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Partnership, Chamber announce sharpened economic development focus
October 2, 2013
Complementary economic development strategies will benefit the Richmond Region
Richmond, VA – The Greater Richmond Chamber (GRC) and the Greater Richmond Partnership (GRP) announce an exciting new effort to elevate the region’s economic development efforts to a level befitting of the region’s success and economic realities of the 21st century. Successful growth over the last two decades has raised the region to a more competitive tier, necessitating a more specialized approach to economic development.
In order to address the full range of opportunities, the two organizations will specialize and fundraise for their respective areas of strength: The Greater Richmond Chamber will expand its talent attraction, retention and development initiatives, as well as workforce development opportunities while the Greater Richmond Partnership will narrow its focus on attracting and retaining world class businesses and jobs to the region.
“Simply put, companies are attracted to localities where qualified talent is readily available, and vice versa,” said Kim Scheeler, President and CEO of the Greater Richmond Chamber. “By focusing on the talent piece of that equation, the Chamber can complement the GRP’s work of recruiting businesses to the region as well as address shifting demographics, global competition and other modern day issues that require this type of approach.”
The Chamber’s program will align with the localities addressed by the Capital Region Collaborative (CRC), to include Charles City, Chesterfield, City of Richmond, Goochland, Hanover, Henrico, Powhatan, New Kent and the Town of Ashland, and will be addressing many of the recommendations laid out by the CRC’s work groups at the end of October.
“By independently narrowing our focus, and working simultaneously on these related issues, the Partnership and Chamber can better serve the people and companies of the Richmond Region,” said Gregory H. Wingfield, President and CEO of the Greater Richmond Partnership, Inc. “The Partnership specializes in business attraction, expansion and retention, and we want to concentrate on what we do best,” he explained.
The Partnership and Chamber have been tied since 1994 when a group of area businesses raised funds to form a public-private partnership with the Metropolitan Economic Development Council (MEDC), comprised of the same four localities currently served by the Partnership. The Partnership’s four public partners (Chesterfield, Hanover, Henrico and Richmond) have committed future funding of regional economic development efforts, with additional monies to be raised from private sector businesses.
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About the Greater Richmond Chamber
Since 1867, the Greater Richmond Chamber has taken the lead to enhance and institute change in the Richmond Region, making the Region an ideal location for businesses to prosper. The Chamber, a not-for-profit business membership association with more than 1,300 members, is a catalyst for business development and the voice of business in the City of Richmond, the counties of Charles City, Chesterfield, Goochland, Hanover, Henrico, New Kent and Powhatan, as well as the Town of Ashland. www.grcc.com
About the Greater Richmond Partnership
The Greater Richmond Partnership, Inc. was launched in 1994 as a pioneering regional public-private initiative to serve as the regional economic development group for the City of Richmond and counties of Chesterfield, Hanover and Henrico. The mission is to help grow the regional economy through the attraction of high quality jobs and new capital investment, the retention of existing businesses, and the continued improvement of the region's business climate. Please visit www.grpva.com.
Press Contacts
Greg Wingfield
Greater Richmond Partnership
(804) 643-3227
[email protected]
Kim Scheeler
Greater Richmond Chamber
(804) 783-9333
[email protected]
Lesley Bruno
Greater Richmond Chamber
(804) 783-9328
[email protected]
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