consultants in the United Kingdom and Europe assist with advance work and follow-up.

Site location assistance is provided to domestic and international companies planning new or expanded facilities. The Partnership is a single point of contact to the network of private sector and state and local government professionals that supports a company’s facility location decision. At the start of the site selection process, the Partnership provides real estate information and customized economic and business information as requested by the company. The Partnership provides regional real estate searches and reports through a subscription to CoStar Group, Inc.

For company representatives visiting Greater Richmond, the Partnership structures an itinerary including a community orientation and a review of appropriate sites and buildings. The Partnership arranges meetings with providers of legal, financial, and other support services and provides introductions to government leaders. In addition, the Partnership arranges “peer to peer” meetings with local business leaders to get their insights into doing business in the area.

When a company chooses a Greater Richmond location, public relations services and relocation services for company employees are available from the Partnership in cooperation with the Greater Richmond Chamber and local businesses.

Business Retention and Expansion

Business First - Greater Richmond is a collaborative effort between the Partnership, the Greater Richmond Chamber and four local government partners that focuses resources, services and support on companies that call Greater Richmond home. Professional development staff and trained volunteers from the business community interview CEOs and other top company officials to fully understand the company and the factors critical to its long-term success. Companies touched by the program receive a high level of customer service and access to a wide variety of resources – dictated by the company’s unique needs. This customer-focused approach delivers value by quickly connecting companies to the resources they need and removing barriers to business growth. Information gained through the program is also used to make Greater Richmond an even better place to do business.

Workforce Development Services

Workforce development initiatives in Greater Richmond provide a vital link between employers, employees, and the education and training communities to expedite the flow of information and planning in the local job market. Regional College-to-Career Fairs match interns, graduating seniors and recent graduates of the region’s two- and four-year colleges and universities with area employers and jobs. A Workforce Services Directory, in print and electronic versions, provides contact information on more than 900 area workforce services providers. The Chamber’s NEXT program (Network for Executives in Transition) provides business networking opportunities for family members of relocating executives. These workforce development services are provided by the Greater Richmond Chamber through a contract with the Partnership.

Small Business Assistance

Counseling, training, education and information services for small business owners and future business owners are provided through a partnership of local, regional and national resources. The Greater Richmond Small Business Development Center is a partnership between the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Greater Richmond Chamber. The Business Leaders Roundtable provides a forum for open and confidential peer group consultation. Business owners and principals can discuss business concerns and enhance their companies’ growth and profitability. Small business services are provided by the Greater Richmond Chamber through a contract with the Partnership.

Research, information and publications support these four main work activities. In addition to real estate information, the Partnership maintains information on critical business factors, including labor, education and training, transportation, utilities, taxes, incentives, area industries and business climate. Presentations tailored to a company’s specific needs can be prepared and comparisons with other metropolitan areas and states can be provided.

The Partnership produces information in a variety of formats, including print publications, electronic media, maps and tailored CDs. Print publications include Just the Facts, Technology in Greater Richmond, U.S. Start-Up Model for International Firms, and WORK Magazine. Electronic information includes the Partnership’s website, www.grpva.com, and a monthly email newsletter, grpva.comment. The Partnership tracks change and innovation in the region’s economy with industry-specific websites and email newsletters for the corporate headquarters, advanced materials/specialty chemicals, life sciences, logistics, and finance sectors.

Orientation briefings in Richmond or at out-of-state locations are provided in cooperation with relocation firms. The Partnership also underwrites tailored tours conducted by Leadership Metro Richmond for “Experience Richmond,” an orientation program for senior-level executives and their spouses.