Programs

Hanover Business Council Issues

KEY ISSUES

Education

The Hanover Business Council recognizes the important link between quality childhood development and economic vitality. To learn more about how your business can differentiate itself and become involved in student success, please contact Debbie Jackson, Program Manager - Hanover Business Council. > Learn more about Hanover County Public Schools

The Georgetown School Mentoring Program :: Few bonds in life are more influential than those between a young person and a positive, adult mentor. As the mentor you develop into a caring, trusted friend devoting time to a young person. Although mentors may fill a number of differing roles, all mentors have the same goal in mind: to help a young person achieve their full potential and discover their strengths. The mentor’s main purpose is to help a young person define individual goals and finds way to achieve them.

Partners-in-Education Program :: The Partners-in-Education program is vital to our schools, our students, and our community. Each partnership is focused on one or more of the following goals: enhancing the educational experience of all students through greater exposure to the working community; establishing a good working relationship between schools and the workplace; involving business in school programs and decision that benefit them; developing and promoting linkages to from the school to the workplace; and providing opportunities and resources to match the needs, interests, and resources of the schools and communities.

Principal for a Day :: An initiative of the Hanover County Public Schools and the Hanover Business Council, the Principal for a Day program is designed to create an awareness and understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing education today and encourages business-education partnerships. The Principal for a Day program invites executives and business leaders to shadow principals for one day to gain a better understanding of the rewards and demands of educational leadership in the 21^st century. The goal of the program is for participants to translate their one day experience into long-term relationships that enhance the learning environments at their schools and support student achievement. An initial pilot program with two elementary, one middle, and one high school will be conducted this program year.

The Hanover Center for Trades and Technology :: The new Hanover Center for Trades and Technology (HCTT) is the culmination of a dream more than forty years in the making to provide trades-based programs in Hanover County. Continuing to invest in the youth of Hanover County is of the utmost importance and this new, state-of-the-art facility certainly adds to the impressive educational experience available to the Hanover community of learners. The curriculum offered at the HCTT fills a vital role in the training for trades based industries. The Hanover Business Council maintains an open dialog with the trade and technology program in Hanover County and works to promote awareness in our community of the training and services provided by the school.

Government Affairs

The Hanover Business Council identifies and addresses issues of interest to the business community within Hanover County and advocates for solutions with local, state, and federal elected and appointed officials. The council also engages with Hanover County Public Schools, Sheriff’s office, Department of Economic Development, Community Services Board, and Hanover County government to advise the Hanover Business Council on key issues pending before these agencies.

Engaging with Virginia Senate and House of Delegates Elected Officials Representing Hanover County :: The Hanover Business Council and other business leaders from the county meet each year with state elected officials representing Hanover County in advance of the General Assembly session to discuss legislative issues of concern. In addition, a similar post-session meeting is held to better understand positions and actions taken by our legislators on issues of importance and make them aware that the business community is following their actions.

• The Economy…It’s Impact on Virginia’s Budget by Delegate Chris Peace > read more

• A Review of the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Budget by Senator Ryan McDougle > read more

• Urban Development Areas > read more

Stormwater Management Regulations :: The Hanover Business Council is closely following the issue of stormwater management regulations and their potential impact on economic development in the county. Read an overview of the new, proposed regulations and their impact.

• Stormwater Management Requirements Fact Sheet > read more

• Stormwater Management Talking Points prepared by Homebuilders Association of Richmond >> read more

Hanover County Comprehensive Plan :: The Hanover Business Council supports the continued implementation of the Hanover County Comprehensive Plan as vital to the success and growth of business in the county. Hanover County Comprehensive Plan 2007-2027 Adopted March 28, 2007 >> read plan

Hanover County Economic Development Strategic Plan :: The Hanover Business Council recognizes and supports the importance of creating a solid economic base to ensure the economic viability and sustainability of Hanover County’s unique quality of life. Hanover County must embrace its business sector as a vital component of a balanced community and commit to policies that reinforce the County’s positive business climate. > read Economic Development Strategic Plan

The Workforce Subcommittee :: a subcommittee of the Government Affairs, addresses the importance of providing, organizing, and marketing available resources for those in search of employment and businesses in need of qualified talent. The committee continues to develop effective resources for job seekers, employees, and employers.

Soft skills play a vital role for professional success and help one to excel in the workplace, and the skills and characteristics needed to make a good employee cannot be underestimated. Good soft skills in the highly competitive corporate world will help you stand out in today’s job market. The most common traits mentioned by virtually every employer include a positive work ethic, a good attitude, and the desire to learn and be trained. Below are a collection of articles offered by Polly White, a Partner in the Richmond Performance Group; a management consulting firm specializing in strategy, process improvement and people development. The series of articles focuses on finding, getting, and keeping a job.

Finding a job
Finding your Next Job in Today’s Tough Economy – part 1
Finding your Next Job in Today’s Tough Economy – part 2
Finding your Next Job in Today’s Tough Economy – part 3

Getting a job
What type of resume do you have
Your Mother was Right – First Impression Do Matter

Keeping a job
No One Will Care if I am a Few Minutes Late
The Five Basics to Better Listening

Policy Position Statements

Central Virginia Transportation Authority :: The Hanover Business Council for the Greater Richmond Chamber strongly supports the formation of a Central Virginia Transportation Authority. The business community recognizes the value in having a regional body with the ability to fund the transportation projects that are a priority for our region independent of the Commonwealth’s budget, where local government can identify and prioritize projects. Given the state budget shortfall it is highly unlikely that the Commonwealth will devote new transportation dollars to projects in

Central Virginia in the near future or that the county alone can supply the funding need to match projected transportation needs. Providing for the long-term viability of our transportation infrastructure is one of the keys to maintaining Hanover County’s favorable business environment and enhanced quality of life.

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