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Virginia Coalfield:
Virginia’s e-Region: electronic
IT, energy, education
Built on solid energy resources and
propelled by IT giants Northrop Grumman and CGI, who
have discovered this dynamic location for their multimillion-dollar
technology centers, Virginia’s e-Region is undergoing
an economic transition.
Key attributes of Virginia’s e-Region
as a business location are electronic information technology,
energy and education. Another leading factor
is this southwestern Virginia region’s response
to a growing IT presence and to healthy existing business
expansion. Community leaders have put together task
forces to help the success of new businesses, supporting
and developing a technology-savvy workforce and planning
for the accompanying quality of life issues of the next
20 years.
Fast track educational programs for these technology
jobs, a new software engineering bachelor’s degree
program, outstanding new business technology parks and
a $1 billion independent power project are leading to
transition and growth in Virginia’s e-Region —
and helping to spread the word about this energetic
business location. Highlights include:
Electronic Information Technology
• Northrop Grumman is building its Southwest Enterprise
Solutions Center in a new technology park in Lebanon.
This $33 million center will employ more than 400 and
is considered a core asset for this IT leader that is
under contract with the Commonwealth of Virginia to
streamline its IT system.
• Software developer CGI is building the Southwest
Virginia Center of Excellence in Lebanon and will employ
more than 300; nearly 200 are already employed in a
temporary facility.
• A regional physicians’ firm, Holston Medical
Group, is creating a center that will provide electronic
medical records data for a multi-state region.
• Wireless initiatives and widespread fiber deployment
are under way.
Energy
• Coal and natural gas resources provide a foundation
for the region and play a critical role in national
energy and economic security.
• Dominion Southwest Virginia Power Project is
a $1 billion investment that plans to utilize hybrid
clean coal technology.
• The e-Region is a strategic location for clean
coal and alternative fuel initiatives.
Education
• The University of Virginia’s College at
Wise offers the only undergraduate software engineering
program in Virginia. Software engineering is said to
be the top job in the nation.
• FastTrack software programming education is
offered through regional community colleges.
• Technology training centers are under development.
• New graduate schools – a law school and
pharmacy school are operating in the region; dental
school is under discussion.
Virginia’s e-Region is marketed by the Virginia
Coalfield Economic Development Authority, a unique organization
that can provide funding opportunities if job creation
and investment criteria are met. Recent investments
include a $1 million workforce development and training
grant, $4 million for development of a technology training
center, $5.7 million for development of a regional,
multi-use business park and $5 million to retrofit a
shell technology building for use as a data center.
Located in beautiful southwestern Virginia less than
a day’s drive from major U.S. cities, Virginia’s
e-Region is standing ready to help businesses find the
solutions they seek. We would love to show you first
hand how locating in Virginia’s e-Region can benefit
your business and your employees’ quality of life.
Check us out on the web at:
www.e-Region.org.
Email us at ITinfo@vaceda.org.
Or call us for information and to schedule a visit to
Virginia’s
e-Region at 800-735-9999. |
