June has been a busy month so far here in Richmond. On June 4th, we hosted the 5th Annual Virginia Health Care Conference, where more than 450 people joined us to discuss advancing Virginia's triple aim of better health, better care, and lower cost amid sweeping changes in the health care industry. You can view the presentations, videos, and photos from the day here.

We also continue to travel around the state to promote the principles outlined in Blueprint Virginia as we work to keep Virginia as a best state for business and develop the economy of the future. I recently spoke in Northern Virginia on building the new economy there. You can read more on that event here.

 There are a number of federal and state issues and other programs that we continue to track and stay involved in. One issue that has been at the forefront recently is Trade Promotion Authority (TPA). In Virginia, trade supports more than 1.1 million jobs and we exported more than $35 billion in goods and services last year alone. Renewing Trade Promotion Authority allows for trade agreements that will open new markets to Virginia goods and level a playing field that is too often tilted against American businesses and workers. In a letter last month, the Virginia Chamber of Commerce urged members of the Virginia Congressional Delegation to support the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015.

While we continue to wait for final action on TPA, we want to thank our elected leaders who have been supportive of TPA, including Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine and Reps. Scott Rigell, Randy Forbes, Robert Hurt, Bob Goodlatte, Don Beyer, Barbara Comstock and Gerry Connolly. We will continue to track this important issue and keep you updated.

Below, you'll find a number of other items that we are keeping an eye on and that may be of benefit to your business, including:

• patent trolling
• federal highway and transportation funding
• newly announced EPA regulations on aircraft emissions
• EPA waters of the US rule 
• Employee misclassification 
• Newly announced Virginia Velocity business plan competition
• Virginia Small Business Financing Authority small business loan opportunities
• Talent solutions grant competition for economic development

House Judiciary Committee Approves Goodlatte Patent Reform Bill by Overwhelming, Bipartisan Vote

Virginia Small Business Financing Authority Loan Program Opportunities

Established in 1984 by the Virginia Small Business Financing Authority Act, the Virginia Small Business Financing Authority (VSBFA) is the Commonwealth's primary mechanism for economic development financing programs. VSBFA's mission is to create new Virginia jobs and retain existing ones by helping creditworthy businesses access financing they would not have otherwise obtained. The VSBFA is made up of a small staff of experienced commercial loan officers and credit administration staff, and has a Governor-appointed Board of Directors which meets monthly.

There are a number of loan programs available to businesses through the VSBFA. General eligibility requirements include: 

• For-profit businesses--located in VA with fewer than 250 employees in VA at the time of application
• 501(c)3 non-profits--of any size, located in VA
• Industrial Development (or Economic Development) Authorities--of any size, located in VA and desiring assistance in financing economic development projects which are significant to their locality
• Other borrowers and projects which meet requirements as determined by the Board, including entities which:
• exist for the sole purpose of developing or operating a qualified transportation facility under the Public-Private Transportation Act of 1995
• exist for the primary purpose of developing or operating a qualified energy project

Governor McAuliffe announces Talent Solutions Grant Competition for Economic Development

 Governor Terry McAuliffe announced last week that the Governor's Office, in partnership with the Virginia Employment Commission (VEC), will be offering the Commonwealth's first competitive grants designed to help close the skills gap in key industry sectors of critical importance to the Virginia economy and reward and encourage employer-led talent development solutions. These state grants will be matched by private funds and used to provide job training and develop vital workplace skills for prospective and existing employees.  

To align with business priorities, grant awards will be made available to three types of private sector applicants:  

• A group of businesses operating in the same industry sector that comes together out of a shared commitment to design and execute an innovative and highly effective training program to develop a talent pipeline of skilled workers for entry level jobs that can lead to career positions.  

• A group of businesses from different industry sectors that have a common workforce development need and join together to design and execute training to develop shared skill requirements in new job applicants or incumbent workers.  

• An individual employer who has identified a need to lead a skills development initiative with companies who comprise that employer's supply chain.  In this type of grant application, the large employer takes the lead in working with members of its supply chain to identify common critical workplace skills that can be developed through incumbent or pre-employment training. 

A total of $900,000 in grant money is available, with a maximum individual grant award amount of $200,000.  The grants require private sector matching funds equal to or greater than the amount of the awarded grant.  They encourage public-private partnerships and proposals that leverage additional resources through regional workforce development agencies, such as Workforce Development Boards, community colleges or other public or private partners. Applications are due to the VEC on or before September 30, 2015, and awards are expected to be announced by October 23, 2015.  

 More information on the grants can be found here.