“Growing the modeling and simulation industry here in Hampton Roads has always been a team effort… The Hampton Roads Partnership is a key member of that M&S team. HRP continues to be the primary catalyst for bringing together public and private sector representatives to promote this region as a national leader in M&S.”

- John Dannon, Lockheed Martin Center for Innovation and Chair of Virginia Modeling, Analysis and Simulation Center (VMASC) Board of Advisors

"The Hampton Roads Partnership has provided this region with an invaluable resource of both public and private sector leadership to take on enormous challenges in a fiercely competitive economic climate. The Partnership has the opportunity to bring together the public and private sectors to jointly face these challenges in an aggressive and proactive manner. The region must continue to incubate, nurture and support strong leadership and the Partnership continues to be in a unique position to provide that service to the region."

- Dwight Farmer, PE, Executive Director, Hampton Roads Planning District Commission/ Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization

“Since Old Dominion University launched its Virginia Modeling, Analysis and Simulation Center in 1997, a new, high-tech industry has sprung up in southeastern Virginia. Modeling and simulation, or M&S for short, is a sector that has shown not only great results, but also great promise.

A study conducted two years ago showed that 4,500 people were working in M&S in southeastern Virginia and predicted that this number would double, to 9,000, by 2012. The great majority of the jobs pay high wages, so the economic impact of the field is a boon to the region. At ODU and VMASC, we are doing basic research to advance M&S. We are nurturing startup companies. And we are educating a workforce.

In July 2009, we announced that ODU was adding an undergraduate program in modeling and simulation engineering to the graduate programs already in place. We have invested in bricks and mortar, as well, opening an impressive $12 million VMASC facility in northern Suffolk. Old Dominion University is a national leader in M&S and we intend to maintain that distinction.

Without question, the Hampton Roads Partnership has been one of the greatest advocates for this industry since day one.”

- John Broderick, President, Old Dominion University

"The Hampton Roads Partnership has not only been instrumental in helping to create, but helping to disseminate the message that both sides of the James River need to serve as the southernmost termini of the Northeast High-Speed Rail Corridor. This unified message is of tremendous importance as the Commonwealth of Virginia and Virginians for High Speed Rail move forward in working to connect Newport News and South Hampton Roads to Washington, New York, and Boston by high-speed rail."

- Daniel L. Plaugher, Executive Director, Virginian's for High Speed Rail

- Gregory J. Edwards, Director of External Affairs, Virginia Port Authority

“An efficient transportation system helps set the stage for future economic growth. The Hampton Roads Partnership recognizes the importance of developing regional transportation solutions, and over the past few years they have supported several key initiatives that will bring more jobs and local investment to the region.”

- Chip Badger, Director, Virginia Department of Rail & Public Transportation

“With regard to research and technology, Hampton Roads Partnership has played a critical role in moving the regional Modeling & Simulation agenda forward, including its support for ModSim World; and through HRRP, has continued to bridge the gap between the university and business communities in the Sensors and Bioscience Clusters.

The impact has been large; more than 200 companies have participated in some way."

- Dr. Lee Beach, Executive Director, Hampton Roads Research Partnership

"The work done at The Port of Virginia, by nature, is international in its focus. But in order to remain healthy in what is a very trying economic climate, our port must have strong local allies like the Hampton Roads Partnership that continually analyze and advocate for those projects and initiatives that will insure growth and competitiveness. A large part of that effort is the work done by the Partnership to educate the region’s governments, businesses and residents of the larger benefits of a healthy port and maritime industry.

By championing these issues under the larger umbrella of regionalism, the Hampton Roads Partnership is one of the port’s strongest allies and this helps pave the way for the continued growth and expansion of this port. Whether promoting infrastructure improvements, transportation strategies, workforce development, or dredging in preparation for large cargo ships, the Partnership’s efforts serve to strengthen the port’s competitive edge. As one of the best examples of regionalism in practice, a growing port likewise affirms the good work of the Partnership.

The Partnership is forward-thinking organization that understands the prosperity of the region and the port are directly linked – as the port grows so do the fortunes of Hampton Roads. The Partnership’s support of deep shipping channels – dredging -- intermodal economic development; planned multi-use logistics parks; the expansion of Craney Island, and development rail projects like the Heartland Corridor, the National Gateway will have direct and positive economic impact on the port and our region. In addition to supporting physical infrastructure improvements, the Partnership has provided support to the Virginia Port Authority to make a unified regional appeal to current port-users and prospects in targeted markets.”

- Jerry Bridges, Executive Director, Virginia Port Authority

“The Hampton Roads Partnership is a key enabler of Technology Based Economic Development in the region. It facilitates interactions between universities, federal laboratories and technology companies that contribute to economic growth.

It has aided established technology sectors like modeling, simulation and sensors applications, and provides unique resources that benefit emerging new technologies, including bioscience and robotics.

Collectively, its activities promote economic diversity in all of Hampton Roads.”

- William Wasilenko, PhD, Associate Dean for Research-EVMS, Bioscience Cluster Director

"Square One was founded by the Hampton Roads Partnership in 1999 with annual funding from a Regional Competitiveness Program (RCP) Grant until 2002. Square One was one of ten recipients to receive RCP funding and is now the only entity that still exists from this original grant.

Square One’s focus continues to be on improving children’s health and school readiness outcomes in the Hampton Roads area and across the Commonwealth of Virginia. Square One was the first program in Hampton Roads to publicly report outcomes data on school readiness, with permission from local municipalities and school divisions. After four or five years of collecting “regional” data, the state began reporting outcomes data. Square One’s current emphasis is on providing high-quality, research-based professional development training to early childhood educators, early intervention staff, home visiting agencies, and others who work with young children ages 0-5. To date, Square One has provided professional development training to over 6,300 participants.

The funding provided by the Hampton Roads Partnership to Square One started an awareness of the importance of early care and education in this region. The importance of early literacy was the initial focus and continues to be a strong focus ten years later."

- Marty LaGiglia, Director, Square One, a division of the Virginia Business Coalition on Health

"By investing in our youngest citizens, prenatal to five, our region will create a more educated and highly skilled future workforce capable of competing in the global economy. Without early care and education many parents can’t work and the affects the bottom line of today’s businesses.

The Hampton Roads Partnership works alongside Smart Beginnings South Hampton Roads to move our state to make significant, strategic public investments in our youngest citizens.

During the 2012 General Assembly session, the Partnership will again play a pivotal role in moving the early childhood agenda forward to ensure all of our region’s children have access to high quality early care and education."

- Lisa Howard, Executive Director, Smart Beginnings South Hampton Roads