August 2013

RICHMOND – Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell and Alaska Governor Sean Parnell jointly announced today the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish a formal operating relationship between the Virginia Commercial Spaceflight Authority (VCSFA) and the Alaska Aerospace Corporation (AAC). Speaking today about the announcement, Governor McDonnell said, “The Commonwealth’s partnership with Alaska will…

The conclusion in this matter is yes, Accomack County can provide funds to fire companies who are no longer non-profit. Additional questions regarding how long treasurer’s records should be kept and how the county can release information under the Freedom of Information Act were also asked. For full details and answers to the additional questions,…

The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) has released a study on Trends in Higher Education Funding, Enrollment and Student Costs. For details, please read the report. The key findings are listed below.

Proves Export-Blocking Chinese Duties Unjustified Under WTO Rules United States Trade Representative Michael Froman, Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker, and Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced today that the United States won a major case at the World Trade Organization (WTO) on behalf of American chicken producers, proving that China’s imposition of higher duties on…

by Erin Kelly | August 15, 2013 Five high-school and college students from Virginia’s Eastern Shore had the opportunity to pursue marine science research this summer at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science’s Eastern Shore Laboratory in Wachapreague.

– Commonwealth Ranked Number One for Consumer Friendliness of Wine Laws – RICHMOND – It’s official: Virginia is for wine lovers. In a report released this week by the American Wine Consumer Coalition (AWCC) Virginia earned an A+ and was ranked number one for its consumer friendliness when it comes to wine laws.

– VA Tourism Grant program to generate nearly $4 million in marketing initiatives – RICHMOND – Governor Bob McDonnell announced today that nearly $1 million in matching grant funds will be awarded to 54 local tourism initiatives as part of Virginia Tourism Corporation’s Marketing Leverage Grant program. The grants help local and regional tourism entities…

– Over past decade Virginia’s oyster harvest increased ten-fold; Dockside value increased from $575,000 to more than $8.75 million – Last year’s harvest largest since 1987; Preliminary estimates predict continued growth this year. Virginia is the largest East Coast producer and the nation’s third largest overall producer of marine products

– Continued Growth Push Sales Across the Half-Million Case Benchmark – As Administration Puts Focus on International Marketing Efforts, Export Sales Increase By More Than 74% ***Sales Up More Than 23% Since FY10*** MACHIPONGO – During a visit to the Eastern Shore’s Chatham Vineyards on his “This Commonwealth of Opportunity” tour, Governor Bob McDonnell today…

Deal Facilitated During Governor’s Asian Trade Mission in April; Further Solidifies China’s Position as Virginia’s Top Ag Export Customer ***Virginia Agricultural Exports Hit Record High in 2012 of $2.6 Billion*** CHESAPEAKE – Governor Bob McDonnell announced today that Perdue Agribusiness, Incorporated, which owns and operates a major deep-water export terminal for grains and oilseeds in…