Greetings from Return to Roots!
In this issue:
GOVERNOR KAINE ANNOUNCES LATEST NO. 1 PRO-BUSINESS RANKING FOR VIRGINIA
~Pollina Corporate Real Estate cites Virginia as a nationwide model~
RICHMOND – Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced that Virginia’s pro-business environment has garnered the Commonwealth its latest No. 1 ranking nationally. The top slot accorded to Virginia this week by Pollina Corporate Real Estate Inc., a top U.S. corporate site relocation expert, marks the third time the company has recognized the state with its highest ranking and is the sixth time overall that the Commonwealth has received national recognition as the most business-friendly state under the leadership of Governor Kaine.
Titled Pollina Corporate Top 10 Pro-Business States for 2009: Rebuilding Americans’ Economic Power, the annual study examined job retention and creation by all 50 states and the federal government. Other states rounding out the top five are Utah, North Carolina, Wyoming and South Carolina.
Virginia also held the top spot in the Pollina study in 2003 and 2007. The Commonwealth ranked second from 2004 to 2006 and third in 2008.
“As Governor, I’ve made it a priority to foster opportunity and quality jobs for Virginians while ensuring our workforce has the educational resources and skills it needs to compete globally,” said Governor Kaine. “During these tough economic times in particular, reclaiming the No. 1 ranking speaks volumes about the consistent way in which Virginia does business—and demonstrates that we’re up for the challenge.”
The Pollina study evaluated states based on 33 factors—including taxes, human resources, right-to-work legislation, energy costs, infrastructure spending, workers compensation laws, economic incentives programs, and state economic development efforts.
During Governor Kaine’s administration, Virginia has been recognized as the most business-friendly state in America (Forbes.com 2006-2008), one of the best states for business (CNBC 2007 and 2008), the top-performing state government in America (Governing Magazine 2008) and the state where “a child is most likely to have a successful life (Education Week 2007).”
Earlier this month, the Commonwealth also ranked second in Directorship magazine’s first annual Boardroom Guide to the Best States for Business. The guide assesses the litigation climate in each of the 50 states, as well as the economy, tax climate, cost of living, education, and other measures. In Directorship’s study, Virginia ranked in the top 10 on quality of life, higher education, economy, and the state litigation ranking.
Chicago-based Pollina Corporate Real Estate is a full-service brokerage and consulting firm representing corporations in real estate matters on a national and international basis.
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Return to Roots Sponsorship Opportunities
Return to Roots will begin implementing a sponsorship program that provides regional employers the opportunity to sponsor either the Return to Roots website or newsletter. We will provide a variety of options and opportunities to display your graphics and information on our webpage, all of which will enable employers to further expand their outreach to job seekers all across the country.
Our sponsorship program is designed to further develop the exposure of employers in the Southwest region of Virginia by allowing employers to display their company to Return to Roots users in a variety of different ways, from homepage banners to feature articles in the job seekers' newsletter.
Information on sponsoring a logo, ad or feature article in the upcoming newsletter can be found below.
Click here to see a visual depiction of each service
E-Newsletter Sponsorships
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1 Month
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2
Months
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3
Months
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6
Months
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12
Months
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Holiday Issue
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Discount |
(0%) |
(5%) |
(10%) |
(15%) |
(20%) |
(+25%) |
Logo Placement
(120x120 pixel) |
$150 |
$285 |
$405 |
$765 |
$1440 |
$187 |
Large Sponsorship
(220x240 pixel) |
$345 |
$656 |
$932 |
$1761 |
$3315 |
$431 |
Small Sponsorship
(220x120 pixel) |
$215 |
$409 |
$580 |
$1225 |
$2064 |
$268 |
Descriptive Sponsorship w/ Logo
(120x120 pixel w/ 50 word description) |
$185
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$351
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$499
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$943
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$1776
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$231
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Banner
(468x60 pixel) |
$300 |
$570 |
$810 |
$1530 |
$2880 |
$375 |
Feature Article
(500 word article) |
$450 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
E-Newsletter Sponsorship
(This E-Newsletter brought to you by) |
$660 |
$1254 |
$1782 |
$3366 |
$6336 |
$825 |
Sponsor your company or organization here, in the image space above. Refer to the table above for more information!
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A Message for All Current Registered Employers:
In the coming months Return to Roots will begin moving from being a grant sponsored to a self sustainable program. The implementation of this transformation will occur over the course of the next few months with the goal of adhering to the needs of our current and future customers. We at RTR want to emphasis that we will continue to uphold our mission of serving the communities, people and employers of Southwestern Virginia. We feel such goals can be more efficiently met if we further develop our services with your input and assistance.
Will you help us by voluntarily participating in this brief 5 minute survey? Click here to access survey.
http://www.virginiaeconomicbridge.org/2survey/RTRSwVA_2009_Employer_Survey/
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Virginia’s Great Southwest
Are you or someone you know interested in returning to or living inVirginia’s Great Southwest? Be sure to visit www.swvaonline.org. This website provides information for locals, tourists, visitors and for newcomers relocating to Southwest Virginia.
Local Events of SWVA
Floyd Fandango Beer and Wine Festival
New this year! The Floyd Fandango Beer & Wine Festival combines the best of both worlds. That's right, Wine Down the Music Trail and the infamous Floyd Fandango will be uniting forces this Festival season for a stellar event. Featuring over 15 wineries from the VA and NC regions and 10 of your favorite microbrews along with amazing entertainment, this is sure to be a one-of-a-kind event! Festival will take place at the beautiful festival venue, Blue Cow Pavilion, which is located at milepost 170.5 off the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway.
Blue Cow Pavillion
Mile Post 170.5 Blue Ridge Parkway
Floyd, VA 24091
The Jacksonville Center for the Arts Presents:
The 2nd Annual Live Art Auction!
Mark your calendars for Saturday, July 18, 2009 in the evening to attend our Second Annual Live Auction with Ken Farmer. This event is a benefit for the Jacksonville Center, and will include beverage and food tastings from local producers, as well as live music early in the evening. Starts at 5 with the Auction commencing at 7:30. Proxy bidding will be allowed if you’re unable to attend.
220 Parkway Lane
South
Floyd, Virginia, 2409
(540)-745-2784
Floyd Fest!
Now in its 8th incarnation, the festival will take place July 23-26, 2009 in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of southwest Virginia. Since its inception in 2002, FloydFest organizers have prided themselves in providing a safe and welcoming ground for a global community forum, and musical showcase steeped in Appalachian roots. This year’s theme Revival echoes the festival’s mission to serve as a holistic plateau for the restoration and rejuvenation of our individual values, and our living culture.
3641 Black Ridge RD SW
Floyd, VA 24091
Floyd Fest Website
Highands Festival
Join us for the 2009 Virginia Highlands Festival July 25 - August 9
The Virginia Highlands Festival began in 1948 and, over the years, has grown and flourished. Today it is one of the top 100 tourist events in North America and one of the top 20 in the Southeast -- offering plenty of entertainment, an enormous antiques market, juried art and photography competitions, and a juried arts and crafts show, as well as nationally-known writers, lecturers, and visual and performing artists.
Vist The Virginia Highlands Festival's Website for more information.
Hungry Mother Arts and Crafts Festival
The Art League of Marion invites you to attend a weekend of arts, crafts, entertainment and food. The 36th annual Hungry Mother Festival will be held July 17-19, 2009, at Hungry Mother State Park, U. S. Highway 16 North, Marion, Virginia, from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.on Sunday. The lake at beautiful Hungry Mother State Park is the setting for over 100 arts and crafts exhibits including baskets, decorative wood, pottery, jewelry, candles, fine art, soaps, stained glass, and much more.
The Art League of Marion uses 100% of the jury fees and a percentage of the booth fees collected from exhibitors to provide scholarships to deserving Smyth County students who are continuing their education in art, music, and theater.
The Wizard of Oz
Location: Abingdon, VA
127 West Main St.
Abingdon, VA 24142
Various Dates and times throughout the month.
Dorothy's not in Kansas anymore as a twister hits her farm and carries her "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." Join Dorothy, Toto, Scarecrow, Tin Man and Cowardly Lion as they go "Off to See the Wizard" in one of the most beloved family stories of all time!
For All Showtimes, click here.
Barter Theatre
Appalachian Trail: Garden Mountain, Chestnut Ridge, &
Brushy Mountain
Location: Bland County, Virginia
This saunter over Chestnut Ridge to Poor Valley and over
Lynn Camp and Brushy Mountains offers the kind of remote,
wild feeling for which the southern Appalachian Trail is
known. The American chestnut that gave the ridge its name no
longer survives, but there is still plenty to enjoy: the
lush farmland of Burkes Garden, a spring-fed pond for
cooling off, the stillness of the deep woods of Beartow...
To learn more, click
here.
Pandapas Fishing Pond
Locality: Montgomery County
Blacksburg Ranger District, USDA Forest Svc.
Jefferson Nat'l. Forest, 110 Southpark Dr.
Blacksburg,
VA 24060
Pandapas Pond is an 8-acre man-made pond on the edge of the
Eastern Continental Divide. It features warm-water fishing
and canoeing. A one-mile circuit trail goes around the pond,
and several other popular Jefferson Nat'l. Forest trails
connect to it.
To learn more, click
here.
Blue Ridge PBS JobQuest
Join Blue Ridge PBS in a community service partnership addressing the employment challenges facing our citizens. JobQuest—a monthly one-hour program broadcast live from the Blue Ridge PBS studio– make job seekers aware of job openings in our region.
The program is a partnership with Virginia Economic Bridge, Inc., the Return to Roots program and other organizations and area business resources. Employment experts and local leaders are on hand to share their insights on the local job market. Human resource experts from the area are in the studio to take viewer calls and offer tips on the hiring process. JobQuest is a high-definition production of Blue Ridge PBS.
To learn more click here.
The next hour-long program will be aired on Tuesday, July 7th at 7:00 PM.
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A series of entrepreneurial business and management workshops are being held across Virginia to assist new business startups and existing small businesses!
These workshops are designed to provide information on available business resources and deliver practical, hands-on training covering key elements of business practice. Workshop segments will include information on how to start and operate a business, growing an existing business, marketing strategies, financing and available resources.
Upcoming Events
SWVA Chapter of RMA “Women in Business" Workshop
Location: Virginia Highlands Small Business Incubator
851 French Moore Jr. Blvd
Abingdon, Virginia 24210
Date: Friday, July 10, 2009
Time: 09:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Read More and Register Here!
Bristol VA/TN Growing Sales Seminar
Location: Bristol, TN
King College Student Center
Date: Thursday, August 13, 2009
Time: 09:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Read More and Register Here!
Scott County Entrepreneur Express Workshop
Location: Scott County Community Services Building
112 Beech Street
Gate City, VA
Date: Thursday, August 20, 2009
Time: 09:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Read More and Register Here!
Bristol VA/TN Entrepreneur Express Workshop
Location: Bristol, TN
King College Student Center
Date: Thursday, September 17, 2009
Time: 09:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Read More and Register Here!
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“JobQuest” Broadcasts Good News, Optimism
The sixth episode of "JobQuest" began, June 9, with a special announcement from Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, which plans to hire 25 people for its Roanoke office. Cindy Kinney, Anthem's Director for Human Resources, said most of the openings are direct sales positions in telemarketing and telesales. Kinney said more information about these jobs is available at www.anthem.com.
"Having a prominent employer like Anthem choose 'JobQuest' to make such a big announcement is a testament to the credibility of our program." said Julie Newman, "JobQuest" producer and host. "'JobQuest' is a valuable resource for job seekers across the region. We encourage people who missed the show to visit BlueRidgePBS.org for video clips, information about other jobs, and tips on how to get back to work."
Another special "JobQuest" guest was Doloris Vest, President of the Workforce Investment Board for Western Virginia, who described the many resources available through the numerous "one-stop-career-centers" across the region. Free services include a wide range of employment, training, and career education programs.
The program featured an additional 60 new job openings from across the Blue Ridge PBS viewing area, and more advice from the show's certified resume writing expert. Human resources professionals were again taking calls at the "JobQuest" phone bank and helping people in the Internet chat room. A couple social networking volunteers were also in the studio during the show, using Twitter to post microblogs about the live program.
"JobQuest" continues Tuesday, July 7 at 7 p.m. with another live, information-packed broadcast.
Email JobQuest at jobquest@blueridgepbs.org
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