Leaders push for more jobs in Virginia

RICHMOND, VA (WWBT)- A new partnership could mean more jobs for college grads and more business opportunities for companies considering Virginia.??

All public universities in the state are joining forces with state economic leaders to say "yes" to Virginia.This program even involves the white house. One of the organizers met with President Obama to work out the details.

Like most college seniors, Marketing Major Ibrahim Althwaini is thinking about life after graduation. He's from Saudi Arabia, but would like to work in Virginia but that means finding a good job:

"These opportunities ? I'm sure everyone would appreciate them in Richmond," said Althwaini. "We need that.??

Now his school could help grow the jobs for their graduates. A joint marketing plan brings together economic developers and public colleges to bring new business to Virginia, and expand the ones already here.?

"The idea is to bring universities together on an economic development platform so we can have a bigger footprint in the marketplace and talk about Virginia globally," said Virginia Economic Development Partnership President and CEO, Martin Briley.

The focus is to combine the strengths of business - and Virginia's graduates - a collaboration of the best the state has to offer. One key example is a Rolls Royce plant that opened in Prince George.?

"That's a great example of universities working with VEDP economic development locally and state-wide to come up with a reason for Rolls Royce to come here beyond the normal," said Secretary of Commerce and Trade James Cheng.??

Governor Bob McDonnell has added $230 million to the biennial budget to support public universities and incentives to research target areas that could bring top jobs to Virginia.??

Now it's up to state and education leaders to pass the word along to companies and give them a good reason to open up shop in Virginia.??

The agreement will be in effect until June of 2014.

Details outlined in the memorandum of understanding

Copyright 2012 WWBT NBC12.? All rights reserved.

Source: http://downtown.nbc12.com/news/news/87099-leaders-push-more-jobs-virginia

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