PGI breaks ground on $65 million expansion in Waynesboro

Chris Graham

The $4.55 million package of local and state incentives seems a pretty price to pay, but in the current economic environment, the 41 jobs that will come with the expansion of the PGI facility in Waynesboro might just have extra value. “Manufacturing has taken a big hit nationally. People think of jobs going offshore. But…

McDonnell: Concerns over reliability of federal documents leads to suspension

Chris Graham

Gov. Bob McDonnell announced today that the Department of Motor Vehicles will suspend acceptance of the federally-issued Employment Authorization Document (I-766) as proof of legal presence in the United States, a condition of obtaining a driver’s license or identification card in Virginia. The action, according to the governor’s office, is the result of concerns over…

Conglomerate locates printer subsidiary in Waynesboro

AFP

DASCOM Americas has chosen Downtown Waynesboro for its American headquarters. “We knew that Waynesboro offered a skilled and dedicated workforce. Combine that with Virginia’s business-friendly economic climate, an attractive cost of doing business, close proximity to major distribution arteries and Waynesboro was a solid choice for us,” said Ron Acorn, president of DASCOM Americas, a…

Rights groups urge feds to reject 287(g)

Chris Graham

A coalition of faith groups, civil and human rights organizations, and government officials have asked the Department of Homeland Security to reject Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell’s request to allow the Virginia Department of State Police to enter into a 287(g) agreement with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. A 287(g) agreement, named after a provision of federal…

Jim Bishop: Neither shy nor retiring – not yet, anyway

Jim Bishop

Admittedly, I felt a bit weird several times . . . . . . sitting in the back of Martin Chapel, surveying a swirling sea of backs of heads, many familiar-looking, some not. Some are losing their hair and compensated by growing beards, while others sport speckled-gray or flowing silver manes. Time may heal all…

Text of McDonnell budget speech

AFP

Gov. Bob McDonnell addressed the joint Senate Finance, House Appropriations and House Finance Committees in Richmond on Thursday. Below are the governor’s remarks as prepared for delivery. Thank you. Chairman Colgan, Chairman Putney, Chairman Purkey, members of the General Assembly money committees, ladies and gentlemen: good morning. As is the custom each summer, I come…

The World According To ChrisGraham.com: Hey, we’re a 3-9 football team right now

AFP

“Unemployment remaining unchanged at 9.5 percent and the loss of over 130,000 jobs once again confirms that President Obama’s economic policies have failed to create sustainable job growth.” This is what passes for statesmanship these days, I guess. The quote is from Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele. I get it. He has to say…

Tom Perriello: Focus on job creation

AFP

My top priority as your representative has been finding ways to encourage job growth and economic recovery in Central and Southern Virginia. We have made smart, strategic investments in infrastructure and workforce that position our area to be leaders in alternative energy production, advanced manufacturing, and other industries of tomorrow. But while we are working…

David Toscano: Inside the surplus

AFP

It is always better to have a surplus than have a deficit. Consequently, Governor McDonnell and many Virginians recently celebrated the fact that the Commonwealth will have a surplus at the end of the fiscal year. After all, who would not want a surplus? If we balance our family checkbook at the end of the…