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From The President
Very soon, PDC staff, commissioners, sponsors, as well as, state and federal agency representatives will gather for the annual Summer Conference and I hope, like me, everybody is looking forward to learning, networking and having some fun. We are BACK AT THE BEACH this year at the Virginia Beach Resort Hotel & Conference Center on the Chesapeake Bay! The Program Committee has a great event planned as this year's conference explores Working with our Local, State, and Federal Partners to Promote Regional Collaboration. In addition to the daytime program, we've planned some fun for Thursday night. The evening event will begin with a reception sponsored by VC3, followed by dinner and then Beach Games. Participate in the Corn-Hole or Softball Toss tournaments or just have fun playing Ladderball or Can Jam on the beach (sign up to participate in one of the tournaments at the conference registration desk). Be sure to register for the conference today!
PDCs/RCs have had a good year. Last year's Summer and Winter Conferences were successful events with meaningful programs and strong attendance. Many of our PDC/RC staff attended the Annual Training Conference in June to hone their skills and discuss updates and best practices.
PDC/RC executive directors have been meeting with state agency staff throughout the year to renew and enhance relationships; continuing to promote the message of regional collaboration. These outreach efforts will continue as VAPDC moves forward.
VAPDC continues the process of strategic planning to ensure the organization and its members are on the right track. I'd like to offer our appreciation to Bill Leighty, Lane Ramsey, and Bob Holsworth from DecideSmart. This work would not have been possible without their expert guidance.
We also owe a great deal of thanks to our sponsors, many of whom have become friends over the last couple of years. Thank you Draper Aden Associates; Berkley Group; Virginia Resources Authority; Dewberry; VC3; Virginia Bicycling Federation; VDHCD; VHDA; RK&K Engineers; McCormick Taylor, Inc.; and the Virginia Tech Office of Economic Development. We truly appreciate your assistance and support.
Thank you all for your work and your support. I look forward to seeing you soon at the Summer Conference or other VAPDC event.
Billy Martin
President, VAPDC
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Thank You 2016 Sponsors
PLATINUM
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Virginia's Planning District Commissions
Lenowisco PDC
Cumberland Plateau PDC
Mount Rogers PDC
New River Valley PDC
Roanoke Valley-Alleghany RC
Central Shenandoah PDC
Northern Shenandoah Valley PDC
Northern Virginia RC
Rappahannock-Rapidan RC
Thomas Jefferson PDC
Region 2000 LGC
West Piedmont PDC
Southside PDC
Commonwealth PDC
Richmond Regional PDC
George Washington RC
Northern Neck PDC
Crater PDC
Middle Peninsula PDC
Accomack-Northampton PDC
Hampton Roads PDC
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VAPDC Connections
VAPDC Connections is published quarterly by the Virginia Association of Planning District Commissions.
The deadline for the next issue of the newsletter is
October 15, 2015
Please share your news with your peers by submitting your articles to VAPDC.
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Visit
often for updates and news!
See 'What's New' and check out the VAMPO Site link! |
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VAPDC 2015 Summer Conference
August 5-7, 2015 | Virginia Beach, Virginia
We're BACK AT THE BEACH for the
2015 VAPDC Summer Conference!
Held at the beautiful
Virginia Beach Resort Hotel & Conference Center
2800 Shore Drive
Virginia Beach, Virginia 23451
on the Chesapeake Bay!
The program committee has a great event planned as this year's conference explores
Working with our Local, State, and Federal Partners to Promote Regional Collaboration
Conference registration is OPEN!
For Complete Conference Details and to Register,
CLICK HERE
Make hotel reservations now at 800-468-2722
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NRVRC Name Change Unveiling and Annual Award Recipients
On May 13, 2015 the New River Valley Regional Commission board of directors hosted a dinner event modeled after a food truck rodeo at the Hotel Floyd to honor their annual award recipients. During the awards ceremony the New River Valley Planning District Commission formally announced the agency name change to the New River Valley Regional Commission. The new tagline is, "Strengthening the Region through Collaboration." Approximately 100 local government elected officials, state and federal representatives, and planning commission chairs were in attendance.
Mr. Ken Anderson, founder and CEO of Anderson and Associates in Blacksburg, VA, received the Citizen of the Valley award. This award is given to a citizen within the New River Valley who has made significant contributions to the betterment of the region. He established the
 engineering firm Anderson and Associates in 1968 from his home in Blacksburg while working on his Master's degree at Virginia Tech. Mr. Anderson has been a driving force in economic development and progress for Southwest Virginia over the past four decades. Countless engineering projects for infrastructure such as public water and sewer, industrial parks, roads, and railways conducted by Anderson and Associates have directly shaped economic opportunities for the region. He has also served the region in numerous economic development leadership roles as Chair for the New River Valley Economic Development Alliance, Co-Vice Chair for the New Century Council, Vice-President of Economic Development for the Virginia Chamber of Commerce, and Chair of the Montgomery County Industrial Development Authority.
Mr. Rick Boucher, 9th Congressional District Representative from 1983-2011, received the Champion of the Valley award. This award is given to an elected official within, or representing, the New River Valley who has greatly assisted communities and residents during their service to the public. During Mr. Boucher's 28 years of service to the 9th District the region benefitted significantly from his representation in Washington, DC. He actively shaped legislation and programs which established the internet and greatly assisted communities in Southwest Virginia in gaining access to the critical infrastructure. In the New River Valley, his office helped the region obtain approximately $11 million in grant funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to deploy world-class broadband fiber. He was a tireless champion of the region when meeting with business prospects and encouraging their location in the region. Dish Networks located in Christiansburg at Montgomery County's Falling Branch Industrial Park is a prime example. He consistently encouraged the establishment of high quality communities not only for the benefit of tourism attraction, but to create places where people would want to call home.
Please contact Kevin Byrd 540-639-9313, ext. 212 for further information.
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Hampton Roads PDC and TPO Fill Regional Executive Director Position
 In April, the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission and the Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization announced the hiring of Robert A. Crum to the position of Executive Director for both agencies. His official start date was July 1, 2015. "Mr. Crum has the perfect experience for this position, in that he has served as the Executive Director of an organization that is structured very similar to ours," said Newport News Mayor McKinley Price, HRTPO Chairman. "We couldn't ask for a better fit."
"Bob embodies the collaborative leadership style needed for the work of the PDC and the TPO. He has made an incredible impact in the Richmond area and is exactly what we need to help realize the region's full potential," said Kenneth Wright, Mayor of Portsmouth and HRPDC Chairman."
Mr. Crum brings considerable experience in community and transportation planning as well as economic development strategies from his most recent position at the Richmond Regional PDC, where he served as Executive Director for over six years. Major accomplishments at RRPDC include: - Formation of the Capital Region Collaborative, a strategic partnership between the RRPDC and Greater Richmond Chamber
- Preparation and approval of the community's first regional Economic Development Strategy
- Formation of a regional emergency management planning program
- Regional investments in the Port of Richmond to leverage this facility as an economic development amenity
- Restructuring of the Richmond Regional Transportation Planning Organization as a transportation policy planning board
"I want to thank the members of the HRPDC and HRTPO Boards for their support and this exciting opportunity to work with the Region's officials as they continue to strengthen the economic health and quality of life of the Hampton Roads Region. The Hampton Roads Region is a tremendous community with unlimited potential, and I am excited to work with the Region's officials, staffs and community stakeholders to make our Region the best it can be," said Crum.
Mr. Crum has approximately 30 years of professional community planning experience, beginning with his time at the Centre Regional Planning Agency in State College, Pennsylvania, where he was responsible for coordinating all aspects of the Agency's regional planning program. In addition, he completed planning and consensus building for a nationally recognized water reuse project and an award winning inter-municipal zoning effort.
Prior to his work in State College, he was Chief of the Planning Division for Indiana County, Pennsylvania where he coordinated County-wide community and solid waste management planning activities. He holds a bachelor's degree from Mansfield University of Pennsylvania in Geography and Regional Planning. |
Save the Date! Don't Miss the 2nd Annual Keep Hampton Roads Beautiful Golf Tournament
by Katie Cullipher, HRPDC Senior Environmental Education Planner,
 We are excited to announce that registration for the2nd Annual Keep Hampton Roads Beautiful Golf Tournament is now open! This year's tournament will take place on Monday, October 12, 2015 at the Greenbrier Country Club in Chesapeake. We'll be bringing back fabulous food, prizes and a great day of golf, all to benefit askHRgreen.org and Keep Virginia Beautiful. The tournament is open to the public and registration includes 18 holes of golf, cart rental, range balls, beverages, prizes and an awards dinner. Sign up for the "Go Green" package and get a mulligan, raffle ticket and entry into the Closest to the Pin, Longest Drive and Putting contests! Register your team online today or for more information about the tournament, visit askHRgreen.org.
Funds raised from the tournament will support local litter prevention, beautification, as well as recycling education and outreach programs right here in Hampton Roads. Last year's proceeds, along with a grant from Keep America Beautiful, are helping launch seven Cigarette Litter Prevention Program projects in the following localities: Hampton, James City County, Newport News, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk and Virginia Beach. The program's proven, strategic approach consistently cuts cigarette butt litter in half, and Hampton Roads is looking forward to achieving that same result. We could not have launched such a wide-reaching project without the generous sponsors and golfers who supported our inaugural tournament.
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Study to Look at the Impact of Cycling Within the Shenandoah Valley Region
A "Bicycling in the Shenandoah Valley" Economic Impact Analysis (EIA) is currently being conducted by the Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission (CSPDC) in conjunction with regional partners from Shenandoah County Tourism, Bryce Resort, Harrisonburg Tourism, Rockingham County, Massanutten Resort, Greater Augusta Regional Tourism, Lexington & the Rockbridge Area Tourism and the Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition.
The study will look at and measure multiple levels of impact that cycling has within the Shenandoah Valley region, particularly on local retail, lodging and restaurant businesses. This study will create a basis for planning future bicycle tourism marketing to achieve the most positive economic effect possible.
A survey aimed at both visitor and resident bicyclists will collect study data. The Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission (RVARC) will provide IMPLAN economic impact modeling services for the CSPDC regarding the economic impact of bicycling in the Central Shenandoah area by using the survey data collected by the CSPDC. The analysis and report will assist the region to better promote its bicycling events and activities as well as to improve the riding experience for bicyclist in the Central Shenandoah Valley.
IMPLAN is an economic impact modeling software widely used by universities, economic consultants, economic development professionals, and others to estimate economic impact of programs and events. IMPLAN was first developed jointly by the University of Minnesota and the U.S. Forest Service in the 1970s and later expanded upon by the Minnesota IMPLAN Group.
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Regional Solid Waste Plan to be Updated
by Julia Hillegass, HRPDC Public Information and Community Affairs Administrator
Solid waste may not be the most glamorous of planning topics but it is an essential element in accommodating future economic and  population growth in Hampton Roads. The Regional Solid Waste Plan for Southeastern Virginia provides a synopsis of existing regional and local solid waste management practices, projections of future solid waste quantities and characteristics, regional solid waste management goals and objectives, a discussion of the solid waste management hierarchy in relation to future management plans and information on the public participation process. The plan is intended to fulfill the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality regulatory requirements for solid waste planning.
The plan is currently being updated through a collaborative effort of the HRPDC staff and the Southeastern Public Service Authority (SPSA) staff. A public hearing will be held on Monday, June 15, 2015 at 5:30 p.m. at the HRPDC/SPSA offices, 723 Woodlake Drive, Chesapeake, VA. Comments about the plan will be accepted from May 29, 2015 until June 15, 2015. The revised plan will be submitted to the Department of Environmental Quality by July 15, 2015.
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Altruistic Giving in Middle Peninsula
 Coastal public access has always been a priority for the Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission (MPPDC) and beginning in 2000, the Commission directed staff to develop a regional strategy for managing and preserving public access. Thus in 2002, legislation was introduced to create a special purpose political subdivision to focus solely on public access to water. As this legislation was passed in 2003, it created the Middle Peninsula Chesapeake Bay Public Access Authority (MPCBPAA). The MPCBPAA worked to resolve policy conundrums that hinder public access and also focused on acquiring land with grant funds to improve public access. While grant funds for land acquisition have diminished over the years, the MPCBPAA is still successfully acquiring land - and from an unexpected source.
Within the Middle Peninsula, private property owners have gifted sizeable tracts of waterfront property to the Middle Peninsula Chesapeake Bay Public Access Authority (MPCBPAA). Between 2006 and July 2015, the MPCBPAA has been gifted 33 separate parcels totaling over 162 acres and valued at $3,657,000 with limited or no deed encumbrances. Additionally the MPCBPAA has 4 more pending parcels to add to their list of public access sites that would add 100 acres and $1,181,750 in land value to the MPCBPAA portfolio. The largest donation to date was 96.81 acres of serene waterfront property on the Severn River in Gloucester County in February 2013. Valued at $1.6 million, this property consisted of 21 parcels with three dwellings as well as pristine coastal ecosystems.
While some property owners are interested in donating properties to receive tax benefits, others are interested in supporting the MPCBPAA recognizing the importance of improving water public access for the citizens of the Commonwealth. However, whatever the reasons for the donations, without them neither the Commonwealth nor local governments could ever afford to purchase such desirable land for the public's benefit.
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Pet Owners Pledge to Keep Waterways Cleaner
by Rebekah Eastep, HRPDC Environmental Planner
askHRgreen.org and its local partners launched the second annual Scoop the Poop Pledge campaign on May 19, 2015. This regional effort has been organized for the past two years by askHRgreen.org, the environmental education campaign administrated through HRPDC, Elizabeth River Project, Norfolk SPCA and several other local watershed restoration groups and animal shelters. The Scoop the Poop Pledge campaign is an ongoing effort to educate the public about the dangers of leaving pet waste on the ground. Pet waste is one of the leading causes of harmful bacteria in local waterways, leading to the motto of the joint campaign: "From Rover to River - No Poop Left Behind."
This online pledge to help clean up local waterways has been a great success. Citizens who sign the pledge have committed to scooping the poop every time, always brining poop bags when they are on-the-go with a pet and sharing the important message of scooping the poop with other pet owners in their lives. To date, more than 650 pet owners in Hampton Roads have signed the pledge to scoop the poop and become advocates for this regional initiative to improve local water quality.
To take the Scoop the Poop Pledge or to learn more about what you can do at home, in your yard or at the office to keep our local waterways clean, visit askHRgreen.org.
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Sea Level Rise Flooding Adaptation Forum Looks at Megaprojects
By Joe Turner, HRPDC Communications Manager
On May 22, 2015, the Sea Level Rise/Flooding Adaptation Forum held  an all-day discussion on, Megaprojects - Protective Structures for Hampton Roads, at the Virginia Modeling and Simulation Center in Suffolk. The Forum is a partnership of the HRPDC, Old Dominion University (ODU) and Virginia Sea Grant.
The HRPDC's Whitney Katchmark and representatives from ODU and Virginia Sea Grant welcomed attendees and provided an overview of the day long workshop and series of presentations from representatives of the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill (UNC-CH), HNTB, Moffatt and Nichol and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS). Some highlights included:
VIMS provided a preview of its analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of a storm surge barrier across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. The final analysis will consider impacts to marshes, submerged aquatic vegetation, fish species, and the effectiveness at reducing flooding in storms.
Both Bob Ivarson (HNTB) and Rick Luettich (UNC-CH) discussed the infrastructure in New Orleans. Mr. Ivarson focused on the $13B spent on the federally funded system of floodwalls, gates and pump stations that protect the area. Mr. Luettich discussed the local funding mechanisms and challenges of getting new taxes approved to maintain the infrastructure. Once the Army Corps of Engineers completes construction, the infrastructure is handed off to localities. The system around New Orleans has over 400 closures (i.e. gates across roads and rail lines) that have to be maintained and closed to protect from flooding caused by storm events. With three parishes (similar to counties) located within the flood wall system, another challenge has developed as one of the 3 parishes has failed, on two occasions, to vote in a tax increase required to maintain its part of the system.
Brian Joyner of Moffatt and Nichol led a discussion of hypothetical solutions for Hampton Roads. He suggested using the PIANC decision-making tool (for more information about PIANC and the decision making tool visit their website, www.PIANC.org) to evaluate potential storm surge barrier locations such as the entrance to the Hampton Roads harbor (near the HRBT), the Elizabeth River, or Lafayette River.
The Forum discussed how large protection structures might reduce impacts during Hurricanes and Nor'easters, but concluded that smaller scale infrastructure will still be necessary to reduce recurrent tidal flooding at a neighborhood scale.
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Grants Training in Fredericksburg, VA - August 17-18, 2015
 Rappahannock Regional Criminal Justice Academy and Grant Writing
USA will present a two-day grants workshop in Fredericksburg, August 17-18, 2015. This training is applicable to grant seekers across all disciplines. Attend this class and you'll learn how to find grants and write winning grant proposals.
Click here for full event details.
Beginning and experienced grant writers from city, county and state agencies as well as nonprofits, K-12, colleges and universities are encouraged to attend.
Multi-enrollment discounts and discounts for Grant Writing USA returning alumni are available. Tuition payment is not required at the time of enrollment.
Tuition is $455 and includes all materials: workbook and accompanying 420MB resource CD that's packed full of tools and more than 200 sample grant proposals. Seating is limited, online reservations are necessary.
More information including learning objectives, class location, graduate testimonials and online registration is available here.
Contacts:
Janet Darling
Grant Writing USA
888.290.6237 toll free
[email protected]
Tom Einwechter
Rappahannock Regional Criminal Justice Academy
540.371.2875
[email protected]
More than 10,000 agencies across North America have turned to Grant Writing USA for grant writing and grant management training.
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Little Book of Big Data Released
By Joe Turner, HRPDC Communications Manager
 The HRPDC Economics Department has released a new publication, The Little Book of Big Data-The Hampton Roads Benchmarking Report at Your Fingertips. As alluded to by the title, the new publication distills the larger, more detailed Hampton Roads Benchmarking Report, an annual collection of socioeconomic data for the region, into a handy a 92-page pocket size reference guide of the most frequently requested information.
"The idea behind the new publication was to provide our Commission members and regional leaders with quick access to data they need to make informed decisions for their jurisdictions and the region," said HRPDC Chief Economist, Greg Grootendorst. "I'm hopeful that this little booklet will not only help to inform the decision-making process in Hampton Roads, but will also familiarize people with the HRPDC's mission and capabilities."
With a limited production run, The Little Book of Big Data is available to Commission members, regional leaders and to all local economic development teams while supplies last. Printed pieces are available to the general public as supplies dictate, but a PDF version of the booklet can be found HERE.
The 2015 Hampton Roads Benchmarking Report is scheduled for electronic distribution in June. When available, the new version can be found under the Data/Info section on the HRPDC website or by direct link HERE.
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Dutch Dialogues Wrap Up, Present Region with Options to Consider
by Joe Turner, HRPDC Communications Manager
Dutch Dialogues: Virginia Life at Sea Level wrapped up on Tuesday,  June 23, 2015, providing city officials in Norfolk, Hampton and throughout the Hampton Roads region with ideas for long-terms solutions to manage and adapt to regional sea level rise.
Dialogues was a workshop that drew together a team of planners, engineers and architects from the Netherlands along with counterparts from Hampton Roads and Virginia, to examine flooding challenges in specific areas of the cities of Norfolk and Hampton. After the examinations, research and discussions, the cities, and really, the region gained crucial feedback and long-term solutions on how to live and thrive with water.
After evaluating the Tidewater Drive District in Norfolk and Newmarket Creek watershed in Hampton and Newport News, participants proposed multilayered solutions such as starting a regional sea level rise compact, with frontline city managers and business alliances, working together to address regional concerns.
Other solutions proposed include adding more wetlands, in addition to preserving the quality of those that already exist and implementing multi-use roadways that incorporate walking and bike paths. As well as, creating "bioswales" or landscaped retention areas; adding green roofs; and using rain barrels to retain water and reduce demand.
"We have our work cut out for us, but it is exactly what we hoped for," said Norfolk City Manager Marcus Jones.
To review Dutch Dialogues: Virginia presentations, plans and pictures Click HERE.
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Backyard Rain Garden, Part 1 - Help! I Need a Backhoe!
by Tiffany Smith, HRPDC Water Resources Planner
A rain garden - sounds lovely, doesn't it? Thanks to the assistance of the Elizabeth River Project and their River Star Homes program, I now have a lovely rain garden in my back yard that collects stormwater runoff and helps protect local waterways.
For years, I thought about DIY-ing a rain garden in the soggy spot in the back yard, but frankly, I was intimidated by the project. In order to
function properly, a rain garden should meet certain design requirements (location, size, depth of special soil media, plant selection, etc.). The wet weather this spring finally prompted me to take action - I bookmarked the askHRgreen.org rain garden information page and started researching! I read the Rain Gardens Technical Guide; downloaded the free rain garden landscape plans and native plant guide; took a class to learn about sustainable landscaping, determined my soil type, and drew up a site analysis for my yard.
Long story short, I learned that my rain garden would not be a DIY project. I cringed when I totaled up my estimates of how much dirt needed to be removed and replaced with stone, special soil, and mulch. It would take my husband and me and our little pickup truck forever to complete such a project. I needed help. Professional help. With heavy equipment.
Fortunately, River Star Homes offers special opportunities in the
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Installing the new soil mix.
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Easter Branch and Lafayette sections of the Elizabeth River Watershed for homeowners to help to reduce water pollution and restore the health of the Elizabeth River. I applied for their rain garden cost share program ( learn more), and staff from the Elizabeth River Project assessed my yard and provided a list of recommendations, including a rain garden. With their partner, Bay Environmental, Inc., an appropriate location was selected. All of the technical design considerations were addressed and installation would be done by professionals. I was so excited!
On day 1 of the rain garden installation, the 16-foot by 6-foot area was excavated to a depth of 30 inches and approximately 10 cubic yards of clay soil was removed that afternoon. The next day, 2 cubic yards of
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Planting the native plants in the new rain garden
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stone was spread across the bottom of the excavated area and topped with 6 cubic yards of a special soil mix that that increases water capacity and promotes infiltration. Finally, 1 cubic yard of hardwood mulch was spread over the rain garden site. A variety of colorful, flowering native plants were installed on the third day. The plants have quite a way to "grow," but it's already a very lovely scene.
Want to see the finished garden, the planting plan, and the native plants in this rain garden? Stay tuned for the next segment of this post, "Backyard Raingarden, Part 2: Hard Working and Pretty Native Plants." I'll have update on how the plants are handling the summer heat.
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The Spirit of Roanoke Welcomed in Old Towne Petersburg
In early May of this year, Petersburg Area Regional Tourism, a component of the Crater Planning District Commission, received a telephone call from Roanoke's Virginia Museum of Transportation asking if we might entertain the idea of having two excursion trains pulled by the historic Norfolk & Western Class J 611 steam locomotive come to Old Towne Petersburg on June 13 and June 14. "To say that we were ecstatic would be an understatement" said Martha Burton, tourism director, and the grand adventure began.
Old Towne Petersburg sits alongside the Norfolk Southern rail line and the grand old Union Train Station, which has been beautifully restored, is one of the "jewels" of the neighborhood. There are sixteen charming, unique restaurants in Old Towne, all locally owned and offering a variety of cuisines. They were the "critical players" as the trains were scheduled to arrive each day at 12:30 PM and passengers would have two hours to dine and explore. Each restaurant was visited and provided information about who was coming, how many, when, and how much time they would be visiting.
There was lots of coordination necessary. The Norfolk Southern folks had to figure out where the train would stop and where passengers would disembark. The Petersburg Fire Department had to determine which fire hydrants would be used to provide water for the steam locomotive to use on its return trips. Petersburg Area Transit had to arrange for buses to move passengers around in Old Towne, so that restaurants on the outer edges would be accessible. The Police Department had to prepare for the onslaught of train enthusiasts who would drive to Petersburg to see the train and would need places to park. The PDC's GIS manager prepared a street map of Old Towne with the location of each restaurant.
When the Transportation Museum initially called they said that each train would have 850 passengers and they were confident that demand for tickets would be strong. Well, as it turned out, the tickets sold out and they added a car for each trip, so approximately 900 passengers were on the 20-car trains each day. The Museum brought the train to Lynchburg and each trip was from Lynchburg to Petersburg. Passengers boarded the train each morning at 6:30 AM for the trip. Passengers came from all over the United States, France and Canada. There were people aboard who worked for the railroad, people who had ridden trains pulled by the 611, grandparents and grandchildren, people who LOVE trains.
Martha Burton rode the train each day and visited every car to distribute the street maps, talk about the Petersburg Area, and invite all of the passengers to return to the Petersburg Area in their cars when they would have more time to visit! The two days were amazing for Old Towne; the restaurants were full and the shops were busy. Petersburg National Battlefield had reenactors in Old Towne each day with cannon to welcome the train. It was not hundreds of people who drove in to see the train; the police estimate that two thousand people came to see the train. Additionally, along the entire route people were stopped along the roads, at intersections, in the towns, out in their yards to see the 611.
The Class J 611 was one of 14 Class J steam passenger locomotives built for the Norfolk & Western Railway and it is the only one in existence today. It was built at the N & W Roanoke Shops, rolling out on May 29, 1950. It pulled the Powhatan Arrow, Cavalier and Pocahontas between Cincinnati and Norfolk. The Spirit of Roanoke now resides at the VA Museum of Transportation. Because of the Museum's generosity, the Petersburg Area now has 1,800+ new friends! We loved having the 611 come to Petersburg again, as it did many times in the 1950s, and we would welcome her back anytime.
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Hampton Roads Employment Weakness in 2014
by James Clary, HRPDC Senior Economist
Sequestration began in March 2013, however the first full year of
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Source: Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages
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impact was in 2014. This resulted in cuts to spending by the Department of Defense, and caused regional employment (1) to decline by 0.1%, even as average wages increased. The greatest employment decline occurred in Norfolk, where employment fell by 2,126 jobs (-1.6%). Williamsburg had the greatest percentage decline in employment, with a 719 job reduction in the city, or 5.3%.
Virginia Beach experienced the most significant numerical increase in employment, adding 1,574 jobs (+0.9%), while the greatest percentage job increase was experienced by Surry County, which grew by 5.2% (+110).
 The Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages also shows how incomes vary throughout the region, with Surry having the highest average incomes ($1,331) as a result of the Nuclear Power Plant. Lower wages in Poquoson are a result of the small employment base within the city.
(1) The Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages provides estimates on civilian employment and wages for each county in the United States using the data collected from the unemployment insurance program. Significant portions of regional employment, such as uniformed military and self-employed, are not included in this data set.
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