|
|
Greetings from Return to Roots!Return to Roots Announced as a Top 50 Innovation in Government by Harvard University RADFORD, Va., April 1, 2009- Earlier today, the Return to Roots program, a Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission funded project managed by Virginia Economic Bridge, Inc., was announced as one of the top 50 finalists for Innovations in American Government Awards judged by the Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and Innovation at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. Return to Roots was selected as a top program from an extensive field of 600 applicants that underwent rigorous rounds of evaluation by policy experts and practitioners from across the country. The Top 50 programs include 21 cities and towns, six counties, one school district, 11 states, nine federal agencies, one tribal government, and one regional authority. The Innovations in American Government Awards was created by the Ford Foundation in 1985 in response to widespread pessimism and distrust in government’s effectiveness. The awards program acts as a significant force in restoring public trust in government by promoting public sector creativity and excellence. Competing programs demonstrate innovative solutions within a host of policy areas including health and social services; management and governance; community and economic development; education and training; criminal justice; transportation and infrastructure; and the environment. Since its inception, over 400 government programs across all jurisdiction levels have been recognized and have collectively received more than $20 million in grants to support dissemination efforts. “Being selected for this award by Harvard University is a testament to the importance of a program like Return to Roots that works closely with the state to support economic success,” said Carl Mitchell, Program Manager for Return to Roots and President & CEO of Virginia Economic Bridge. “The national recognition received by Return to Roots as a result of its services is a part of the driving force behind our continued efforts in Southwestern Virginia, our newfound endeavors within Southern Virginia, and our desires to see this program become implemented statewide.” Return to Roots is bringing people back to Southwest Virginia, even though unemployment numbers have been disappointing. Allen Thiel, of CGI; Jim Reiley, of Mountain Empire Community College; and Kendall Edmiston, of Mailtrust, are all recent successes that were attracted to the Return to Roots website because of the local job postings and helpful regional information. Their experience with the website and program resulted in them now living and working in the region. The Return to Roots program has made great strides in recruiting back and retaining the Commonwealth’s highly trained graduates within Virginia. Currently, Return to Roots is reaching out to educational institutions across the state of Virginia to request their assistance in the search for alumni. A single organization cannot hope to achieve broad accomplishments on its own, and Return to Roots works to build a larger network within Virginia to reach out to former and potential residents of Virginia. Return to Roots locates former and potential Southwest Virginia residents and brings them to their roots for career opportunities. The program operates primarily through the website www.ReturnToRoots.org to inform them about employment opportunities available in Southwest Virginia. Virginia Economic Bridge, Inc. is a nonprofit organization that promotes the economic vitality and external competitiveness of the Commonwealth through business, industry and educational partnerships between Southwestern Virginia, Northern Virginia and other regions of the Commonwealth. Value driven, innovative and efficient, Virginia Economic Bridge, Inc. defines success and gives organizations and businesses the tools necessary to cultivate new possibilities at a price they can afford. The Roy and Lila Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and Innovation advances excellence in governance and strengthens democratic institutions worldwide. Through its research, education, international programs, and government innovations awards, the Institute fosters creative and effective government problem solving and serves as a catalyst for addressing many of the most pressing needs of the world’s citizens. Asia Programs, a school-wide initiative integrating Asia-related activities, joined the Ash Institute in July 2008. The Ford Foundation is a founding donor of the Institute. Additional information about the Ash Institute is available at www.ashinstitute.harvard.edu. | |
Software Developer Lands Job back homeAfter years of living as a resident of the West Coast, Jim Reiley joined his family in Southwest Virginia through a job offer with Mountain Empire Community College (MECC). Reiley began working with MECC in late January of this year after successfully applying to the job opportunity through the Return to Roots website. Working on a National Science Foundation grant for increasing and improving the mathematics education in high school and colleges in Southwest Virginia, Reiley will serve as the Project Director for the MATH PAYS project. With his unique background, Reiley has extensive experience as both a computer software developer as well as a practicing naturopathic physician. Reiley first heard about the Return to Roots website from his wife’s uncle who lives in Tazewell, and decided to register on the site in order to find a job near his family. Aside from his relatives in Tazewell, Reiley’s daughter and grandson live in Bristol, as well as his mother-in-law and others in Grundy. In addition to the benefits of being near family, Reiley said the people are pleasant and that “life is simpler and slower-paced.” Reiley found the Return to Roots website easy to navigate. He simply looked at the list of available jobs and applied for those that sounded like a good match. After most recently living in Connecticut, Reiley now lives right outside of Southwest Virginia in Bristol, Tenn., where he is putting his 20-some years of experience in software development, research and college instruction to use. For more information on the Return to Roots program, visit www.ReturntoRoots.org. Send Us Your Sucess Stories!We are continuously looking for success stories to feature on our website. We would love to hear from you if you have been interviewed or been hired by a company found through the Return to Roots program since registering with us. If you have a success story, please email Carl Mitchell, Program Manager, cmitchell@vebinc.org. Return to Roots Job OpportunitiesEach month, we will be featuring a short selection of the job postings that are available on www.returntoroots.org. If you are interested in the positions, know someone who is or are interested in other job opportunities, please be sure to visit the site. Take a glance at the list below to see this month's featured opportunities! Location: Abingdon, Virginia, 24210, USA Description:
Position Available: August 16, 2009. This is a full-time nine-month grant-funded teaching position. Reappointment will be based on performance evaluations, continuation of grant funding, and institutional needs. Application Process: Applicants must submit a completed Commonwealth of Virginia Application for Employment; resume; a letter of interest addressing qualifications for position, view of the community college faculty role and professional aspirations; unofficial copies of all college transcripts; and a list of three references with names, addresses, telephone numbers and email addresses. Position open until filled. Review of complete application packets will begin March 12, 2009. Documents may be submitted as original documents or attached to email. Official transcripts are required before a contract will be issued. It is the applicant's sole responsibility to ensure that required documentation is received. Application materials may be accessed at www.vhcc.edu/humanresources. Direct materials to Human Resource Manager, Virginia Highlands Community College, POB 828, Abingdon, VA 24212. Email: humanresources@vhcc.edu Position: Customer Management Representative Employer: Global Contact Services Location: Pulaski, Virginia, 24301, USA Seeking associates with strong communication and organizational skills to work in a fast-paced, challenging environment. Basic computer skills necessary. Duties include delivering outbound sales offers to select customers of our clients. All positions are full-time. We have two shifts: Day 9:00am - 4:15pm and Nights 4:15pm - Midnight & every other Saturday from 9:00am - 5:00pm. Starting pay $9.00 an hour. Enjoy a relaxed, professional environment. Great Benefits. Excellent on-site training. Are you up for the challenge? Ready to start a new career? Come by our location at 58 N Washington Ave, Pulaski, VA. Call us at 540.980.4353 or contact us at www.gcsagents.com Position: Chiropractor Location: Southwest Virginia, Virginia, 24060, USA Description: A position is available immediately in beautiful SWVA for a motivated self-starter with interest in making an impact in the community. We offer a competitive salary with opportunity for significant growth. Office is well established and has a long history of providing patient focused, quality care. If you are interested in practicing in a team environment with other chiropractors to help patients, please e-mail your CV to chiropracticads@yahoo.com. Position: Registered Nurse Location: Marion, Va. Southwest Virginia Mental Health Institute Description: Exciting opportunities exist for RN's to work 2nd (2:30 p.m. until 11:00 p.m.), or 3rd (10:30 p.m. until 7:00 a.m.) shifts working with patients who suffer from serious mental illness and/or substance abuse. 6-Weeks of Psychiatric Nursing Orientation and Preceptorship are provided. Graduation from an accredited nursing program and eligibility for or current licensure in the state of Virginia. Working knowledge of the principles and practices of professional nursing. Working skill in the application of professional nursing. Working skill in the application of professional nursing techniques. The following physical requirements are necessary: Manual dexterity to position patients, repetitious walking, standing, bending and lifting. A fingerprint-based criminal history check along with a check with the Dept of Social Services/Child Protective Services and Drug testing will be conducted on the finalist candidate for this position. Applicants are strongly encouraged to address factors related to the position to receive full consideration and to submit a complete state application. SWVMHI is an equal opportunity employer. Persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Position: Network Engineer Description: A local rapidly growing IT consulting firm in the Tri-cities area seeks a Network Engineer that can thrive in a challenging and rewarding environment. This person will help design, implement, troubleshoot, analyze, and maintain networks. This person should be comfortable interfacing with customers as this is a consulting position. Responsibilities: Required Qualifications: Upcoming Career FairsNew River Valley Job Fair Expo Bluefield State Job Fair Interstate Career Fair Vaughan-Bassett Furniture to expand in GalaxIt’s a common occurrence today to see companies closing their doors, cutting jobs in the thousands, and plants closing. We see it everywhere from the nightly news, to newspapers, to online articles, and even driving around town. Business is declining and with America’s economic situation, there is little hope right now for new jobs and job security. Galax, Virginia, on the other-hand, has received great news this week and has a reason now to be excited for the future of business in their town. Vaughan-Bassett Furniture has recently announced that they will be expanding and investing more money into their manufacturing facility in Galax. Vaughan-Bassett Furniture is a 90 year old company that was founded in Virginia. They specialize in making wooden bedroom furniture for adults and also dining room furniture. The Galax facility now employs 574 people. Vaughan-Bassett will be investing $2.15 million to expand its Galax facility. The investment is going to help save 500 existing positions and will help create 100 new jobs. The investment money will also go to purchasing new equipment. Along with Vaughan-Bassett’s investment, Governor Tim Kaine approved a $75,000 grant from the Governor’s Opportunity Fund. The Virginia Tobacco Commission also approved a $200,000 grant from the Tobacco Region Opportunity Fund. Vaughan-Bassett Furniture is trying to expand its business. Although in a recession, now is a great time to expand. Vaughan-Bassett can do this based on their strong financial security and lack of accrued debt. Machinery and labor is less expensive in a recession, so expanding business now can mean huge opportunities in the future. Southwest Virginia is grateful for the furniture company’s continued interest in the region. “Vaughan-Bassett Furniture has been a cornerstone of the economy of the Twin Counties region for 90 years, and we are very happy with their decision to remain committed to Galax” said C.M. Mitchell, Mayor of Galax. Vaughan-Bassett is a remarkable company that has stayed true to its roots. While other companies went overseas for cheaper labor, Vaughan-Bassett continued to manufacture in the states. They still continue to produce 95% of their furniture in the United States. I believe that Vaughan-Bassett Furniture is making a great decision to expand in the Galax location for several reasons. By investing in their business operations, they will have better equipment and more man-power to physically expand- making more furniture more efficiently. Vaughan-Bassett is also making an investment in their community; they are saving 500 jobs and are opening 100 new ones. This tells the community that they are a business who cares about the people of Galax and the surrounding areas; it will also improve the economy of those areas. Consumers will notice the loyalty that Vaughan-Bassett has shown to its local citizens. This could spur un-anticipated brand loyalty to Vaughan-Bassett. Consumers buying furniture won’t only shop there for a great product, but also for what the company stands for. This means retaining past buyers and also swaying new customers away from competitors. Other companies should look at Vaughan-Bassett as an example. Not only making operations better on the business side, but helping and investing in the community is how the future of successful companies is going to be decided. -Michael Weaver Each week
we feature 3 blogs on Southwest Virginia Topics. To read more blogs by student intern writers, go to |
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 in SWVA
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 Pond Fishing 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. MountainRose Vineyards Location: 10439 North Reservoir Road Wise, Virginia 24293 (276) 328-2013 Event: Grape Pruning Workshop - Brief lecture and practice. To learn more, click here
Oddfellas Cantina
Region: Blue Ridge Highlands Oddfellas' relaxed atmosphere and fantastic whole foods make a remarkable venue for live music. Specializing in "Appalachian Latino" cuisine, vegetarian dishes and Floyd County raised beef, Oddfellas has something for everyone. Average Cost: $10-$20 Of Mice and Men
Location: Abingdon, VA
Location: Board of Supervisors Meeting Room, Hillsville, VA 9:00am. This course will cover the basics of how to start an internet business or move your existing brick and mortar business online. Floyd Figures Art Group Floyd Figures Art Group is a non-instructional art group for adult artists. New artists and models welcome! Contact: Rio Simone
Growing Sales Seminar
Attention Southwest Virginia Business Owners/Community Leaders |
“JobQuest” broadcasts good news, optimism(Roanoke, Va.)—“JobQuest” shared a dose of good news and optimism with Blue Ridge PBS viewers on March 17, as the popular employment advice and information program returned for its third monthly primetime episode. Duncan Adams, a Roanoke Times reporter who covers economic development and manufacturing, helped start the show with news about area businesses like Vaughan-Bassett Furniture Co., which recently announced an expansion of its plant in Galax. Adams said Robatel, a French company, is establishing a U.S. subsidiary in Roanoke where it will create up to two dozen engineering and project management positions. Additionally, Adams said both Verizon and Wachovia have been hiring call center workers. Sixty new jobs openings were also highlighted during the show including a church pianist in Roanoke, fork lift operator in Abingdon, chef in Lynchburg, cake decorator in Floyd, chiropractic assistant in the New River Valley, customer service coordinator in Covington, and a warehouse supervisor in Danville. “We’ve made an extra effort to find open positions in communities across the Blue Ridge PBS region,” said James Baum, station President and CEO. “It’s amazing what a variety of jobs are available and we’re encouraged to know that ‘JobQuest’ is helping connect job hunters with potential employers.” According to Tabatha Rosen, General Manager of Bright Services, the company has had a lot of applicants who heard about job openings while watching “JobQuest.” Some have already been placed in full-time positions. "As a professional, full service staffing company, we encourage our job seekers to take advantage of information available through programs like ‘JobQuest,’” Rosen added. “When applicants are more informed and better prepared, it's much easier to place them in a new job. ‘JobQuest’ is a great resource for job hunters and employers in our region." So far “JobQuest” has alerted viewers to 170 job vacancies in the Blue Ridge region and provided valuable suggestions to help shorten the job search. Once again, toll-free phone lines were open and the “JobQuest” chat room was busy—all staffed by volunteers from the Roanoke Valley Society for Human Resource Management. Hundreds of people have called in during the first three episodes. Most asked questions about jobs that have been featured on the program. Others just wanted someone to talk with about their unemployment hardships. Roanoke-based CBS affiliate WDBJ7, a “JobQuest” partner, provided Brent Watts and Hollani Davis as hosts of the show. Serving as guest job readers during the program were Sam Lionberger, CEO Lionberger Construction Company; Richard Flora, Craig County Administrator; Eric Earnhart, Media & Community Relations Director for Carilion Health System; Carl Mitchell, Program Manager for Return to Roots; Leah Coffman, Administrative Officer for Workforce Development and Career Services at Virginia Western Community College; and Ray Smoot University Treasurer and Chief Operating Officer/Secretary Treasurer for the Virginia Tech Foundation. “JobQuest” continues April 14 at 7 p.m. with another live, information-packed broadcast. Visit www.blueridgepbs.org for help contacting the “JobQuest” team, a calendar of events, resume tips, links, and job listings highlighted during the show. Source: Blue Ridge PBS |
Blue Ridge PBS JobQuestJoin 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. To learn more click here. The next hour-long program will be aired on Tuesday, April 14th at 7:00 PM.
|
