STATE OF THE CITY 2016 HILTON GARDEN INN SUFFOLK RIVERFRONT – SUFFOLK CONFERENCE CENTER MAY 10, 2016 NOON – 2:00 P.M. SUFFOLK: COME ON OVER! MAYOR: BLACK TEXT INTRODUCTION PROVIDED BY BETSY BAGNELL TOTTEN, VICE PRESIDENT TOWNEBANK PRIVATE BANKING (TOWNEBANK - HAMPTON ROADS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SERIES PRESENTING SPONSOR) THANK YOU, DAWN, FOR THOSE KIND WORDS. TO ALL OF YOU, GOOD AFTERNOON AND THANKS FOR COMING ON OVER TO SUFFOLK’S STATE OF THE CITY EVENT! THE SUFFOLK STATE OF THE CITY IS PRESENTED BY THE HAMPTON ROADS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, AND ON BEHALF OF EVERYONE HERE, I WOULD LIKE TO SAY TO ALL THE MEMBERS OF THE CHAMBER: THANK YOU. DEDICATED TO BUSINESS GROWTH AND ECONOMIC EXPANSION OF THE HAMPTON ROADS AREA, WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIRELESS EFFORTS AS THE VOICE OF BUSINESS TO PROMOTE OUR REGION AND OUR COMMUNITY, NOT JUST TODAY, BUT EVERY DAY. AS NOTED IN THE LYRICS OF THE SONG FEATURED IN OUR OPENING VIDEO, SUFFOLK CERTAINLY IS A PLACE WHERE WE’RE EXCITED NOT ONLY ABOUT COMING TOGETHER, BUT WHERE WE WITNESS EVERY DAY THAT 1
WE’RE ALSO THERE FOR ONE ANOTHER. HERE AND NOW, THIS IS OUR TIME!
AS STATED,
I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THAT OUR MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL STAND AGAIN AND BE RECOGNIZED . WE ALL CONSIDER OURSELVES FORTUNATE TO BE REPRESENTATIVES IN A CITY WITH SUCH A RICH HISTORY, A DYNAMIC PRESENT AND AN UNLIMITED FUTURE. WE KNOW THAT WE BRING TO THE TABLE NOT JUST THE WANTS AND NEEDS OF OUR RESPECTIVE BOROUGHS, BUT A VISION FOR OUR COMMON WELFARE. WE FIND COMMON GROUND, EVEN WHEN WE DON’T AGREE. WE’VE LEARNED TO PROTECT WHAT WE LOVE ABOUT OUR CITY BY SOMETIMES EMBRACING CHANGE. IT’S BEEN SAID THAT THE SECRET OF CHANGE IS TO FOCUS ALL OF YOUR ENERGY NOT ON FIGHTING THE OLD, BUT ON BUILDING THE NEW – AND THAT’S JUST WHAT WE’VE CHOSEN TO DO IN ORDER TO MOVE OUR CITY FORWARD. SHARING THAT SAME PHILOSOPHY IS OUR NEW CITY MANAGER, PATRICK ROBERTS, AND I’D ALSO ASK THAT HE STAND AND BE RECOGNIZED . SINCE OFFICIALLY BECOMING CITY MANAGER LAST SEPTEMBER, PATRICK HAS RELIED ON LESSONS LEARNED YEARS AGO AS A GRADUATE OF THE VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE, WHERE THEIR CREED IS AN EDUCATION THAT DEVELOPS CHARACTER, ENGENDERS A SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY TO OTHERS, AND CULTIVATES THE ABILITY TO MASTER ADVERSITY – THESE ARE ALL INDEED 2
TRAITS THAT ARE DEEPLY ROOTED IN HIS PERSONA AND THAT WILL TAKE HIM FAR AS OUR CITY MANAGER. BUT LET’S “TALK TRASH” FOR A MOMENT. I WOULD LIKE TO PUBLICALLY THANK PATRICK FOR HIS LEADERSHIP AND TIRELESS WORK TO HELP BRING ABOUT A HOST AGREEMENT WITH SPSA. THIS AGREEMENT PROVIDES NEEDED PROTECTIONS FOR THE CITY OF SUFFOLK AS THE LANDFILL PLANS FOR POST-2018 OPERATIONS AND WILL ENSURE A SAFE CLOSURE AND END TO THE FACILITY UPON ITS COMPLETED USE, PROTECTING OUR INTERESTS FOR GENERATIONS TO COME. PATRICK KNOWS THIS CITY, AND PERHAPS MOST IMPORTANTLY, HE KNOWS THAT IN ORDER TO SUCCEED, WE MUST ALL WORK TOGETHER. SHARING THAT SAME PHILOSOPHY ARE OUR DEDICATED DEPARTMENT HEADS AND THEIR FELLOW CITY EMPLOYEES HERE WITH US TODAY, AND I’D ASK THAT THEY ALSO PLEASE STAND AND BE RECOGNIZED. AN EMPOWERED WORKFORCE IS ONE IN WHICH INDIVIDUALS HAVE THE KNOWLEDGE, SKILL, DESIRE AND OPPORTUNITY TO PERSONALLY SUCCEED – AND THESE INDIVIDUALS, ALONG WITH THEIR FELLOW EMPLOYEES NOT ABLE TO JOIN US TODAY – EPITOMIZE THE VERY BEST TRAITS OF PUBLIC SERVANTS. IN SPEAKING OF THE VERY BEST, I’D LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO HONOR OUR MILITARY, WHETHER ACTIVE DUTY OR RETIRED, AND I’D ALSO ASK THAT YOU STAND AND BE RECOGNIZED. 3
WE SALUTE YOU, IN MEMORY OF THOSE WHO HAVE SERVED, AND TO THOSE WHO SERVE US NOW, FOR THE FREEDOMS WE ALL ENJOY AND YOUR SACRIFICES AND SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY. I’D ALSO LIKE TO PERSONALLY THANK COMMANDER DANIEL J. KENDA OF NAVY INFORMATION FORCES FOR JOINING US TODAY AND LEADING OUR PLEDGE TO THIS GREAT NATION. WE ARE FORTUNATE TO HAVE UNITED STATES MILITARY FAMILIES, BOTH ACTIVE AND RETIRED, LIVING THROUGHOUT OUR 430 SQUARE MILES. THESE MILITARY FAMILIES, AND THEIR COMMITMENT TO SERVICE, MAKE OUR COMMUNITY THAT MUCH MORE DIVERSE, WARM AND MAKE SUFFOLK AN EVEN MORE SPECIAL PLACE TO BE. WE ARE ALSO PRIVILEGED TO HAVE AS PART OF OUR SUFFOLK WORKFORCE OVER 3,000 MILITARY AND CIVILIAN PERSONNEL AT NAVAL INFORMATION FORCES AND THE JOINT STAFF PROTECTING OUR COUNTRY. THE MEN AND WOMEN AT THESE FACILITIES ARE SOME OF OUR BRIGHTEST CYBER WARRIORS AND JOINT WARFARE SPECIALISTS, AND THE CUTTING EDGE WORK THAT THEY PERFORM PROTECTS OUR WAY OF LIFE TODAY AND INTO THE FUTURE. WHEN IT COMES TO THE STATE OF OUR CITY, IT’S EVIDENT THAT SUFFOLK IS PREPARED TO ACCELERATE OUR SUCCESS, TO CAPITALIZE ON OUR RESOURCES AND TO MOVE OUR TRIPLE AAA-RATED CITY TO EVEN GREATER HEIGHTS. WITH PLANNING AND VISION, SUFFOLK ACHIEVED OUR SECOND TRIPLE AAA CREDIT RATING FOR THE 4
SECOND YEAR IN A ROW, THIS TIME FROM FITCH RATINGS. ANNOUNCING THE DESIGNATION, THEY COMMENTED POSITIVELY ON THE CITY’S FINANCIAL RESULTS, MANAGEMENT TEAM, ECONOMIC DEVELOMENT TEAM AND FINANCIAL STAFF. WE ARE THRILLED WITH THIS AMBITIOUS ACHIEVEMENT THAT WE’VE WORKED SO HARD TO ATTAIN. OUR SOUND AND FISCALLY-RESPONSIBLE FINANCIAL POLICIES WILL CERTAINLY CONTINUE TO BENEFIT OUR CITIZENS AND ALLOW US TO MAINTAIN THE HIGH LEVELS OF SERVICES THEY DESERVE AND EXPECT OF THEIR GOVERNMENT. WHEN SPEAKING OF HIGH LEVELS OF SERVICE, I AM AGAIN REMINDED OF OUR DEDICATED CITY EMPLOYEES, AND AM DELIGHTED TO ADVISE THAT WITH THE RECENT APPROVAL OF OUR OPERATING AND CAPITAL BUDGET WE ARE ABLE TO ADDRESS COMPENSATION AND CRITICAL PERSONNEL RESOURCES IN ORDER TO PROVIDE WELL DESERVED RAISES. FURTHER, OUR COMPENSATION STUDY PLACES CITY POSITIONS AT PAY GRADES COMENSURATE WITH THE MARKET AVERAGE WHILE ALSO ADDRESSING COMPRESSION ISSUES, WITH 43% PERCENT OF THE TOTAL COST BENEFITTING PUBLIC SAFETY EMPLOYEES. AT THIS TIME, I’D LIKE I’D LIKE TO ASK ALL OF SUFFOLK’S PUBLIC SAFETY PERSONNEL TO PLEASE STAND AND BE RECOGNIZED . THESE BRAVE MEN AND WOMEN ARE TRULY OUR HEROES, AND CAN BEST BE DESCRIBED AS ORDINARY PEOPLE FACING EXTRAORDINARY CIRCUMSTANCES AND ACTING WITH COURAGE, HONOR AND SELF-SACRIFICE. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO, AND GOD BLESS EACH OF YOU! 5
WE RECOGNIZE THAT A VITAL COMPONENT TO OUR SUCCESS IS THE NEED TO CONTINUE TO INVEST IN OUR PEOPLE, FACILITIES AND TECHNOLOGIES. WE KNOW THAT WITH GROWTH COMES ECONOMIC RECOVERY. IT’S IMPORTANT THAT OUR CITIZENS UNDERSTAND THAT THE FISCAL DISCIPLINE AND RESTRAINT PRACTICED IN RECENT YEARS HAVE TRANSLATED INTO SOLID FINANCIAL HEALTH. WITHOUT THE DILIGENT PURSUIT OF GRANTS BY CITY PERSONNEL IN THE LAST TWELVE MONTHS – AN IMPRESSIVE TOTAL OF APPROXIMATELY $4.2 MILLION DOLLARS TO BE EXACT – TO FUND FUNDAMENTAL PROJECTS AS VARIED AS THE CONSTRUCTION OF TRAILS AT LAKE MEADE PARK, UPGRADES AT THE SUFFOLK EXECUTIVE AIRPORT, CRIME PREVENTION ACTIVITIES, NOT TO MENTION A SUMMER FEEDING PROGRAM FOR OUR YOUNGEST CITIZENS, JUST TO NAME A FEW, WE WOULDN’T HAVE THIS GOOD NEWS TO BE ABLE TO SHARE. THE CONSOLIDATION OF SEVERAL DEPARTMENTS INTO OUR CUSTOMER AND BUSINESS-FRIENDLY CITY HALL THAT OPENED IN THE FALL OF 2014 HAS ALSO SAVED TENS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN LEASE AND RENT PAYMENTS ALONE. THIS ONE-STOP SHOP HAS ALLOWED US TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE THE EFFICIENT, CONVENIENT, QUALITY SERVICES OUR CITIZENS DESERVE, COMBINED WITH THE MOST TECHNOLOGICALLY ADVANCED E-911 CAPABILITIES CURRENTLY AVAILABLE – ALL LOCATED IN A STATE-OF-THE-ART FACILITY OF WHICH WE ALL CAN BE PROUD. THIS FACILITY IS ALSO A CATALYST AND CORNERSTONE FOR THE CONTINUED REDEVELOPMENT, ADDITIONAL GROWTH AND PRIVATE INVESTMENT IN OUR DOWNTOWN. 6
ANOTHER NEW WAY WE WILL SOON BE DELIVERING INTERACTIVE SERVICES TO OUR CITIZENS IS WITH SUFFOLK CITIZEN CONNECTIONS, POWERED BY SEECLICKFIX. THIS IS A WEB TOOL THAT WILL ALLOW CITIZENS TO REPORT DIRECTLY FROM THEIR CELL PHONE SPECIFIC TOPIC RELATED, NON-EMERGENCY ISSUES WHICH ARE THEN COMMUNICATED DIRECTLY TO THE APPROPRIATE CITY DEPARTMENT. CITIZENS WILL HAVE THE OPTION OF UPLOADING A PHOTO WITH EACH SERVICE REQUEST TO VISUALLY COMMUNICATE THE ISSUE TO CITY STAFF, AIDING IN RESPONSE TIMES AND AWARENESS OF ITEMS NEEDING ATTENTION. SPEAKING OF ATTENTION, I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DIDN’T GIVE SPECIAL RECOGNITION TO OUR FRIENDS FROM TARGET! THEY’VE BEEN AN ACTIVE COMMUNITY PARTNER SINCE THEIR FACILITY OPENED HERE IN 2003. WE FIRST SHARED WITH YOU AT LAST YEAR’S STATE OF THE CITY EVENT THAT TARGET WOULD BE INVESTING $50 MILLION DOLLARS TO EXPAND ITS FACILITY INTO AN UPSTREAM DISTRIBUTION CENTER, ONE OF ONLY THREE IN THE NATION, KEEPING TARGET ON THE CUTTING EDGE OF RETAIL ACTIVITY WHILE KEEPING CUSTOMERS SUPPLIED WITH THE LATEST TRENDS. WHAT WE DIDN’T KNOW AT THE TIME, HOWEVER, WAS THAT THE INITIAL ESTIMATE OF HUNDREDS OF PROPOSED NEW JOBS WAS ACTUALLY 600 NEW 21ST CENTURY JOBS WHICH HAVE NOW BEEN FILLED, GIVING US EVEN MORE REASON TO CELEBRATE!
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WITHOUT A DOUBT, THEIR DECISION WAS A TESTAMENT TO SUFFOLK’S CAPABLE WORKFORCE, STRATEGIC LOCATION AND OPERATIONAL ADVANTAGES. WHEN WE TALK ABOUT STRATEGIC LOCATION, NOT TO MENTION ADVANTAGES, I AM IMMEDIATELY REMINDED OF THE HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES THAT ABOUND IN OUR CITY. WHEN ONE HEARS THE WORD ‘HOUSING’ IN SUFFOLK, IT’S ONLY NATURAL TO THINK OF CLARISSA MCADOO, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE SUFFOLK REDEVELOPMENT & HOUSING AUTHORITY. SOON RETIRING AFTER ALMOST 20 YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE, CLARISSA, WOULD YOU PLEASE STAND AND BE RECOGNIZED? ON THE HOUSING FRONT, SUFFOLK HAS A MULTITUDE OF OPTIONS AVAILABLE, FROM AFFORDABLE SINGLEFAMILY HOUSING, TO LUXURY APARTMENTS, CONDOMINIUMS, ECLECTIC DOWNTOWN LIVING, RURAL FARMETTES OR RETIREMENT COTTAGES. SPRINKLED IN THE MIX ARE HISTORIC HOMES, FAMILY-FRIENDLY ESTABLISHED NEIGHBORHOODS, AND THE FINEST IN “COUNTRY LIVING” – YOU’LL FIND IT ALL IN SUFFOLK! ACROSS HAMPTON ROADS AND MUCH OF THE NATION THE TREND FOR MANY MILLENIALS, THE MILITARY, RETIREES AND EMPTY NESTERS IS CHOOSING TO RENT RATHER THAN OWN, FOR A MYRIAD OF INDIVIDUAL REASONS, AND LUXURY APARTMENTS ARE A HOT COMMODITY. “THE RESIDENCES AT OCTOBER” CELEBRATED A GRAND OPENING LAST FALL OF THEIR NEWLY8
CONSTRUCTED, 72 UNIT APARTMENT COMMUNITY AT THE FORMER SITE OF THE HISTORIC TIDEWATER FAIR DOWNS. THIS AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMMUNITY FOR WORKING FAMILIES IS A PORTION OF A LARGER DEVELOPMENT, CALLED “OCTOBER AT FAIR DOWNS” THAT WILL INCLUDE SINGLE-FAMILY, TOWNHOUSE AND TRIPLEX HOMES. THE CROSSINGS AT HARBOUR VIEW, A SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITY, ALSO OPENED LAST FALL AND FEATURES INDEPENDENT, ASSISTED LIVING AND MEMORY CARE APARTMENTS. ONE OF THEIR MANY NOTABLE FEATURES INCLUDES THREE ELEGANTLY APPOINTED DINING ROOMS OFFERING CHEF-PREPARED FARM-TO-TABLE DINING. WITH THE CITY’S DONATION OF A PARCEL OF LAND THIS PAST FALL IN THE LAKE KENNEDY NEIGHBORHOOD TO HABITAT FOR HUMANITY, A TOTAL OF NINE AFFORDABLE SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENCES WILL EVENTUALLY BE BUILT, BRINGING NEW HOPE TO WORKING LOW-INCOME FAMILIES WHERE DREAMS OF HOME OWNERSHIP WERE OUT OF REACH PREVIOUSLY, AND BREATHING LIFE INTO A ONCE VACANT PLOT OF LAND. THE TERRY PETERSON COMPANY IS CURRENTLY BUILDING A MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT – HAMPTON ROADS CROSSING – CONSISTING OF SINGLE FAMILY HOMES AND A MIX OF CONDOMINIUMS AND DETACHED HOMES IN A DEVELOPMENT CALLED THE RESIDENCES AT HAMPTON ROADS CROSSING IN THE UNIVERSITY BOULEVARD AREA. THE BAINBRIDGE COMPANY IS BUILDING BAINBRIDGE 3200, UP-SCALE APARTMENTS AT HAMPTON ROADS CROSSING FOLLOWING ON THE HEELS OF THEIR 9
SUCCESSFUL FIRST PHASE, CALLED BAINBRIDGE HAMPTON ROADS CROSSING, WHICH OPENED IN 2013. ALSO IN NORTHERN SUFFOLK, THE KOTARIDES DEVELOPMENT COMPANY IS BUILDING ROADS AND OTHER INFRASTRUCTURE FOR CLAREMONT AT HARBOURVIEW STATION, ANOTHER LUXURY APARTMENT COMPLEX. WAVERTON ASSOCIATES ANTICIPATES THEIR FIRST LUXURY APARTMENT BUILDING OF THEIR 224 UNIT COMPLEX AT OBICI PLACE ON NORTH MAIN STREET TO BE OPENING EARLY THIS SUMMER. TRAFFIC IMPROVEMENTS ALONG THIS CORRIDOR ARE ALSO UNDERWAY, AND THE COMMERCIAL PORTION OF THE SITE IS EXPECTED TO BECOME ACTIVE LATER THIS YEAR WITH GREATLY ANTICIPATED ADDITIONAL RETAIL DEVELOPMENT. WE REMAIN DEDICATED AND DETERMINED TO THE ONGOING EFFORTS FOR THE REVITALIZATION IN OUR HISTORIC DOWNTOWN. AS A CITY, WE ARE COMMITTED TO THE INVESTMENT OF PUBLIC DOLLARS AND SERVICES THAT HAVE ENTICED PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT, AND WE HAVE SEEN THAT STRATEGY PAY OFF. PROJECTS LIKE THE $16 MILLION DOLLAR SUFFOLK HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES BUILDING HELPED LEAD THE WAY TO OVER $6 MILLION DOLLARS IN PRIVATE INVESTMENT WITH PROJECTS LIKE EAST POINT PLAZA APARTMENTS AND THE FAIRGROUNDS RESIDENCES. THE LOCATION OF OUR NEW CITY HALL SET THE STAGE FOR THE $9 MILLION DOLLAR WASHINGTON SQUARE MIXED USE PROJECT, WHICH HAS TRANSFORMED AN ENTIRE BLOCK. 10
OUR CONTINUING GOAL TO BRING NEW LIFE AND BUSINESSES INTO OUR DOWNTOWN CORE STARTS WITH OUR PEOPLE. WE NEED MORE PEOPLE INFUSING NEW ENERGY WITH MORE BUYING POWER FOR SHOPPING, DINING AND ENJOYMENT OF OUR RICH AND HISTORICAL DOWNTOWN. AND TODAY, I AM PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THAT REINVESTMENT CONTINUES IN HISTORIC DOWNTOWN SUFFOLK AS THE MONUMENT COMPANIES AND SENSEI DEVELOPMENT ARE CURRENTLY UNDER CONTRACT AND WILL BEGIN THE REZONING PROCESS THIS SUMMER ON THE TRANSFORMATION OF THE FORMER GOLDEN PEANUT SITE LOCATED AT SARATOGA STREET AND WELLONS STREET. PLEASE JOIN ME IN WELCOMING TOM DICKEY, PRINCIPLE WITH THE MONUMENT COMPANIES, WHO JOINS US TODAY. TOM, WOULD YOU STAND PLEASE? THE FORMER GOLDEN PEANUT SITE IS OVER 10 ACRES AND WILL BE CONVERTED FROM A FORMER PEANUT STORAGE AND PROCESSING FACILITY TO A MIXED USE SITE THAT WILL FEATURE OVER 290 HISTORICALLY RENOVATED AND NEWLY CONSTRUCTED RESIDENTIAL UNITS IN HISTORIC DOWNTOWN SUFFOLK. THIS MARKS THE MONUMENT COMPANY’S AND SENSEI’S SIXTH AND LARGEST VENTURE IN DOWNTOWN SUFFOLK TO DATE. IN FACT, THEY’VE REDEVELOPED 165,000 SQUARE FEET OF COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL SPACE, NOW MANAGE OVER 150 MARKET RATE APARTMENT UNITS AND HAVE INVESTED MORE THAN $24 MILLION DOLLARS TO DATE IN OUR CORE CITY. THE SUCCESSES THEY HAVE EXPERIENCED HERE HAVE LED 11
THEM TO FIND THEIR NEXT PROJECT AT THE GOLDEN PEANUT. THE GOLDEN PEANUT ORIGINATES BACK TO THE 1890’S WITH THE FOUNDING OF THE SUFFOLK PEANUT COMPANY, WHERE IN THE 1920’S IT EMPLOYED AS MANY AS 300 EMPLOYEES. THIS PROJECT PROPOSES TO TAKE THIS CURRENTLY DILAPIDATED FACILITY AND BREATHE NEW LIFE INTO OVER 100,000 SQUARE FEET OF FORMER WAREHOUSE AND PROCESSING SPACE. THIS MULTI-PHASED PROJECT IS ESTIMATED TO COST OVER $30 MILLION DOLLARS, AND WILL BRING A TOTAL OF APPROXIMATELY 290 NEWLY RENOVATED AND NEWLY CONSTRUCTED APARTMENTS ALONG WITH FIVE TO TEN THOUSAND SQUARE FEET OF NEW OFFICE AND RETAIL SPACE TO DOWNTOWN SUFFOLK. MONUMENT AND SENSEI WILL SOON BEGIN THE FORMAL REZONING PROCESS WITH A GOAL OF SEEING ITS FIRST RESIDENTS IN LATE 2017. AS OUR STORY IN DOWNTOWN SUFFOLK CONTINUES, THIS PROJECT WILL BE A MAJOR CHAPTER THAT WELCOMES MORE NEW INVESTMENT, NEW ENERGY AND NEW LIFE INTO OUR CITY’S ORIGIN AND FOUNDATION. INDEED, HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS, AND THAT SAYING LIVES ON IN THE COMMUNITIES ACROSS OUR FINE CITY. EACH NEW RESIDENCE CONTINUES TO CULTIVATE THAT SPIRIT WHICH BRINGS A CHARACTER AND A FLAVOR TO OUR CITY THAT NO ONE ELSE IN HAMPTON ROADS CAN RIVAL.
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SUFFOLK REMAINS ONE OF THE FASTEST GROWING CITIES IN VIRGINIA, WITH POPULATION ESTIMATES FOR 2015 TOTALING OVER 90,000, AFFIRMING IT IS AN ATTRACTIVE COMMUNITY FOR LIVING AND WORKING, HIGH ON AMENITIES, A POSITIVE BUSINESS CLIMATE, AND A FRIENDLY AND INVITING ATMOSPHERE. POPULATION GROWTH WAS UP OVER 40% SINCE THE 2000 CENSUS, WITH GROWTH PROJECTED TO MORE THAN DOUBLE BY 2040. I AM PLEASED TO ADVISE THAT THE CITY OF SUFFOLK HAS BEEN WORKING WITH SUFFOLK PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO ADD SCHOOLS TO ACCOMMODATE THIS UNPRECEDENTED GROWTH. THE STRENGTH OF A SCHOOL SYSTEM CAN BE REFLECTED IN THE ABILITY TO HANDLE THE DEMAND PLACED BY AN EVER GROWING STUDENT POPULATION. PROCESSES ARE NOW UNDERWAY FOR BOTH THE NEW NORTHERN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND MIDDLE SCHOOL. BOTH PROJECTS WILL SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASE CAPACITY AND RELIEVE OVERCROWDING IN THIS RAPIDLY GROWING AREA OF OUR CITY. THE $25.9 MILLION DOLLAR NORTHERN MIDDLE SCHOOL WOULD SERVE A MINIMUM OF 600 STUDENTS WITH THE POTENTIAL TO EXPAND, WHILE THE $27.3 MILLION DOLLAR NORTHERN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WOULD PROVIDE SPACE FOR 1,000 STUDENTS. BOTH SCHOOLS ARE ON SCHEDULE TO OPEN FOR STUDENTS IN THE FALL OF 2018. THE TWO FACILITIES REPRESENT SUFFOLK CITY COUNCIL’S STRONG AND ONGOING COMMITMENT TOWARD EDUCATION AND BUILDING A CRITICAL SCHOOL INFRASTRUCTURE. THE AREA WHERE THESE SCHOOLS WILL BE BUILT CONTINUES TO BE A DESTINATION FOR FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS SEEKING AN ACTIVE 13
LIFESTYLE AND ACCESS TO AN EVER INCREASING VARIETY OF RETAIL OPPORTUNITIES, EMPLOYMENT CENTERS, ENTERTAINMENT OPTIONS AND EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES. THE ONGOING VISION FOR THIS PART OF SUFFOLK IS FOR CONTINUED GROWTH AND NEW OPPORTUNITIES IN ALL THE AFOREMENTIONED AREAS. IF I COULD MAKE ONE REQUEST FOR SUPPORT HERE, I WOULD ASK THAT OUR BUSINESS COMMUNITY MAKE SURE THEY ARE PARTICIPATING WITH LOCAL AND STATE EDUCATION PARTNERS. BUSINESS INVOLVEMENT IS PARAMOUNT TO THE FUTURE OF OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM. I KNOW IN SUFFOLK WE HAVE BUSINESS ADVISORY BOARDS AT SUFFOLK PUBLIC SCHOOLS AS WELL AS AT PAUL D. CAMP COMMUNITY COLLEGE. YOUR INPUT AND INVOLVEMENT MEANS THE WORLD TO THESE EDUCATORS AND TO THE FUTURE OF OUR COMMUNITY. WHEN SCHOOLS, FAMILIES, BUSINESSES AND COMMUNITY GROUPS WORK TOGETHER TO SUPPORT LEARNING, CHILDREN TEND TO DO BETTER IN SCHOOL, STAY IN SCHOOL LONGER, AND LIKE SCHOOL MORE. WITH SUFFOLK PUBLIC SCHOOL’S MOTTO OF “EVERY CHILD A STAR”, WE CAN ALL DO OUR PART TO HELP ALL STUDENTS SHINE! I’D ALSO LIKE TO TAKE THIS TIME TO CONGRATULATE DR. DERAN WHITNEY, WHO HAS JUST BEEN NAMED REGIONAL SUPERINTENDENT OF THE YEAR BY THE VIRGINIA ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS, AND ASK THAT HE WOULD PLEASE STAND. HE WAS ONE OF EIGHT REGION TWO FINALISTS CONSIDERED FOR THE ORGANIZATION’S STATEWIDE RECOGNITION, AND WE COULDN’T BE MORE PROUD OF THIS OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT! 14
ASSISTING AND “POLISHING” OUR STUDENT STARS ON A DAILY BASIS ARE DEDICATED TEACHERS, AND I’D LIKE TO RECOGNIZE SUFFOLK PUBLIC SCHOOLS’ 2016 CITYWIDE TEACHER OF THE YEAR, MICHELE WAGGONER, OAKLAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL’S LIBRARY MEDIA SPECIALIST, AND ASK THAT SHE PLEASE STAND AND BE RECOGNIZED. MICHELE WAS RECOGNIZED FOR HER PASSION AND CREATIVITY, AND SHARES HER LOVE OF READING WHILE CREATING LEARNING EXPERIENCES THROUGH SPECIAL CELEBRATIONS. MICHELE, THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO FOR OUR YOUNGEST CITIZENS! THE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE FOR OUR CHILDREN ALSO REFLECT OUR BELIEF THAT MAINTAINING OUR LEADERSHIP IN RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY IS CRUCIAL NOT ONLY TO OUR CITY’S SUCCESS, BUT TO AMERICA’S SUCCESS. IN RESPONSE TO DEMAND FROM HIGH-TECH COMPANIES AND LOCAL WAREHOUSING INDUSTRIES LOCATING IN SUFFOLK, I AM PLEASED TO ADVISE THAT OUR SCHOOLS – INCLUDING THE PRUDEN CENTER FOR TECHNOLOGY AND PAUL D. CAMP COMMUNITY COLLEGE – OFFER A WIDE-RANGING NUMBER OF COURSES INCLUDING GEOSPATIAL TECHNOLOGY AND A TWO-YEAR MODELING AND SIMULATION SUPPORT SPECIALIST TRAINING PROGRAM. THESE COURSES ARE IN ADDITION TO THE POPULAR LOGISTICS MANAGEMENT AND WAREHOUSE AND DISTRIBUTION CAREER STUDIES – NOT TO MENTION THE TRADITIONAL CURRICULUM – ALL OF WHICH DEFINITELY BENEFIT STUDENTS IN THE QUEST FOR EMPLOYMENT IN OUR AREA’S FASTEST GROWING FIELDS. 15
A COMMUNITY IS ABOUT MORE THAN JUST ECONOMIC GROWTH. IT’S ABOUT GIVING PEOPLE PRIDE IN THEIR CITY AND THE DESIRE TO LIVE AND RAISE THEIR CHILDREN HERE. GENERATIONS OF FAMILIES HAVE CALLED SUFFOLK HOME FOR GOOD REASON! WHEN IT COMES TO QUALITY OF LIFE, WE’RE LEADING THE WAY, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO ENHANCED HEALTHCARE. THE BON SECOURS HEALTH SYSTEM BROKE GROUND ON BON SECOURS HARBOUR VIEW MEDICAL PLAZA THIS PAST FALL. THIS LATEST MEDICAL FACILITY BEING CONSTRUCTED AT THEIR CAMPUS WILL HOUSE THE BON SECOURS CANCER INSTITUTE, BRINGING COMPREHENSIVE OUTPATIENT SERVICES TO THE CITIZENS OF SUFFOLK AND WESTERN HAMPTON ROADS. SCHEDULED TO OPEN THIS FALL, MICHAEL KERNER, CEO OF THE BON SECOURS HAMPTON ROADS HEALTH SYSTEM, NOTED “THE BON SECOURS MEDICAL PLAZA WILL CREATE A COMFORTABLE AND EFFICIENT ENVIRONMENT FOR CARE, CONSULTATION AND TREATMENT.” I’M ALSO PLEASED TO ADVISE THAT BON SECOURS HEALTH CENTER AT HARBOUR VIEW’S EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN REACCREDITED BY THE SOCIETY OF CARDIOVASCULAR PATIENT CARE AS A CHEST PAIN CENTER, MAKING IT ONE OF ONLY TWO FREESTANDING EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTS IN THE NATION WITH THIS ACCREDITATION. SENTARA HEALTHCARE CONTINUED THEIR EXPANSION OF PATIENT-CENTERED, MULTI-DISCIPLINARY SERVICES AT THE SENTARA OBICI AND SENTARA BELLEHARBOUR CAMPUSES WITH CAPITAL INVESTMENTS 16
OF OVER $6 MILLION DOLLARS IN EQUIPMENT, SQUARE FOOTAGE AND 190 NEW JOBS. THE EASTERN VIRGINIA MEDICAL SCHOOL HAS EXPANDED THE EVMS STRELITZ DIABETES CENTER, OPENING ITS FIRST SATELLITE CLINIC IN SUFFOLK. THE GOAL OF THE NEW EXPANSION IS TO BE A RESOURCE FOR THE PEOPLE OF WESTERN TIDEWATER, RECEIVING FUNDING FROM THE OBICI HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION. A NAME SYNONYMOUS WITH GIVING, THE OBICI HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION HAS RECENTLY CELEBRATED A DECADE OF COMMUNITY HEALTH IMPROVEMENT, AND HAVE ALSO ANNOUNCED A CHANGE IN LEADERSHIP. DURING THE PAST 10 YEARS THEY’VE PROVIDED ALMOST $35 MILLION DOLLARS IN GRANT AWARDS TO 82 AGENCIES SERVING ALMOST 362,000 PARTICIPANTS. WE’D ASK THAT THOSE AFFILIATED WITH THIS FOUNDATION – PAST AND PRESENT – AS WELL AS THE SUFFOLK PARTNERSHIP FOR A HEALTHY COMMUNITY AND HEALTHY PEOPLE/HEALTHY SUFFOLK, PLEASE STAND AND BE ACKNOWLEDGED. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO RECOGNIZE DELEGATE CHRIS JONES, WHO’S BUSINESS – BENNETT’S CREEK PHARMACY, JUST CELEBRATED THEIR THIRTIETH ANNIVERSARY AT THEIR BRIDGE ROAD LOCATION. CHRIS, COULD YOU STAND PLEASE AND BE RECOGNIZED? AS AN INDEPENDENTLY-OWNED PHARMACY THEY’RE KNOWN FOR THEIR FRIENDLY CUSTOMER SERVICE AND TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCES. CHRIS IS ALSO KNOWN IN RICHMOND FOR HIS NO-NONSENSE APPROACH TO GOVERNMENT, AND WE THANK HIM FOR HIS HARD WORK AS CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS 17
COMMITTEE AND AS A MEMBER OF THE HAMPTON ROADS TRANSPORTATION ACCOUNTABILITY COMMISSION. HIS MOST RECENT EFFORTS INCLUDED PROHIBITING TOLLING ON EXISTING ROADS WITHOUT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY’S APPROVAL, AND WE COULDN’T BE MORE SUPPORTIVE AND APPRECIATIVE. THERE IS NO MORE IMPORTANT INDICATOR OF A CITY’S LIVABILITY AND ABILITY TO ATTRACT NEW ECONOMIC GROWTH THAN SAFETY. WE CAN PROUDLY STATE THAT IN SUFFOLK, NOT ONLY ARE WE FORTUNATE TO HAVE THE VERY BEST PUBLIC SAFETY PROFESSIONALS IN THE REGION, BUT THEY ALSO ARE PREPARED WITH THE LATEST EQUIPMENT AND TECHNOLOGIES – ALL DESIGNED TO KEEP OUR CITIZENS SAFE. NOWHERE IS THE COMMITMENT TO THE COMMUNITY OF OUR PUBLIC SAFETY PROFESSIONALS MORE EVIDENT THAN IN OUR NATIONAL NIGHT OUT CELEBRATIONS, OR WHAT WE REFER TO AS OUR “GOING AWAY PARTIES FOR CRIME”! IN FACT, THE ONLY THING OUTPACING OUR GROWTH AND JOBS NUMBERS IS THE EXCITEMENT THAT OUR CITIZENS, COMMUNITIES AND BUSINESSES HAVE EXHIBITED IN COMING TOGETHER IN OUR AWARD WINNING CRIME PREVENTION AWARENESS EVENTS THAT HAVE RECEIVED NATIONAL RECOGNITION FOR THE LAST 10 YEARS! I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DIDN’T ALSO GIVE SPECIAL THANKS TO SENTARA OBICI HOSPITAL, WHO HAS BECOME A MAJOR COMMUNITY CHAMPION OF THIS EVENT, FOR THEY KNOW THAT AN INVOLVED AND ACTIVE COMMUNITY IS ALSO A HEALTHY COMMUNITY. 18
IN SUFFOLK, PUBLIC SAFETY ISN’T A SPECTATOR SPORT. INVOLVED, ACTIVE NEIGHBORHOODS ARE ESSENTIAL TO THE QUALITY OF LIFE THAT WE ENJOY, AND ARE THE RESULT OF OUR CITIZENS, POLICE, FIRE AND SAFETY PERSONNEL WORKING TOGETHER TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. EVENTS SUCH AS NATIONAL NIGHT OUT ONLY PROVE THAT WE HAVEN’T LOST OUR “HOMETOWN CHARM”, AND TRULY REINFORCE THE FACT THAT WE CAN PROUDLY SAY THAT NEIGHBORS STILL LOOK OUT FOR NEIGHBORS, AND OLD-FASHIONED VALUES LIVE IN THE HEARTS OF OUR CITIZENS. ADDING TO OUR QUALITY OF LIFE IS A VAST ARRAY OF RESTAURANTS AND AN ABUNDANCE OF SHOPPING OPPORTUNITIES. OUR “BIG SCISSORS” HAVE CERTAINLY GOTTEN A WORKOUT RECENTLY, AS WE’RE CUTTING RIBBONS AND WELCOMING NEW BUSINESSES ON ALMOST A WEEKLY BASIS! AN ISSUE STRONGLY TIED TO QUALITY OF LIFE ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH IS TRANSPORTATION. AS CHAIR OF THE HAMPTON ROADS TRANSPORTATION PLANNING ORGANIZATION, I KNOW FIRSTHAND THE ISSUES THAT WE FACE AS A REGION AND AM THRILLED THAT THREE SUFFOLK PROJECTS HAVE BEEN RECOMMENDED TO RECEIVE A NEW STREAM OF FUNDING, INCLUDING THE WIDENING OF A PORTION OF ROUTE 58/HOLLAND ROAD, IMPROVEMENTS TO THE INTERSECTION OF BRIDGE AND SHOULDERS HILL ROADS, AND IMPROVEMENTS TO THE PARK-AND-RIDE LOT OFF GODWIN BOULEVARD NEAR THE BYPASS. SPEAKING OF ROADWAYS, OUR NEW LIBRARY2GO VEHICLE, SEEN IN OUR VIDEO, RECENTLY HIT THE STREET 19
MAKING ITS PUBLIC DEBUT AS PART OF OUR “LIBRARIES TRANSFORM” PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGN TO HIGHLIGHT THE TRANSFORMATIVE NATURE OF OUR LIBRARIES AND TO ELEVATE THE CRITICAL ROLE LIBRARIES PLAY IN THE DIGITAL AGE. SUFFOLK IS ONE OF ONLY TEN LIBRARY SYSTEMS NATIONWIDE PARTICIPATING IN THIS PROGRAM FUNDED BY THE BILL AND MELINDA GATES FOUNDATION. OUR LIBRARIES ARE DOING THEIR PART TO CLOSE THE DIGITAL DIVIDE AND LEVEL THE PLAYING FIELD BY PROVIDING FREE ACCESS TO INFORMATION AND TECHNOLOGIES THAT MANY IN COMMUNITIES WOULD BE HARD PRESSED TO FIND ELSEWHERE. WITH THE OFFICIAL RETIREMENT OF SUFFOLK’S BOOKMOBILE AFTER 36 YEARS OF SERVICE, THIS HIGH-TECH MOBILE LIBRARY WILL PROVIDE NOT ONLY BOOKS, BUT FLAT-SCREEN TELEVISIONS, WIRELESS COMPUTERS, CHARGING STATIONS FOR VISITORS’ ELECTRONIC DEVICES, A 3-D PRINTER AND OTHER TECHNOLOGIES IN DEMAND IN THIS DIGITAL AGE. IN A NUTSHELL, OUR LIBRARIES CONTRIBUTE TO THE EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT, ENTREPRENEURSHIP, ENGAGEMENT AND EMPOWERMENT OF OUR CITIZENS. OUR QUALITY OF LIFE IS ONLY SURPASSED BY THE QUALITY OF OUR CITIZENS. PEOPLE LIKE MY DEAR FRIEND BILLY CHOREY, NAMED SUFFOLK’S FIRST CITIZEN OF 2015. UNFORTUNATELY, HE WAS UNABLE TO JOIN US TODAY, BUT I WANTED TO TAKE A MOMENT TO RECOGNIZE THIS MOST DESERVING INDIVIDUAL. OWNER OF CHOREY & ASSOCIATES REALTY, BILLY IS ALSO ACTIVE ON MANY BOARDS, FOUNDATIONS AND COMMISSIONS, BUT HIS ACTIONS AWAY FROM THE WORLD 20
OF REAL ESTATE AND HIS COUNTLESS CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE COMMUNITY IS WHAT LED TO HIS NOMINATION DUE TO HIS, AND I QUOTE, “SIGNIFICANT LEADERSHIP THROUGH HIS TIME, TALENTS AND EFFORTS IN ORDER TO MAKE SUFFOLK A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE”. WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT QUALITY OF LIFE ISSUES, YOU’RE TALKING ABOUT INDIVIDUALS HAVING CHOICES. IT IS EVIDENT THAT CHOICES ABOUND IN SUFFOLK. BUT EVEN MORE IMPORTANT IS THE SPIRIT OF CARING FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND THE OLD SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY THAT PERMEATES EVERY PART OF THE CITY AND DEFINES WHAT QUALITY OF LIFE TRULY MEANS. IT HAS BEEN SAID THAT, “WHAT WE DO DURING OUR WORKING HOURS DETERMINES WHAT WE HAVE; WHAT WE DO IN OUR LEISURE HOURS DETERMINES WHAT WE ARE.” WHAT WE ARE IS A CITY WITH LIMITLESS OPPORTUNITIES. WHETHER YOU’RE A LOVER OF FESTIVALS, HISTORY, WILDLIFE, THE ARTS, OR RECREATION – THERE’S SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE IN SUFFOLK! IF IT’S A TRADITIONAL “WALK IN THE PARK” OR SOMETHING MORE ADVENTUROUS YOU’RE LOOKING FOR, CHECK OUT OUR OVER 1,900 ACRES OF PICTURESQUE AND INVITING PARKS AND 8,000 ACRES OF PRISTINE LAKES AND MILES OF RIVERFRONT. SPEAKING OF ADVENTUROUS, FOR A TRUE ADRENALINE RUSH, CHECK OUT SKYDIVE SUFFOLK, WHO HELPED ME MAKE IT TO TODAY’S EVENT ON TIME AS YOU SAW IN THE VIDEO, AND WHO HAS JUST CELEBRATED 55 YEARS IN BUSINESS OFFERING TANDEM SKYDIVES, 21
SKYDIVING LESSONS, AND JUMPING FOR EXPERIENCED LICENSED SKYDIVERS. IN FACT, THE FACILITIES AT SKYDIVE SUFFOLK, LOCATED AT THE SUFFOLK EXECUTIVE AIRPORT, SUPPORT SKYDIVING TRAINING OPERATIONS FOR MULTIPLE BRANCHES OF THE UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES. NOT TO BE MISSED IS THE AWARD-WINNING SEABOARD COASTLINE TRAIL WHICH OPENED THIS FALL IN THE HISTORIC DRIVER VILLAGE, PROVIDING NOT ONLY A RECREATIONAL BENEFIT FOR LOCAL FAMILIES AND VISITORS FROM SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES, BUT ALSO AN ECONOMIC ASSET FOR THE VILLAGE. I’M ALSO PLEASED TO ADVISE THAT DUE TO ADDITIONAL GRANT FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF $75,000 DOLLARS FROM OUR FRIENDS AT THE OBICI HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION, WORK IS ONGOING AND IN THE NEAR FUTURE WE’LL BE OPENING THE SHOULDERS HILL ROAD SECTION OF THE TRAIL CONNECTING WALKERS AND CYCLING ENTHUSIASTS TO CHESAPEAKE! THEY’VE ALSO GENEROUSLY PROVIDED THAT SAME DOLLAR AMOUNT TO ADD A TRAIL AT LAKE KENNEDY PARK. IN THE WORDS OF HIPPOCRATES – AND I CAN PERSONALLY ATTEST TO THIS -- WALKING IS MAN’S BEST MEDICINE! OUR CITIZENS HAVE ALSO SHARED WITH US THEIR DESIRES FOR MORE ACCESS TO OUR LOCAL WATERWAYS, AND WE’VE LISTENED AND DELIVERED! THE SLEEPY HOLE PARK PIER AND CANOE AND KAYAK LAUNCH OPENED JUST A FEW WEEKS AGO PROVIDING PUBLIC ACCESS TO THE BEAUTIFUL NANSEMOND RIVER, WITH A FULLY A-D-A ACCESSIBLE KAYAK LAUNCH AND FISHING PLATFORM TO ACCOMMODATE FISHERMEN OF ALL LEVELS. THIS WAS AN EFFORT YEARS IN THE MAKING AS SUFFOLK PARKS & RECREATION STAFF TIRELESSLY 22
WORKED WITH MEMBERS OF THE SUFFOLK RIVER HERITAGE, NANSEMOND RIVER PRESERVATION ALLIANCE AND NATIONAL PARK SERVICE TO BRING THE 361 FOOT PIER TO COMPLETION. CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION IS A SIMILAR AD-A COMPLIANT CANOE AND KAYAK LAUNCH AT CONSTANT’S WHARF PARK & MARINA, LOCATED JUST BEHIND US HERE AT THE LOVELY HILTON GARDEN INN – SUFFOLK RIVERFRONT. THESE ENVIRONMENTAL SPORTS FACILITIES WILL ALSO JOIN BENNETT’S CREEK PARK AS PART OF THE CAPTAIN JOHN SMITH CHESAPEAKE NATIONAL HISTORIC TRAIL, HIGHLIGHTING WATERWAYS HE FIRST EXPLORED MORE THAN 400 YEARS AGO. SPEAKING OF EXPLORING, HERE YOU CAN DISCOVER THE FLORA, FAUNA, WILDLIFE AND HISTORY THAT ABOUND IN THE 111,000 ACRE GREAT DISMAL SWAMP. YOU CAN ALSO PARTAKE OF A WORLD-CLASS MEAL AT ONE OF OUR RENOWNED RESTAURANTS, ENJOY A T.G.I.F. CONCERT OR DAZZLING FIREWORKS DISPLAY, OR TAKE IN A PERFORMANCE OR CLASS AT THE CULTURAL ARTS CENTER OR JURIED EXHIBITION AT THE SUFFOLK ART GALLERY. THE OPPORTUNITIES ARE ENDLESS! TAKING A REGIONAL APPROACH TO THE ARTS IS LINDA BUNCH, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE SUFFOLK ART LEAGUE, LOCATED AT THE SUFFOLK ART GALLERY, AND I’D ASK THAT SHE STAND AND BE RECOGNIZED. LINDA HAS MADE A CAREER OF ADVANCING THE ARTS IN SUFFOLK, AND RECEIVED AN ALLI AWARD FROM THE CULTURAL ALLIANCE OF HAMPTON ROADS FOR HER COMMITMENT TO THE ARTS NOT ONLY LOCALLY, BUT ALSO DUE TO HER IMPACT ON THE REGIONAL LEVEL WITH 23
HER INAUGURAL “7 CITIES, 1 BOOK” SERIES OF EVENTS. LINDA, THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED EFFORTS BRINGING THE ARTS TO OUR CITY THESE LAST 28 YEARS. ANOTHER PERSON WHO HAS MADE A TREMENDOUS IMPACT IN OUR CITY – ESPECIALLY IN YOUTH ATHLETICS – IS KENNY BANKS, II, RECIPIENT OF THE NATIONAL YOUTH SPORTS COACHES ASSOCIATION YOUTH SPORTS COACH OF THE YEAR AWARD FOR 2015, AND I’D ASK THAT HE STAND AND BE RECOGNIZED. THE SUFFOLK DEPARTMENT OF PARKS & RECREATION ATHLETIC PROGRAM SERVES OVER 600 YOUTH-ATHLETES IN A VARIETY OF SPORTS, AND ITS SUCCESS RELIES HEAVILY ON THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF VOLUNTEER COACHES. KENNY HAS BECOME ONE OF THE DEPARTMENT’S MOST VALUABLE VOLUNTEER ASSETS, AND WE ARE PROUD OF HIS NATIONAL AWARD AND TO HAVE HIM COACHING IN OUR COMMUNITY. AS ONE OF VIRGINIA’S FASTEST GROWING CITIES, WE KNOW IT IS IMPERATIVE FOR US TO KEEP PACE WITH THE EVER-GROWING NEEDS OF OUR CITIZENS, AND OUR RECREATIONAL, LEISURE AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES ARE ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT GIVEN TODAY’S HECTIC LIFESTYLES. IT’S OBVIOUS WE’RE SERIOUS ABOUT FUN IN SUFFOLK, AND WE TRULY OFFER SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE! THERE IS NO BETTER TIME TO EXPLORE, MAKE MEMORIES AND SHARE YOUR ADVENTURES WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS! WE ARE ALSO EXTREMELY SERIOUS ABOUT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. WORKERS AND EMPLOYERS 24
MOVING FORWARD TOGETHER. THAT’S OUR ECONOMIC VISION, AND IT’S A PROVEN SUCCESS. I’D LIKE TO NOW INTRODUCE YOU TO THE MAN BEHIND THAT GREAT VISION, OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR, KEVIN HUGHES, AND I’D ASK THAT HE AND HIS AMAZING TEAM ALSO STAND AND BE RECOGNIZED. IN THIS YEAR’S ECONOMIC ACTIVITY REPORT, WHICH IS PROUDLY MAKING ITS OFFICIAL “DEBUT” TODAY AND CAN BE FOUND IN YOUR GIFT BAGS, YOU’LL NOTE THAT WE HAVE A TOTAL OF 91 NEW AND EXPANDING BUSINESSES WHICH OPENED IN 2015, BRINGING 1,868 NEW JOBS AND ALMOST $190 MILLION DOLLARS IN CAPITAL INVESTMENT. THAT INCLUDES MORE THAN 1,154,000 ADDITIONAL SQUARE FEET IN NEW AND EXPANDING BUSINESSES. THOSE ARE NUMBERS TO BE APPLAUDED, AND FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT ARE KEEPING COUNT, THAT’S 1,420 MORE JOBS THAN EVEN LAST YEAR’S NUMBERS! MOST IMPORTANTLY, THERE IS A HUMAN COMPONENT BEHIND THOSE NUMBERS THAT IS IMMEASURABLE WHEN YOU CONSIDER THE IMPACT THAT A JOB HAS NOT ONLY ON THE INDIVIDUAL AND THEIR ABILITY TO LEAD A SUCCESSFUL LIFE, BUT ALSO THEIR FAMILY AND THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY. AS THE MAYOR OF SUFFOLK I EXPERIENCE THE JOY OF WELCOMING THESE NEW BUSINESSES TO OUR CITY AND SEEING OUR EXISTING BUSINESSES EXPAND AND CREATE JOBS FOR MY FELLOW CITIZENS. FOUR YEARS AGO WE COMPETED TO KEEP THE LIPTON TEA PROCESSING FACILITY AND THEIR 300 JOBS IN 25
SUFFOLK. THEY HAD TO INVEST OVER $100 MILLION DOLLARS IN NEW EQUIPMENT AND THE PARENT COMPANY, UNILEVER, DID A SITE SEARCH AND MADE THE SUFFOLK FACILITY PROVE THAT IT WAS IN THE RIGHT PLACE VERSUS KENTUCKY, SOUTH CAROLINA OR SOUTH AMERICA. AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT WAS THE WORKFORCE OF SUFFOLK THAT THEY COULDN’T LEAVE. THEIR EMPLOYEES WERE SO VALUABLE TO THEIR PRODUCT THAT IT WOULD HAVE BEEN TOO BIG A RISK TO TRY AND START SOMEWHERE ELSE. LIPTON CELEBRATED THEIR SIXTIETH ANNIVERSARY IN SUFFOLK AND MARKED 125 YEARS AS A BRAND. I GUESS YOU COULD SAY WE SUIT THEM TO A TEA! I HAVE SERVED ON THE VIRGINIA WORKFORCE COUNCIL WHICH HAS GIVEN ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO NOT ONLY SEE AND LEARN ABOUT THE TRAINING NEEDS OF OUR BUSINESSES, BUT TO ALSO LEARN ABOUT THE PROGRAMS AND BEST PRACTICES AROUND THE STATE. I AM PROUD THAT ONE OF THE MOST SUCESSFUL PROGRAMS IS LOCATED HERE IN SUFFOLK. WE STARTED THE SUFFOLK WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT CENTER APPROXIMATELY TEN YEARS AGO IN DOWNTOWN SUFFOLK. THE OPERATION SERVES AS A NERVE CENTER FOR OUR BUSINESS COMMUNITY IN ORDER TO ENSURE THEIR EMPLOYMENT NEEDS ARE BEING FILLED. AND IN ORDER TO FILL THOSE NEEDS, WE HAVE COLLECTED MANY POTENTIAL WORKFORCE AGENCIES WITHIN OUR OFFICES THAT ARE READY TO COLLABORATE AND PROBLEM-SOLVE FOR OUR BUSINESSES. TODAY WE HAVE TEN DIFFERENT AGENCIES WORKING OUT OF OUR CENTER. IT IS ALSO A LOCATION WITH A PUBLIC 26
COMPUTER LAB SO THOSE IN THE JOB MARKET CAN SEARCH, APPLY AND TEST FOR JOB OPENINGS. THIS PAST YEAR ALSO SAW US ATTRACTING MORE RETAIL DEVELOPMENT AND NATIONAL BRAND NAMES ALONG-SIDE LOCALLY-OWNED SHOPS IN OUR HARBOUR VIEW, GODWIN BOULEVARD AND DOWNTOWN AREAS SERVING OUR GROWING AND THRIVING RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITIES. IN FACT, HARBOUR VIEW’S STRATEGIC LOCATION AND EASY ACCESSIBILITY HELPED MAKE IT ONE OF THE NEWEST BOOMING RETAIL DESTINATIONS IN THE REGION. WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO IT, RETAIL FOLLOWS ROOFTOPS. THIS SIMPLE, CONCISE PHRASE MEANS THAT BUSINESS OWNERS WANT TO KNOW WHERE THEY CAN FIND A SUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF CONSUMER SPENDING AND DEMAND POTENTIAL TO MEET THE LEVEL OF SALES THEY DEEM NECESSARY FOR THEIR BUSINESSES TO BE SUCCESSFUL, AND THEY’RE CERTAINLY FINDING THAT SUCCESS IN SUFFOLK! THROUGH PLANNING, COLLABORATION, EXPERIENCE AND VISION, SUFFOLK POSTED ANOTHER STELLAR YEAR WITH MORE THAN 24 GRAND OPENING CELEBRATIONS. WITH SUCH A FAVORABLE BUSINESS CLIMATE, IT IS UNDENIABLE THAT SUFFOLK IS LEADING THE WAY. LARGE OR SMALL, FAMILY-OWNED OR WITH INTERNATIONAL TIES, THE BUSINESSES THAT HAVE INVESTED IN SUFFOLK KNOW ONE THING FOR CERTAIN, MODERN LIFE IS ALL ABOUT CHANGE. WHAT MATTERS IS HOW YOU EMBRACE IT. 27
THE DISTINCTIONS OUR CITY HAS EARNED IN RECENT YEARS IS THE PRODUCT OF HARD WORK, DETERMINATION AND TEAMWORK IN ORDER TO BUILD SUFFOLK INTO AN ATTRACTIVE PLACE FOR BUSINESS. IN FACT, IT IS A TRIBUTE TO THE PERSEVERANCE, PLANNING AND COLLABORATION OF AN ENTIRE COMMUNITY – PRIVATE CITIZENS AND PUBLIC SERVANTS, BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY, MILITARY AND CIVILIAN – ALL WHO VALUE THE REWARDS OF HARD WORK AND SHARE HOPES FOR AN EVEN BRIGHTER, MORE PROMISING FUTURE FOR OUR BELOVED CITY. IN CLOSING, I WOULD ASK EVERYONE TO COME ON OVER AND JOIN ME IN THE VISION WE HAVE FOR OUR CITY. TO COMMIT TO EACH OTHER THAT, JUST AS THE LYRICS WE HEARD IN OUR VIDEO NOTED, WE’LL WORK TOGETHER. YES, WE’LL BUILD OUR DREAMS TOGETHER, AND WE’LL LEAVE NO ONE BEHIND. THIS IS THE VISION OF COMMUNITY THAT SUFFOLK, AT ITS BEST, HAS ALWAYS BEEN ABOUT. HERE AND NOW, THIS IS OUR TIME! THANK YOU, AND GOD BLESS! BRYAN STEPHENS, PRESIDENT & CEO HAMPTON ROADS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TO PROVIDE ADJOURNMENT AND INVITATION TO DESSERT RECEPTION.
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