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March 2011 E-Newsletter Volume 1, Issue 3 |
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Hoopstown USA! The City Receives National Attention During NCAA Tournament  The City of Richmond is one of only four cities in the country to ever have two schools in the "Sweet 16" of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, and the first city to do so since 2007. To honor Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Richmond teams, the City, in partnership with Venture Richmond, VCU and UR, held a pep rally along the Canal Walk at the Turning Basin. Mayor Jones, VCU President Dr. Michael Rao, and UR President Dr. Edward Ayers, joined in the festivities as hundreds of people came out to support their teams and their city. Click here to view a Richmond Times Dispatch video of the pep rally. The momentum continued as VCU won in overtime against Florida State University on Friday, March 25, to advance to the Elite Eight. On Sunday, March 27, VCU beat the University of Kansas, ranked second nationally, to advance to the Final Four - for the first time in the university's history. Click here for more coverage from Richmond BizSense, which has compiled their list of must-read articles from the national media. |
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Mayor Jones Makes Tourism a Priority
 On March 9, 2011, Mayor Jones held a press conference at ECD's office at historic Main Street Station to announce the creation of a tourism commission tasked to focus on three issues: how to manage the tourist experience, how to expand and support local attractions, and how to market the city in a way that continally attracts visitors. To view the NBC Channel 12 News report, please click here.
One of the members of the tourism commission, Christy Coleman, Director of The American Civil War Center, is featured this month in our media library. Click here to view the full interview with Ms. Coleman on why Richmond is such a significant tourism destination. On April 16, 2011, The American Civil War Center will honor Civil War Day and Emacipation Day at Historic Tredegar through a series of events. Click here for more details. |
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Banking Giant JPMorgan Chase Opens Downtown Richmond Office  On March 6th, JP Morgan Chase announced the opening of a new office downtown at Three James Center. The local team moved downtown to pursue the region's mid and large-sized firms to grow its commercial banking business. The team will focus on companies with more than $250 million in annual revenue. The company has 300 employees in Virginia, including an operations center for its auto finance and home lending business. JP Morgan Chase expects further expansion that could include Richmond. To read the full Richmond Biz Sense article, please click here. |
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Small Businesses Succeed with City Revitalization Incentives
Two City of Richmond small businesses have been featured recently in local press. Refinery, Inc., a woman's clothing consignment boutique, located on Northside's Bellevue Avenue, opened in the summer of 2008 with financial assistance provided through the City of Richmond's CARE program. Click here to read the Richmond Biz Sense featured article and interview with the owner, Linda O'Neal.
A recent video feature by NBC 12 News highlights the revitalization ocurring in Manchester along Hull Street. The video highlights Papa's Pizza, a small business that opened in Manchester in March, 2010 with assistance through the City of Richmond's CARE and Enterprise Zone programs. Click here to view the video.
To learn more about the City of Richmond incentive and Business First programs, please click here. |
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Richmond Slave Trail Markers Ready for Civil War Sesquentennial
 On Sunday, April 10th, 2011 at 3:00 PM, 17 new trail markers and signage will be in place around Richmond's Shockoe Slip. Two years in the making, the Richmond Slave Trail will serve to illustrate the experience of slaves at each specific spot with pictures and explanations. The two and a half mile trail begins at Ancarrow's Landing just south of Shockoe Slip and the river and ends at First African Baptist Church on Broad Street. To read the NBC 12 News article, please click here. |
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RVA Campaign Promotes Richmond's Creative Side
 In February, Venture Richmond and a group of top local advertising execs unveiled the RVA Creates campaign, aimed at showcasing the creative spirit of Richmond through real life testimonials and examples of Richmond innovation and creativity.
Joined by the VCU Brandcenter, the Martin Agency, The Hodges Partnership, Elevation, JHI, West Cary Group and the Office of Mayor Dwight C. Jones, Venture Richmond's goal for this campaign is to "promote and stimulate Richmond's creativity and make the city a hub for innovative people and businesses." To read the full Richmond Times Dispatch article, please click here. Click here to visit the RVA Creates website. |
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Mayor Dwight C. Jones Click here to view the Mayor's Monthly E-Newsletter. |
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ECD Spotlight: Sheila Shepperson 
Click here to learn more about Sheila Shepperson, Project Development Manager within the Business Attraction, Retention & Expansion Team and manager of the Richmond Business First Program. |
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Featured Media Upload 
Click here to view the interview with Christy Coleman, President of the American Civil War Center at Historic Tredegar. |
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Photo Credits
NCAA Pep Rally: Kyle Brackett
Tourism Commission Press Conference: Jemila Woodson
Three James Center: CBRE
Refinery Website
Richmond Slave Trail: Jeannie Welliver
RVA Creates Website
RVADowntown:VentureRichmond
U of R: Kyle Brackett
Sheila Shepperson: Action Photography
Christy Coleman: Dominion Resources
Easter on Parade: Richmond Convention & Visitors Bureau
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