City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: NOVEMBER 8, 2017
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MARK B. JINKS, CITY MANAGER /s/
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of Participation in Regional GO Virginia Economic Development Grant Applications.
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ISSUE: Grant applications to the Virginia Initiative for Growth & Opportunity (GO Virginia).
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
1. Endorse Alexandria's participation in the four regional economic development project proposals identified by the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership (AEDP); and
2. Authorize the City Manager to submit documents in support of four grant applications for the purpose of implementing regional economic development projects and enter into any agreements required to receive GO Virginia funds should any of the project proposals be approved by the GO Virginia regional and statewide oversight boards.
BACKGROUND: In 2015, recognizing the changing economic forces impacting Virginia, leaders from the business, education, and government sectors began seeking support for a new approach to economic and workforce development to diversify and strengthen Virginia's economy. The following year, their efforts led to the enactment of three pieces of legislation establishing the Virginia Initiative for Growth & Opportunity, or "GO Virginia". The main goal of GO Virginia is to foster private-sector growth and job creation through state incentives that encourage regional collaboration among jurisdictions in partnership with the private sector and higher education institutions. To support GO Virginia, the General Assembly approved funding for the Virginia Growth and Opportunity Fund to provide competitive economic development grants on a statewide and regional basis.
GO Virginia's implementation is led by the Virginia Growth & Opportunity Board, a 24-member statewide policy board ...
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